These are not my words!

I found an interesting article while perusing one of the small papers from my boss' district. I happen to be a big fan of Bing Crosby especially his version of White Christmas. I am going to copy the article. I'm not sure how to cite this source so I'll just let you know it came from the Vici Vision.

Jewish immigrant writes favorite songs

The United States has always been a refue for immigrants seeking freedoms they did not have in their homelands. In 1893, a five-year-old Jewish boy convinced his parents to move from their home in Russion to New York. The young immigrant truly left his mark on America. Irving Berlin was born Israel Baline in Eastern Russia on May 11, 1888, where his father was the cantor in the synagogue. He was one of eight children. After the family moved to New York, his father died. At the age of eight, Irving took to the streets of the Lower East Side of New York City to help earn money to support his mother and family. During the 1900s he worked as a singing waiter in several restaurants, and started his song-writing career.

Berlin had very little formal education and could not read or write music. He played only the black keys on the piano. He composed music on an invention called the transposing piano. It had a lever that moved the keyboard, changing the key signature. "I came here as an immigrant from Russia in 1893, and whatever success I have had as a songwriter I owe to this country," said Berlin. During his writing career he wrote the lyrics and music for more than 900 songs, 19 musicals and the scores of 18 movies. During the holiday season, one of Berlin's songs is played on the radio and television and sung by thousands throughout the world.

"White Christmas" was featured in the movie "Holiday Inn" staring Bing Crosby. It was a huge hit and the song quickly became traditional Christmas music. Berlin knew he had a hit when he wrote the song. The morning after he composed the song, he went to his office and told his secretary, "Grab your pen and take down this song. I just wrote the best song I've ever written...I just wrote the best song anybody's ever written!". "White Christmas" won the Academy Award for the best original song that year. Another favorite, "God Bless America," was written by Berlin in 1938.

"I've tried to express my feelings in 'God Bless America', a song which is not alone a song but an expression of my gratitude to the country that inspired it," said Berlin.

Berlin assigned the copyright to the God Bless America Fund, whic has raised millions of dollars for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Berlin died on September 22, 1989, at the age of 101. He left behind his music and charity that will always play an important role in America.