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Thread: Swinging on a Star - Jimmy Van Heusen-Johnny Burke

  1. #1

    Default Swinging on a Star - Jimmy Van Heusen-Johnny Burke

    Can't find this song by searching this forum, does anyone have this chart? Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    967

    Default

    Swinging on a Star, by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen

    I took a few liberties with the harmonies.

    Swinging on a Star-Rev JE - Burke and Van Heusen


    Cheers,
    Jer
    Last edited by engelbach; 12-07-2016 at 11:44 PM.
    Jerry Engelbach
    Pianist • Arranger • Composer
    Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México
    Music Website
    Art Website
    The Internationale Website

  3. #3

  4. #4

    Default Swinging On A Star (J. Burke/J. Van Heusen)

    This is an old swing tune that I remember having to sing in elementary school at an auditorium event; I think I was in 6th grade. The lyrics really stuck with me; it is a kind of cautionary morality tale/Aesop's fable set to music. Bing Crosby had a hit with it back in 1944 or thereabouts.

    I guess this kind of song isn't politically correct these days, but I had the score in one of my fake books and figured I might as well throw it out there. Burke and Van Heusen were no slouches in the songwriting department, and while SWINGING ON A STAR might be one of their lesser creations, it's still pretty catchy.

    Swinging On A Star - J. Burke, J. Van Heusen




    Would you like to swing on a star
    Carry moonbeams home in a jar
    And be better off than you are
    Or would you rather be a mule?

    A mule is an animal with long funny ears
    He kicks up at anything he hears
    His back is brawny but his brain is weak
    He's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak
    And by the way, if you hate to go to school
    You may grow up to be a mule

    Or would you like to swing on a star
    Carry moonbeams home in a jar
    And be better off than you are
    Or would you rather be a pig?

    A pig is an animal with dirt on his face
    His shoes are a terrible disgrace
    He's got no manners when he eats his food
    He's fat and lazy and extremely rude
    But if you don't care a feather or a fig
    You may grow up to be a pig

    Or would you like to swing on a star
    Carry moonbeams home in a jar
    And be better off than you are
    Or would you rather be a fish?

    A fish won't do anything, but swim in a brook
    He can't write his name or read a book
    To fool the people is his only thought
    And though he's slippery, he still gets caught
    But then if that sort of life is what you wish
    You may grow up to be a fish

    And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo
    Everyday you'll meet quite a few
    So you see it's all up to you
    You can be better than you are
    You could be swingin' on a star
    Last edited by GregH3000; 07-11-2019 at 01:40 AM. Reason: Moved to existing thread

  5. #5

    Default

    Please review the guidelines for posting charts:
    https://www.irealb.com/forums/showth...-and-playlists

    Swinging On A Star - J. Burke, J. Van Heusen
    Repeat brackets (when used) come in pairs.
    Endings are numbered 1,2,3 the blank one is used when you need more...

    Tempo is set in the player (before you post), not in the style suggestion. You can add it to the chart using the text (abc) feature.

    Is this what you had in mind?

    Swinging On A Star 1 - J. Burke, J. Van Heusen

    The user can easily alter the player repeat setting to add an instrumental interlude or solo.

    Thanks for sharing your chart
    )BOB
    Last edited by pdxdjazz; 07-11-2019 at 01:49 AM.

  6. #6

    Default

    Very good, sir, so sorry to put you out once again. If there were a face palm emoticon, it would go here ->
    Things that make you go "D'oh!!!"

    I will review as requested of course.
    G.H.

    P.S. I just re-read that posting and just wanted to add that I did search hard for this tune and couldn't find it.
    Last edited by GregH3000; 07-11-2019 at 08:54 AM. Reason: addendum

  7. #7

    Default

    I love it!! Thanks, engelbach; very hip, I especially like the N.C. breaks for the vocalist to come in, and the tag is a classy finale.
    I think I'll just delete my chart and use yours.

    When I listened to the fake book charts last night, I was a little disappointed to tell you the truth. Thanks, again!
    G.H.

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by GregH3000 View Post
    P.S. I just re-read that posting and just wanted to add that I did search hard for this tune and couldn't find it.
    I sometimes have better luck just searching keywords ...less is more
    https://www.irealb.com/forums/showth...-Request-Songs

    Rather than edit a previous post to replace a problem chart and add a corrected chart, it's more helpful to others to follow the discussion and evolution of the chart if subesequent versions are added in new posts.

    The process is valuable.
    )BOB

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    967

    Default

    Thanks, Greg.

    It's a great tune, often neglected. I just tried to modernize it a bit with sus chords.

    Cheers,
    Jer
    Jerry Engelbach
    Pianist • Arranger • Composer
    Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México
    Music Website
    Art Website
    The Internationale Website

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