During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Miller managed to earn a living working as a freelance trombonist in several bands. His first band was formed in 1937 but failed to distinguish itself and eventually broke up.
Following the break-up of his first band, Miller realized that he needed to develop a unique sound, and decided to make the clarinet play a melodic line with a tenor saxophone on the same note, while three other saxophones harmonized. With this sound combination, the Miller band that became the most popular was born in 1938. After a shaky start, it made his new band a nationwide hit.
In 1942, Miller joined the United States Army Air Forces where he continued his musical career with the Army Air Force Band.
On December 15, 1944, Miller was to fly from the United Kingdom to Paris, France, to play for the soldiers who had recently liberated Paris. His plane departed from RAF Twinwood Farm in Clapham, Bedfordshire and disappeared while flying over the English Channel. No trace of the aircrew, passengers or plane has ever been found. Miller's status is missing in action.
His music is still iconic of the time period in which he lived and continues to draw thousands of fans of all age groups.
Glenn Miller was a popular visitor to Bedford and its American Air force bases. He is still remembered to this day by the people of Bedford with a bronze bust displayed on the front of the towns Corn Exchange, and more recently, what remains of the Twinwoods Airfield being renovated as a Glenn Miller Museum and outdoor event site
2) Glenn Miller was a Jamaican reggae and soul artist of the 1960's.
Along with other legendary artists such as Bob Marley & the Wailers and Desmond Dekker he recorded for the Trojan record label.
In An Old Dutch Garden
Glenn Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the moon was dreaming on a distant hill,
When a smile danced by it was then that I saw
Heaven in a pair of wooden shoes.
In an old Dutch garden where the tulips grow
That's where I first whispered that I love you so
For my heart was blue till I gave it to
Then one sad day when summer meets September
I sailed away from a thrill I will remember,
In an old Dutch garden by an old Dutch mill
Every day I pray that you are waiting still
For my heart will yearn until I return
To Heaven in a pair of wooden shoes
The lyrics to Glenn Miller's "In an Old Dutch Garden" evoke a sense of nostalgia and romance. The song is set in an idyllic Dutch landscape, where the moon is shining on a distant hill and the flowers are in full bloom. In this tranquil setting, the singer is reflecting on a love he once had with a woman who wore wooden shoes. The singer describes her as an angel, emphasizing how pure and innocent their love was.
The first stanza of the song describes the moment when the singer first laid eyes on this woman. The subtle imagery of the moon dreaming and a smile dancing creates a dreamlike atmosphere, underscoring the idea that this was a magical moment that the singer cherishes. The line "Heaven in a pair of wooden shoes" is particularly notable as it implies that this woman was so special that she brought a sense of heaven to the mundane world around them.
The second stanza reveals that the singer and this woman fell in love, with the garden serving as a backdrop to their whispered confessions of love. The simplicity of the setting is contrasted with the depth of their emotions, highlighting the enduring power of love.
In the final stanza, the singer laments the fact that he had to leave this woman behind, underscoring the bittersweet nature of their romance. Despite the passage of time, the singer still longs to return to the garden and reunite with his love, indicating the lasting impact that their relationship had on him.
Overall, "In an Old Dutch Garden" is a song that celebrates the beauty of love and the power of memories to sustain us through difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
In an old Dutch garden by an old Dutch mill,
I was in a picturesque scene surrounded by an aged Dutch garden beside an old Dutch mill.
Where the moon was dreaming on a distant hill,
The moon was casting its light while it peacefully sat over a faraway hill.
When a smile danced by it was then that I saw
A smile suddenly appeared, and it was then that I had an epiphany.
Heaven in a pair of wooden shoes.
The true beauty of Heaven was embodied in the form of the pair of wooden shoes I saw.
In an old Dutch garden where the tulips grow
The place where I confidently confessed my love was this ancient Dutch garden, where a variety of tulips bloomed.
That's where I first whispered that I love you so
It was during my stay in the old Dutch garden where I found the courage to say that I love you.
For my heart was blue till I gave it to
Before I met you, I was sad and alone, but my heart became lively when I met you.
An angel in a pair of wooden shoes.
I was lucky enough to find an angel here on Earth, and it was surprising to know they wore wooden shoes.
Then one sad day when summer meets September
We were faced with an inevitable goodbye, the day when summer ends, and September beckons.
I sailed away from a thrill I will remember,
I had to leave the memorable moment behind, but I knew it would be something that I would always cherish.
In an old Dutch garden by an old Dutch mill
Even after I left, I was sure that you were still in the same old Dutch garden beside the ancient Dutch mill.
Every day I pray that you are waiting still
Every single day, I hope and pray that you are still waiting for me, that you still remember our moment together.
For my heart will yearn until I return
I know that I will never forget the love that we shared in the old Dutch garden, and I will yearn for the day we can be together again.
To Heaven in a pair of wooden shoes.
Just like the first time I saw you, that happiness and serenity that you bring, it's like being transported to Heaven, all in a pair of wooden shoes.
Lyrics Âİ Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MACK GORDON, WILHELM GROSZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind