One day when he was 15 years old, Israel was sitting at a picnic table on Makaha Beach playing his ukulele when Jerry Koko stopped by to talk story. Jerry invited Israel over to his house to kanikapila (play music). He then met Moon Kauakahi and Jerry's brother, John Koko. Israel told the boys about his brother, Skippy, and how he could play guitar. After playing togther for awhile, the boys decided to start a group and the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau were born. First consisting of Israel, Skippy, Moon, Mel Amina (Israel's cousin) and Sam Grey, their first big break was being on the Jerry Lewis telethon.
Somewhere Over The Rainbow & What a Wonderful World
Israel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
And the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby, oh
And the dreams that you dream of, dreams really do come true, ooh
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me, oh
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dare to
Oh why, oh why can't I? I
Well, I see trees of green and red roses too
I'll watch then bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Well, I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day, I like the dark
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shakin' hands saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, "I, I love you"
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than we'll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world, world
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me, oh
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
And the dreams that you dare to
Why, oh why can't I? I
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh, uh, uh, eh, uh-uh
Uh-uh-uh-uh, uh-uh-uh-uh
The song "Somewhere over the rainbow / What a wonderful world" is a beautiful combination of two classic tunes. The opening stanza has a sense of innocence and wonder, as if we're being transported to a magical place. The imagery of birds flying and dreams coming true really sets the tone for a song that's about hope and optimism. The next verse talks about wanting to escape from one's troubles and live in a world where everything is wonderful, where even the sky is painted in different hues. The line "where trouble melts like lemon drops" is particularly evocative. The chorus repeats the earlier sentiment of dreaming big and daring to imagine a better world for ourselves.
The second half of the song shifts the focus to the "wonderful world" we already live in. It talks about the beauty in everyday things, like green trees, red roses, blue skies, and white clouds. The colors of the rainbow are not just in the sky but on the faces of people we pass by. The song then talks about the power of human connection, where even small gestures like handshakes are really expressions of love. The final verse reminds us of the cycle of life, where we all have our own ups and downs, but with each new generation, we continue to learn and grow.
The lyrics of the song celebrate the beauty of life and nature, the power of imagination and dreaming, and the importance of love and human connection. It's a timeless message that continues to resonate with audiences across generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
In a world far beyond our reach, where everything seems perfect and peaceful
And the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby, oh
Where the hopes and aspirations you sing yourself to sleep to are waiting to come true
Somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly
Where even the birds are flying higher and freer than they ever could on the earth below
And the dreams that you dream of, dreams really do come true, ooh
And where the impossible dreams that seem unattainable can really come to fruition
Someday I'll wish upon a star
At some point in time, I'll make a wish upon a distant, shining celestial object
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
I'll awaken in a place where there are no worries or fears clouding my judgement
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
In an oasis where the difficulties of life evaporate like citrusy sweetness
High above the chimney top
In a setting that's elevated high above the mundane and monotonous
That's where you'll find me, oh
In this paradise, this utopia, I'll be waiting
And the dreams that you dare to
The goals that seem insurmountable and almost too big to achieve
Oh why, oh why can't I? I
Why can't I also reach for and attain those impossible goals?
Well, I see trees of green and red roses too
I observe the natural beauty around me, from the trees that provide us air and shade to the vibrant, colorful blossoms
I'll watch then bloom for me and you
I'll take pleasure in watching these flowers grow and flourish for everyone in the world, including myself and you
And I think to myself
In this moment, I let my mind wander and reflect
What a wonderful world
And realize that the world is a beautiful and amazing place
Well, I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white
I also appreciate the pristine blue skies and contrasting white clouds
And the brightness of day, I like the dark
And that both the light of daytime and the darkness of nighttime have their own unique splendor
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Rainbows, which display a variety of vibrant and cheerful hues, are a stunning sight
Are also on the faces of people passing by
And these same feelings are also reflected in the diverse people who cross my path
I see friends shakin' hands saying, "How do you do?"
I witness the kindness and warmth displayed between friends who greet each other
They're really saying, "I, I love you"
And really, what they're conveying through these gestures is love and respect for one another
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow
Even in the midst of the world's troubles and strife, there is new life and growth happening around us
They'll learn much more than we'll know
And these little ones have so much potential to experience and learn so much more than what we can even imagine
And I think to myself
Reflecting upon these things makes me ponder
What a wonderful world, world
Just how amazing this world truly is
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Yip Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eventconsultant1
This is why dogs never die:
“Some of you, particularly those who think they have recently lost a dog to “death”, don’t really understand this. I’ve had no desire to explain, but I won’t be around forever and must for those out there to finally understand.
Dogs never die. They don’t know how too. They get tired, very old and their bones hurt. Of course they don’t die. If they did they would not want to always go for a walk, even long after their old bones say “No, no not a good idea. Let’s not go for a walk.” Nope, dogs always want to go for a walk. They might get one step before their aging tendons collapse them into a heap on the floor but that’s what dogs do. They walk.
You see, a walk with you is all there is. A walk with their best friend and the symphony of odor that the world is. Cat poop, another dog’s mark, a rotting chicken bone and you. That is what makes their world perfect and in a perfect world death as no place.

Dogs just get very, very sleepy. That is the thing you see. The don’t teach you that at the fancy university where they explain about quarks and economics. They know so much there that they forget that dogs never die. It is a shame really. Dogs have so much to offer and people just talk too much.
When you think your dog has died, it has really just fallen asleep in the world and now lives in your heart. And by the way, it is wagging its tail madly, you see, and that is why your chest hurts so much and you cry all the time. Who would not cry with a happy dog wagging its tail in their chest? Ouch! Wap, wap, wap, wap, wap, that hurts. But they only wag because they are so happy to be so close to you.
Whenever they wake up in your heart they wag their tail. After a few dog years, they sleep for longer periods of time and you will too. They were a GOOD DOG all their life and you both know it. It gets tiring being a good dog all the time, particularly when you get old and your bones hurt and you fall on your face and don’t want to go outside to pee when it is raining but they do because they are a good dog. So understand that after they have been sleeping in your heart, they will sleep longer and longer.
But don’t get fooled. They are not “dead”. There is no such thing, really. They are sleeping in your heart and when they wake up, usually when you are not expecting it. It is just who they are.
I feel sorry for people who don’t have dogs sleeping in their heart. They miss so much. Excuse me, I have to go cry now.”
@goodgolden9978
“1B views”
Now this, does put a smile on my face
@royal_explosion3480
It’s really does 😊
@notaperson8300
😄
@bossbigmoney263
XD I said the same thing thats crazy this song is awesome!!
@mintseerr5062
It's deserved, this man's voice and peaceful nature is something the world needs but doesn't deserve
@eduardoalmeida61
there is hope, there is love
@MrMaurotheawesome
He didn't die...
He just went somewhere... over the rainbow :')
@ellacarmen7331
That's a good thought....
@arthurdalbock6295
This comment made me more positive thanks man
@rockguy9902
I love this man hes so nice