After appearing in Vaudeville theater with her sisters, Judy was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a teenager. There she made more than two dozen films, including nine with Mickey Rooney, and the film with which she would be most identified, "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). After 15 years, Judy was released from the studio but gained renewed success through record-breaking concert appearances, including a critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall concert, a well-regarded but short-lived television series, and a return to film acting beginning with "A Star Is Born" (1954).
Despite her professional triumphs, Judy battled personal problems throughout her life. Insecure about her appearance, her feelings were compounded by film executives who told her she was unattractive and overweight. Plied with drugs to control her weight and increase her productivity, Garland endured a decades-long struggle with addiction. Garland was plagued by financial instability, often owing hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes, and her first four of five marriages ended in divorce. She attempted suicide on a number of occasions. Garland died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 47, leaving children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft.
Legacy
Judy Garland's legacy as a performer and a personality has endured long after her death. The American Film Institute named Garland eighth among the "Greatest Female Stars of All Time". She has been the subject of over two dozen biographies since her death, including the well-received "Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir" by her daughter, Lorna Luft. Luft's memoir was later adapted into the multiple award-winning television mini-series, "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows", which won Emmy Awards for two actresses portraying Garland (Tammy Blanchard and Judy Davis).
Garland was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. Several of her recordings have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. These include "Over the Rainbow," which was ranked as the number one movie song of all time in the American Film Institute's "100 Years...100 Songs" list. Four more Garland songs are featured on the list: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (#76), "Get Happy" (#61), "The Trolley Song" (#26), and "The Man That Got Away" (#11).
Judy Garland has twice been honored on U.S. postage stamps, in 1989 (as Dorothy) and again in 2006 (as Vicki Lester from A Star Is Born).
Babes in arms
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But we are babes in armor.
They laugh at babes in arms
But we'll be laughing far more.
On city street and farms
They'll hear a rising was cry.
Youth will arrive,
Make it your cry!
They call us babes in arms
They think they must direct us.
But if we're babes in arms
We'll make them all respect us.
Why have we got our arms,
What have we got our sight for?
Play day is done,
We have a place in the sun
We must fight for.
So babes in arms to arms!
The song "Babes in Arms" is the title track of the 1937 film musical of the same name, which stars Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. The lyrics suggest that young people may be dismissed as inexperienced or immature, but they are ready to face whatever challenges come their way. The opening lines state that while people may call them "babes in arms," they see themselves as "babes in armor," indicating their readiness to defend themselves and those they care about. The next lines acknowledge that some may underestimate their abilities, but they will ultimately have the last laugh.
The second verse suggests that young people have a responsibility to stand up for themselves and assert their independence. They may be met with resistance or skepticism, but they must not be discouraged. Instead, they should let their voices be heard and make their presence known. The final lines of the song call on young people to take action and fight for what they believe in. This could be interpreted as a call to arms against societal expectations or norms that may attempt to hold them back.
Line by Line Meaning
They call us babes in arms
People refer to us as inexperienced and immature fighters.
But we are babes in armor.
However, we are young fighters equipped with the necessary tools to protect ourselves and emerge victorious.
They laugh at babes in arms
People tend to ridicule young fighters like us.
But we'll be laughing far more.
But we know better; we'll end up laughing more when we become successful in our quest.
On city street and farms
Whether it's in an urban environment or on a rural farmland.
They'll hear a rising was cry.
They'll hear us make a clamorous noise to show our readiness for battle.
Youth will arrive,
Young people will emerge and take charge.
Let them know you are alive,
We'll make it known that we are very much alert and active.
Make it your cry!
Let it become our rallying cry.
They call us babes in arms
People refer to us as inexperienced and immature fighters.
They think they must direct us.
They think they have to guide and instruct us every step of the way.
But if we're babes in arms
But since we are young inexperienced fighters.
We'll make them all respect us.
We will earn their respect despite their doubts about our abilities.
Why have we got our arms,
Why do we have the strength to fight?
What have we got our sight for?
Why do we have our vision if not to aim for success?
Play day is done,
It's time to stop playing around and get serious.
We have a place in the sun
We are entitled to take on the world and make our mark.
We must fight for.
But it's up to us to put up a good fight and prove ourselves.
So babes in arms to arms!
Let's get ready to fight and show the world what we're made of.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sebastian
Two of the silver screen's most legendary musical stars, who later in their careers gave excellent dramatic performances as well.
Oztinato
Great visual art and extraordinary retro vibes. What utter magic 🎩 ✨️
catherine
Judy was such a splendid little girl! Can't get enough of her! Words can't describe my love for her ❤
Sebastian
She really was adorable
Gianfranco Girardi
amazing movie ! you should watch it
AD-SD-vids
“MGM is no prouder of any musical than babes in arms”
This came out after the wizard of oz and they’re proud of the one with blackface
Monique
my thoughts exactly =(
CamCrazy
Crazy it made more money then the wizard of Oz in 1939
Saturnin
We clearly hear "Singing In the Rain", I'm surprised. I knew that "Babes In Arms" contained the original version of "Good Morning" but nowhere does it mention "Singing in the Rain" song in "Babes In Arms" movie... is it only in this trailer?
Rafaela96april
I was just like Dorothy in the hurricane: "Miss Gulch!". I wouldn't believe she's in this picture.