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).
Chin Up Cheerio Carry On
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the streets of Amsterdam
From the homes of old Vienna
To the shores of Uncle Sam
Each heart cries out to you:
Don't give up, Tommy Atkins,
Be a stout fella,
Chin up! Cheerio! Carry on!
Keep a stiff upper lip
When you're in doubt, fella,
Chin up! Cheerio! Carry on!
Oh the sun's sure to smile
on your tight little isle,
So hang on to your wits
and you'll turn the blitz on Fritz,
There's a whole world behind you
shoutin' "stout fella!"
Chin up! Cheerio! Carry on!
(repeat)
The lyrics of "Chin Up Cheerio Carry On" by Judy Garland convey a message of encouragement and support to Tommy Atkins, a generic term often used to refer to British soldiers. The song paints a picture of a world united in the quest for freedom, as it mentions various locations such as Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, and the United States. The prevailing theme is one of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
The first lines suggest a sense of darkness but also evoke a sense of intrigue and possibility, as they describe the dark cafes of Paris and the streets of Amsterdam. The mention of "homes of old Vienna" adds a touch of nostalgia and history. Finally, the reference to the "shores of Uncle Sam" signifies the support and solidarity of the United States.
The chorus, with its repeated exhortations to "Chin up! Cheerio! Carry on!" emphasizes the need for optimism and courage. The line "Keep a stiff upper lip when you're in doubt, fella" conveys the importance of maintaining composure and determination even in uncertain times. The following lines allude to the belief that, despite the challenges faced, victory is certain and that the sun will smile on the British Isles. The mention of turning "the blitz on Fritz" refers to turning the tables on the enemy and defeating them.
Overall, "Chin Up Cheerio Carry On" is a patriotic and uplifting song that serves to bolster the spirit of those enduring hardships during times of war.
Line by Line Meaning
From the dark cafes of Paris
From the dimly lit cafes of Paris
To the streets of Amsterdam
To the bustling streets of Amsterdam
From the homes of old Vienna
From the historic residences of Vienna
To the shores of Uncle Sam
To the coastlines of the United States
Wherever freedom's hope is true
In any place where the hope for freedom remains alive
Each heart cries out to you:
Every heart calls out to you:
Don't give up, Tommy Atkins,
Do not surrender, Tommy Atkins,
Be a stout fella,
Be a strong individual,
Chin up! Cheerio! Carry on!
Hold your head high! Goodbye! Keep going!
Keep a stiff upper lip
Maintain a brave and composed demeanor
When you're in doubt, fella,
When you are uncertain, my friend,
Chin up! Cheerio! Carry on!
Hold your head high! Goodbye! Keep going!
Oh the sun's sure to smile
Oh, the sun is certainly going to shine
on your tight little isle,
on your small, enclosed island,
So hang on to your wits
So hold onto your intelligence
and you'll turn the blitz on Fritz,
and you will retaliate against the German attacks,
There's a whole world behind you
There is an entire world supporting you
shoutin' "stout fella!"
shouting 'strong individual!'
Chin up! Cheerio! Carry on!
Hold your head high! Goodbye! Keep going!
(repeat)
(repetition of the previous lines)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BURTON LANE, E.Y. HARBURG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wendi Kilman
Though my siblings and I have photos of this movie, my sister just discovered this jewel of a clip! Our Dad, Fred Smith, who is no longer with us was one of the choir boys. Judy Garland was something special, but seeing our Dad’s adorable face in this movie warms our hearts to no end❤ We love you Dad❤❤❤❤
Long Gray Line
She was 18/19 years old when this was made. Insane. She was born to perform. I read reviews of her performances when she was under 10 and the reviewers raged about her talent. Her voice cuts through that entire choir of singers like the sharpest knife through hot butter. Awesome.
B
Long Gray Line Well Said!
Christine Cremen
Indeed.
Eddie G
No one can compare.
Yasy
Eu não tenho palavras para descrever o quanto Judy Garland estava LINDA nesse filme. Eles não puderam ou ousaram falar que ela era “feia” ou “errada” ela estava e era linda. Descanse em paz Judy 🕊️
Alex Linhardt
She was so gorgeous and so incredibly talented...it pains me to think about all the horrible things she went through
Witold Banasik
Incredibly multi- talented and witty... sure...
What's more...She never gave up on her dreams, was proud of her children, MGM career, friends, audience... never regretted anything... She was at times sad about her mother, at times about her husbands' silly ways... But first off as a huge loving persona and grand artist, a classy dame she always started criticizing someone... very rarely indeed... from herself. Hardest working entertainer ever lived and magnificent singer larger than life... the rest is history... Please mind that fame and grand careers always go hand in hand with pain and hardships. Judy simply didn't know... nobody knew those days... that taking sleeping pills might have been fatal...
My opinion anyway... RIP... in Heavenly Peace dear Judy !
B
The loss of her father may have been the worst thing of all for her. Because after that she truly felt alone.
Matthew Darnell
She sure was a beautiful girl and that voice! She was my first crush! I couldn’t wait for TCM to show her movies on her birthday!