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).
It's A Great Day For The Irish
Judy Garland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sidewalks of New York are thick with blarney
For shure you'd think New York was Old Kilarney!
It's a great day for the Shamrock, for the flags in full array
We're feeling so inspirish, shure because for all the Irish
It's a great, great day!
It's a great day for the Irish, it's a great day for fair!
Begorra all the cops are out parading!
It's a great day for the Shamrock, for the flags in full aray
And as we go a swinging, ev'ry Irish heart is singing
It's a great, great day!
Judy Garland's song "It's A Great Day For The Irish" is a joyful celebration of the Irish people and their rich culture. The song begins with the singer declaring that it's a great day for the Irish and for fair, and immediately sets a light and merry tone. New York is filled with blarney, and the singer suggests that you would think it was Kilarney, which is a town in Ireland known for its scenic beauty. This line highlights the idea that Irish-Americans often long for a connection to their homeland, and create their own version of Ireland in cities like New York.
As the song continues, the singer mentions that there are no police officers around to interfere with their festivities. Instead, they're all out parading, making it clear that the Irish community has a strong presence in New York. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the greatness of the day for the Shamrock and the Irish flags that are on full display. The singer states that every Irish heart is singing, and throughout the song, the joy and pride in the Irish heritage is palpable.
Overall, "It's A Great Day For The Irish" is a fun and uplifting song that celebrates the strength and resilience of the Irish people. It's also a commentary on the unique position of Irish-Americans, who often feel a deep connection to both their American and Irish identities.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a great day for the Irish, it's a great day for fair!
Today is a wonderful day for the people of Irish descent; they are proud to celebrate their heritage and have a good time.
The sidewalks of New York are thick with blarney
The streets of New York are filled with talk that is flattering, insincere, and meant to make people feel good or garner their favor.
For shure you'd think New York was Old Kilarney!
The atmosphere of New York City is so festive and lively that it feels like the city of Kilarney, which is known for its beauty and lively culture.
It's a great day for the Shamrock, for the flags in full array
This is an auspicious day for the symbol of Ireland's national plant, shamrock, and the Irish flags, which are all proudly displayed.
We're feeling so inspirish, shure because for all the Irish
The Irish people are feeling inspired and joyful because they are surrounded by friends, family and others who share their heritage and culture.
It's a great, great day!
Overall, this is an excellent and unforgettable day for everyone involved.
Begosh, there's not a cop to stop a raiding
There are no authoritative figures to stop the revelers from having a good time or indulging in their cultural heritage.
Begorra all the cops are out parading!
Instead of stopping anyone from enjoying themselves, the police are actively involved in the celebration and taking part in the parade.
And as we go a swinging, ev'ry Irish heart is singing
Everyone is dancing and having a good time, and this joy is reflected in every Irish heart.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROGER EDENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
njplr
She is just incomparable. Incandescent in every frame. And a voice like no one else. Happy St Patty's Day, all.
Walter Scott
There's just no such talent nowadays as Judy! It's like a great comet lit up the sky for awhile when she was around, and never again will we see such a profound heart and talent.
Ellie Grace
This shows how talented Judy was. That's ALOT of words! You can tell that she was from Irish decent too. Listen to that accent!
James Busjahn
And most likely she recorded it in one take. I have heard she had a photographic memory.
Tony Bensley
Couldn't let St. Patrick's Day go by without playing this wonderful performance! Judy Garland really shines, here!! Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! CHEERS!! 🥰❤☘🇮🇪🍀
Len Greenhall
I love this song and Judy singing it. Heard it first in the 1940's as a child.
Jacek Piotrowicz
And Me? In 2019 - sorry for that. Better late than never. How I envy You in a way because You lived in times of Judy. But now We have internet and knowledge. And resources. And HD.
SamRoe
i love her. this song is enough for anyone to stand up and start cheering 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
glenconmc
I love when Judy recorded this number in the 60s and did it in concerts. All those names, including mine, McLaughlin!
Ryan David-Joseph Sauvageau
❤