Noble played the piano but seldom did so with his orchestra. In a movie short from the 1940s featuring Ray Noble and Buddy Clark (one of his most popular band singers), Ray Noble is asked by the announcer to play one of his most popular hits. He sits down at the piano and plays "Goodnight Sweetheart" ("Goodnight sweetheart, 'til we meet tomorrow. Goodnight sweetheart, parting is such sorrow"). This is the song that once seemed to be played at the end of every high school and college prom, the end of every party featuring live music, and the last song played by a dance band to signal the end of the evening.
Although Noble was no singer, he did appear twice as an upper crust Englishmen on two of his more popular New York records, 1935's Top Hat and 1937's Slumming on Park Avenue.
Noble and Bowlly's 1934 recording of "Midnight, the Stars and You" was prominently featured on the soundtrack of Stanley Kubrick's film The Shining in 1980.
Little Dutch Mill
Ray Noble and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the land of wooden shoes
There's a story nearly everyone knows
You may never be in Holland
So I know you will excuse
If here and now I tell you how it goes
On a little Dutch hill
Where the little Dutch stars shine bright
Now a little Dutch boy
And his little Dutch Girl
Fell in love by the mill one night
Up above, the Dutch moon made the scene complete
They both had so much moon, that it was a real Dutch treat
So the little Dutch boy and the little Dutch girl
Bought the little Dutch mill on the little Dutch hill
And they've added a touch of a little Dutch family
Up above, the Dutch moon made the scene complete
They both had so much moon, that it really was a real Dutch treat
So the little Dutch boy and the little Dutch girl
Bought the little Dutch mill on the little Dutch hill
And added a touch of a little Dutch family
The lyrics to Ray Noble and His Orchestra’s song "Little Dutch Mill" evoke vivid imagery of the scenic countryside of Holland. The song opens with the description of a popular folklore tale that tells the story of a little Dutch mill on a little Dutch hill. The subsequent verses delve deeper into the events that transpired within the mill. The lyrics recount the romantic tale of a little Dutch boy and his little Dutch girl who fell in love by the mill one night. The Dutch moon shining bright above them served as the perfect backdrop to their enchanting love story that culminated in them buying the little Dutch mill on the little Dutch hill and starting a little Dutch family.
Through its lyrics, "Little Dutch Mill" paints a picture of a bygone era, where young lovers would seek solace in the romanticism of nature. The song's simple yet profound lyrics and upbeat melody transport the listener to Holland, where they are treated to visions of idyllic landscapes, enchanting moonlit nights, and enchanting love stories.
Overall, "Little Dutch Mill" is a classic song that tells a timeless tale of love and romance, reminding us of the simple pleasures of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Far across the sea in Holland
Far away, across the sea, in the country of Holland
In the land of wooden shoes
Where people wear wooden shoes as a traditional footwear
There's a story nearly everyone knows
A tale that is quite famous and well-known
You may never be in Holland
Perhaps you'll never travel to Holland
So I know you will excuse
Therefore, please forgive me
If here and now I tell you how it goes
For telling you the story, right here and now
There's a little Dutch mill
There's a small windmill, Dutch in origin
On a little Dutch hill
Standing atop a small hill in Holland
Where the little Dutch stars shine bright
A place where the stars twinkle brightly, in the Dutch sky
Now a little Dutch boy
At this location, there was a small, young boy from Holland
And his little Dutch Girl
Alongside him stood a young girl from Holland
Fell in love by the mill one night
Attracted to each other, and fell in love near the windmill, one evening
Up above, the Dutch moon made the scene complete
In the sky above, the moon of Holland, beautifully illuminated the surroundings
They both had so much moon, that it was a real Dutch treat
Both of them had so much love in their hearts, it was a real delight to behold
So the little Dutch boy and the little Dutch girl
As a result, the young couple from Holland
Bought the little Dutch mill on the little Dutch hill
Purchased the windmill that they had fallen in love by
And they've added a touch of a little Dutch family
And together, they've started a family, embracing their Dutch heritage
Up above, the Dutch moon made the scene complete
And throughout their lives, they remained in love, with the moon of Holland lighting their way
They both had so much moon, that it really was a real Dutch treat
Their love was so deep and true, it was a treat to everyone who saw them
So the little Dutch boy and the little Dutch girl
And so, this young couple from Holland
Bought the little Dutch mill on the little Dutch hill
Purchased the windmill they had loved by, and cherished it forever
And added a touch of a little Dutch family
And established a family, proud of their Dutch roots
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
parlophonman
Dankeschön Headhunter, für dieser "Dutchmill" song! Al Bowlly singen hören ist immer ein genuss !
SiggeVibes
I live this tune! It has such a nice melody. Super charming!
Ian Hawthorn Thain
Good gracious! I never thought I'd hear this again. Now I know I'm getting old. Thanks though. Why don't they write songs like this now?
Michael Stern
Hallo Head Hunter! Ich habe genau die selbe Schellack! Auf der vorderseite ist "The very Thought of you" Ray Noble ist ein Klasse Orchester! Gruß von Micha!
SiggeVibes
Hello @HeadHunter131 I love this song so much that I made an effort to clean the audio. Took about two and a half hours. I was so happy with it so that I uploaded it. Now, I probably should have asked for your permission first. I hope you're not angry with me. I thought it's best to tell you this here. Better late than never. So I wonder then, is it okay with you?
HeadHunter131
Of course, no Problem!
SiggeVibes
@HeadHunter131 Thanks!