The Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history, working for Walt Disney during the last six years of his life. Film scores of the Sherman Brothers include Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Jungle Book and The Aristocats.
Life and work
Robert and Richard Sherman began writing songs together in 1951 on a challenge from their father, Tin Pan Alley songwriter Al Sherman. The brothers wrote together and with different songwriting partners throughout the rest of the decade.
In 1958, Robert founded the music publishing company Music World Corporation, which later enjoyed a landmark relationship with Disney's BMI-affiliated publishing arm, Wonderland Music Company. That same year, the Sherman Brothers had their first top-ten hit with "Tall Paul," sung by Mouseketeer Judy Harriet on the Surf Records label and then covered by Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. The success of this song yielded the attention of Walt Disney, who eventually hired the Sherman Brothers as Staff Songwriters for Walt Disney Studios. The first song they wrote on personal assignment by Walt Disney was "Strummin' Song" in 1961. It was used in the Annette Funicello made-for-television movie called The Horsemasters.
While at Disney, the Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical scores than any other songwriters in the history of film. They also wrote what is perhaps their best-known song, "It's a Small World (after all)" for the 1964 New York World's Fair. Since then, some have claimed that this has become the most translated and performed song on Earth, although this is largely justified by the fact that it is played continuously at Disney's leisure park rides of the same name.
In 1965, the Sherman Brothers won two Academy Awards for Mary Poppins, which includes the songs "Feed The Birds," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," and the Oscar-winning "Chim Chim Cher-ee." Since Mary Poppins' premiere, the Shermans have subsequently earned nine Academy Award nominations, two Grammy Awards, four Grammy Award nominations, and an incredible 23 gold- and platinum-certified albums.
Robert and Richard Sherman worked directly for Walt Disney, completing the scores for the live-action musical films The Happiest Millionaire and The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band until Disney's death in 1966. Since leaving the company, the brothers have worked freelance as songwriters on scores of motion pictures, television shows, theme-park exhibits, and stage musicals.
Their first non-Disney assignment came with Albert R. Broccoli's motion picture production Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1968, which garnered the brothers their third Academy Award Nomination.
In 1970, the Shermans returned to Disney for a brief stint where they completed work on The Aristocats and Bedknobs & Broomsticks. The latter film garnered the brothers their fourth and fifth Oscar Nominations, respectively. 1972 saw the release of Snoopy Come Home, for which the brothers received a Grammy nomination.
In 1973, the Sherman Brothers also made history by becoming the only Americans ever to win First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for Tom Sawyer, for which they also authored the screenplay.
In 1976, “The Slipper and the Rose” was picked to be the Royal Command Performance of the year. The performance was attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. A modern musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella story, "Slipper", also featured songs, score, and screenplay by the Sherman Brothers. Two further Academy Award nominations were garnered by the brothers for the film. That same year the Sherman Brothers received their star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame" directly across from Grauman's Chinese Theater.
The Sherman Brothers' numerous other Disney and non-Disney top box office film credits include The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Parent Trap (1961), The Parent Trap (1998), Charlotte's Web (1973) , The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh (1977), Snoopy, Come Home (1972), Bedknobs & Broomsticks (1971), and Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1992).
Outside the motion-picture realm, their Tony Award-nominated smash hit Over Here! (1974) was the biggest-grossing original Broadway musical of that year. The Sherman Brothers have also written numerous top selling songs including "You're Sixteen," which holds the distinction of reaching Billboard's #1 spot twice: first with Johnny Burnette in 1960 and then with Ringo Starr fourteen years later. Other top-ten hits include "Pineapple Princess," "Let's Get Together," and more.
In 2000, the Sherman Brothers wrote the song score for the Disney film The Tigger Movie. This film marked the brothers' first major motion picture for the Disney company in over 28t years.
In 2002, Chitty hit the London stage, receiving rave revues. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is currently the most successful stage show ever produced at the London Palladium, boasting the longest run in that century-old theater's history. On April 28, 2005, a second Chitty company premiered on Broadway (New York City) at the Hilton Theatre. The Sherman Brothers wrote an additional six songs specifically for the new stage productions. A successful third company of Chitty is currently touring throughout the United Kingdom.
In 2003, four Sherman Brothers' musicals ranked in the Top 10 Favorite Children's Films of All Time in a British nationwide poll reported by the BBC. The Jungle Book (1967) ranked at #7, Mary Poppins (1964) ranked at #8, The Aristocats (1970) ranked at #9, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) topped the list at #1.
In recent years, with Robert's move to London, England, United Kingdom, the brothers have written many new songs for the stage musical presentations of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins, produced collaboratively by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh.
For their contributions to the motion picture industry, the Sherman brothers have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6918 Hollywood Blvd. and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 9, 2005. On November 16, 2006, Mary Poppins premiered at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway.
On November 17, 2008 the Sherman Brothers received the National Medal of Arts which is the highest honor conferred upon artists or patrons of the arts by the United States Government. The award was presented by United States President, George W. Bush in an East Room ceremony at The White House.
Jolly Holiday
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right as a mornin' in May
I feel like I could fly
Have you ever seen the grass
So green, or a bluer sky?
Oh it's a jolly 'oliday with Mary
Mary makes your 'eart so light!
Mary makes the sun shine bright!
Oh, 'appiness is bloomin' all around 'er
The daffodils are smilin' at the dove
When Mary 'olds your 'and
You feel so grand
Your 'eart starts beatin' like
A big brass band!
It's a jolly 'oliday with Mary
No wonder that it's Mary that we love!
Oh it's a jolly 'oliday with Mary
Mary makes your 'eart so light!
When the day is gray and ordianry
Mary makes the sun shine bright!
Oh, 'appiness is bloomin' all around 'er
The daffodils are smilin' at the dove
When Mary 'olds your 'and
You feel so grand
Your 'eart starts beatin' like
A big brass band!
It's a jolly 'oliday with Mary
No wonder that it's Mary that we love!
Oh, it's a jolly holiday with you, Bert
Gentlemen like you are few
Though you're just a diamond
In the rough, Bert
Underneath your blood is blue!
You'd never think of pressing
Your advantage
Forbearance is the hallmark of your creed
A lady needn't fear when you are near
Your sweet gentility is crystal clear!
Oh, it's a jolly holiday with you, Bert
A jolly, jolly holiday with you!
It's true that Mavis and Sybil 'ave
Ways that are winning
And Prudence and Gwendolyn
Set your 'eart spinning
Phoebe's delightful, Maude is disarming
Janice, Felicia, Lydia--charming
Cynthia's dashing, Vivian's sweet
Stephanie's smashing, Priscilla a treat
Veronica, Millicent, Agnes, and Jane
Convivial company, time and again
Dorcas and Phyllis and Glynis are sorts
I'll agree are three jolly good sports
But cream of the crop, tip of the top
It's Mary Poppins, and there we stop!
The song "Jolly Holiday" by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman is a fun and upbeat tune that showcases the joy and magic of spending time with Mary Poppins, a delightful and unforgettable character. The lyrics are filled with admiration for Mary's ability to make every day special and bright, even when the skies are gray and life seems ordinary. The first verse speaks of the glory of a beautiful day, which feels like flying high in the sky, thanks to Mary's presence. The imagery used in the lyrics is vivid and lively, from the green grass to the blue sky and the smiling daffodils.
The chorus repeats the title of the song, emphasizing how much of a joyful time one can have while spending a day with Mary. The lyrics express how happiness is blooming all around Mary, with even the birds and flowers taking part in the celebration, and how holding her hand can make one feel grand and mighty, as if a big brass band were playing in their heart. The second verse shifts focus to Bert, another beloved character from the movie, who is also praised for his gentility and forbearance. The lyrics describe Bert as a diamond in the rough, with a heart that beats for the well-being of others, and a sweet gentility that is crystal clear.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't it a glorious day?
Is it not a magnificent day?
Right as a mornin' in May
As good as the beautiful morning of May
I feel like I could fly
I feel as though I could soar through the air
Have you ever seen the grass
Have you ever witnessed the vibrant greenery
So green, or a bluer sky?
So green or a more blue sky?
Oh it's a jolly 'oliday with Mary
This is an enjoyable holiday spent with Mary
Mary makes your 'eart so light!
Mary makes your heart feel elated and free
When the day is gray and ordianry
On days that are dull and commonplace
Mary makes the sun shine bright!
Mary makes the sun appear much brighter
Oh, 'appiness is bloomin' all around 'er
Joy is surrounding Mary
The daffodils are smilin' at the dove
Daffodils are appearing cheerful and happy along with the dove
When Mary 'olds your 'and
When Mary holds your hand
You feel so grand
You feel magnificent
Your 'eart starts beatin' like
Your heart starts beating strongly like
A big brass band!
A large and lively brass band!
No wonder that it's Mary that we love!
It is no surprise that we adore Mary!
Oh, it's a jolly holiday with you, Bert
This is a fun holiday with you, Bert
Gentlemen like you are few
There are very few men like you
Though you're just a diamond
Even if you are merely a diamond in the rough,
In the rough, Bert
Beneath your rugged exterior, Bert
Underneath your blood is blue!
You may be of high social status!
You'd never think of pressing
You would never try to take advantage
Your advantage
Of any situation
Forbearance is the hallmark of your creed
Patience is the characteristic of your belief
A lady needn't fear when you are near
A woman is not afraid when you are present
Your sweet gentility is crystal clear!
Your gentle and courteous nature is apparent!
A jolly, jolly holiday with you!
A very happy and enjoyable holiday with you!
It's true that Mavis and Sybil 'ave
It is true that Mavis and Sybil have
Ways that are winning
Ways that are very charming
And Prudence and Gwendolyn
As well as Prudence and Gwendolyn
Set your 'eart spinning
Cause your heart to flutter
Phoebe's delightful, Maude is disarming
Phoebe is wonderful, Maude is endearing
Janice, Felicia, Lydia--charming
Janice, Felicia and Lydia - all endearing
Cynthia's dashing, Vivian's sweet
Cynthia is charming, Vivian is pleasant
Stephanie's smashing, Priscilla a treat
Stephanie is exceptional, Priscilla is lovely
Veronica, Millicent, Agnes, and Jane
As well as Veronica, Millicent, Agnes, and Jane,
Convivial company, time and again
Pleasant company, repeatedly
Dorcas and Phyllis and Glynis are sorts
Dorcas, Phyllis, and Glynis are unique
I'll agree are three jolly good sports
I agree they are three very jolly and sporting individuals
But cream of the crop, tip of the top
Despite the rest, the absolute best is
It's Mary Poppins, and there we stop!
It is Mary Poppins, and that is the crux of the matter!
Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company
Written by: RICHARD SHERMAN, ROBERT SHERMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind