Tiomkin was born in Kremenchug, Ukraine and educated at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory in Russia, where he studied piano with Felix Blumenfeld and harmony and counterpoint with Glazunov. In 1920, while working for the Petrograd Military District Political Administration (PUR), he was one of the lead organizers of two revolutionary mass spectacles, the "Mystery of Liberated Labor," a pseudo-religious mystery play for the May Day festivities, and "The Storming of the Winter Palace" for the celebrations of the third anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution.[1]
He later moved to Berlin, where his father was practising as a doctor, and had some lessons from Busoni. He emigrated in 1925 to the United States and became an American citizen in 1937. Although influenced by Eastern European music traditions, he was able to score typical American movies like Frank Capra's famous Lost Horizon (1937) or It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and also Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), both with James Stewart. He also worked on Fred Zinnemann's High Noon (1952), which also won him a "Best Song" Oscar for "Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin'(The Ballad of High Noon)". In 1954, he won the Academy Award for best song of the John Wayne film The High and the Mighty.
Many classic scores followed, many of which were also in Western movies, like The High and the Mighty (1954), Giant (1956), Friendly Persuasion (1956), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), Rio Bravo (1959), The Alamo (1960), The Guns of Navarone (1961), Town Without Pity (1961), 55 Days at Peking (1963), The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) and many more.
Besides cinema he was also active in writing for the small screen, writing some memorable television theme-songs, as for Rawhide (1959) and Gunslinger. He was also hired to write the theme for TV's The Wild Wild West (1965), but the producers rejected his themes and hired Richard Markowitz.
Dimitri Tiomkin died in London, England in 1979 and was interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
Friendly Persuasion
Tiomkin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
More than the mulberries on the hill
More than the buds of a May apple tree I love thee
Arms have I, strong as the oak for this occasion
Lips have I, to kiss thee, too, in friendly persuasion
Thee is mine though I don't know many words of praise
Put on your bonnet, your cape, and your glove
And come with me, for thee I love
Friendly persuasion
Thee is mine though I don't know many words of praise
Thee pleasures me in a hundred ways
Put on your bonnet, your cape, and your glove
And come with me, for thee I love
The lyrics of Tiomkin's song "Friendly Persuasion" express a deep and profound love for someone. The singer compares their love to the tranquil and serene beauty of a green meadow and the sweet abundance of mulberries on a hill. They declare that their love for this person surpasses even the tender buds of a May apple tree.
The singer portrays themselves as strong and capable, comparing their arms to the strength of an oak tree. They also mention their lips, which are ready to express their love through kisses, delivered in a gentle and persuasive manner.
The singer admits that they may not possess an extensive vocabulary to express their love and admiration, but this person brings them immense joy and satisfaction in countless ways. They lovingly invite this person to accompany them by putting on their bonnet, cape, and gloves. The final line, "for thee I love," solidifies the depth and sincerity of their affection.
Overall, the lyrics of "Friendly Persuasion" celebrate a profound love that surpasses words and resonates through various gestures and emotions. It expresses a desire for a mutual journey of love and companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
Thee I love more than the meadow so green and still
I love you more than the peaceful and serene meadow
More than the mulberries on the hill
I love you more than the mulberries growing on the hill
More than the buds of a May apple tree I love thee
I love you more than the blossoming buds of a May apple tree
Arms have I, strong as the oak for this occasion
I have strong arms, like the sturdy oak, for this moment
Lips have I, to kiss thee, too, in friendly persuasion
I have lips to kiss you, to persuade you lovingly
Thee is mine though I don't know many words of praise
You belong to me, even though I lack extensive words of admiration
Thee pleasures me in a hundred ways
You bring me joy in countless ways
Put on your bonnet, your cape, and your glove
Wear your bonnet, cape, and glove
And come with me, for thee I love
Join me, because I love you
Friendly persuasion
My affectionate influence
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DIMITRI TIOMKIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Soundtrack Fred
“Friendly Persuasion” is a story about a family of Quakers in the 1860’s, which has to face a number of problems, such as street fights, a rude goose, a pump organ and more strange encounters, which make the living just not as easy as it should be. All in all, the upcoming war does upset the pacifistic family (lead by Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire).
The movie was directed by veteran William Wyler, who turned the charming screenplay into a gorgeous motion picture with love, fun and drama – everything – and got the movie a total of six Academy Award nominations. While there were no awards won (oh, just you wait another three years, Mr. Wyler), “Friendly Persuasion” showed that it did much right – as for the music, which was composed by the great Dimitri Tiomkin, who, as usual provided a love theme (Thee I Love), which became a popular tune (especially as performed by Pat Boone) and an all in all colorful musical experience, matching the plot. Enjoy!
gblowers
One sad thing about this production though. Made at the height of the McCarthy period, the original screenplay was written by blacklisted writer
Michael Wilson who was denied credit on the original release.
LaSharown
Dear Fred Happy New Year my friend across the waters. Oh my God, I'm a huge fan of Tiomkin so many of his scores resonate with my soul...It's a Wonderful Life, Lost Horizon, Land of The Pharaohs, 55 days at Peking, and Giant. I just watched this beautiful film last weekend on TCM. Great cast quite believable. Thanks again a huge Virtual Hug to you always😍😘😎❤
TIOMKIN1
One of the first soundtracks albums I brought back in 1958 for $.97 cents of a cut out bin at Rose records here in Chicago. I still have it and I played it to death back then. This is one of my favorites. The only fault I have with it is not enough music from the film. I feel the music was a lot better than the film which to me was quite slow but not Tiomkin's music. Thanks Fred for the excellent upload. Out.
5809AUJG
One of Tiomkin's loveliest....a beautiful and precious film. Thank you!
Morlock
I am really getting an education in great music Fred! Thank you. I've never heard of this one either. Very enjoyable.
Who am I?
Love your work, Fred! It would be awesome if sometime you were to do "The Lion in Winter" (1968) by John Barry.
LaSharown
Hi Who am I? Just watched Lion in Winter the opening them is fabulous and the music is grand when the Queen meets her husband. Barry to is a wonderful composer ie Out of Africa one of his best.
Soundtrack Fred
Great one!. Just put on the to-do list.
Have a nice weekend!
Fred
Kim Huckaby
Beautifully done, as always! Thank you! I do have a request for a suite. Would you please make a suite for the 1954 movie "The Valley of The Kings"? The music is by Miklos Rozsa, my favorite film composer. I hadn't seen this film in many many years, but got it on DVD for Christmas. Would love to hear the musical suite for this film. Thank you so much. :-)