"April Showers" is a 1921 popular song composed by Louis Silvers with lyrics by B. G. De Sylva.[1]
| "April Showers" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song | |
| Written | 1921 |
| Published | Harms, Inc. |
| Composer(s) | Louis Silvers |
| Lyricist(s) | Buddy DeSylva |
| Audio sample | |
Recording of April Showers, performed by Charles Harrison (1922)
| |
The song was introduced in the 1921 Broadway musical Bombo, where it was performed by Al Jolson. It became a well-known Jolson standard: the first of his several recordings of the song was on Columbia Records in October 1921. It has also been recorded by many other artists.
Spike Jones and Doodles Weaver produced a parody that began with the lyrics: "When April showers, she never closes the curtain..."
The British comedians Morecambe and Wise performed a skit featuring the song, which involved a light sprinkling of water drizzling on straight man Ernie Wise whenever he sang it, but a bucket of water being thrown over Eric Morecambe whenever he did the same.
Below are the lyrics of the 1921 version, which is out of copyright.
Verse 1
Life is not a highway strewn with flowers,
Still it holds a goodly share of bliss,
When the sun gives way to April showers,
Here is the point you should never miss.
Verse 2
Though April showers may come your way,
They bring the flowers that bloom in May,
So if it's raining have no regrets,
Because it isn't raining rain you know, it's raining violets.
Chorus
And where you see clouds upon the hills,
You soon will see crowds of daffodils,
So keep on looking for a bluebird,
And list'ning for his song,
Whenever April showers come along.
.
"April Showers," B.G. DeSylva (words), Silvers (music).
Vol. 16. Part 2. September 1921. No. 9. ©15 July 1921; E 515575 (Class E; musical composition); Harms, Inc. p. 1078.