GOD BLESS AMERICA -- IN THE NAME

 

Israel Isidore Beilin
May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989

The name Irving, while not inherently Jewish, was a common secular or "Americanized" alternative to the traditional Hebrew names Isaac and Israel. So it was for Irving Berlin, one of the greatest American song writers there's ever been. He is famous for many songs, especially "God Bless America."  

The name "Berlin" may not have been the best choice, given the wars with Germany that were on the horizon, but Berlin's last name was not changed by anyone; it was a name he adopted. He began using the name "Berlin" after his actual last name, "Beilin," was misspelled on the sheet music for his first published song, "Marie from Sunny Italy," in 1907. He decided to keep the name, and it eventually became his legal name in 1911, well before both world wars. 

Before the rise of Hitler, Germany was the center of sophistication and Berlin was an extremely popular place for Jews to be.  That all came to a horrific end in Irving's life time.

The fall of Berlin and the 3rd Reich would lead to the rebirth of Israel.  You know who got to see it all. Imagine how Irving's heart must of swelled to see American's singing "God Bless America."

Irving Berlin was a Jewish Russian-born American composer and songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential figures in American music history. 

Irving Berlin's family escaped violent anti-Jewish pogroms in the Russian Empire and immigrated to New York in 1893. Irving grew up in poverty on the Lower East Side.

Berlin had a simple, direct, and heartfelt song writing style. During his 50+ year career he wrote over 1,000 songs, including "White Christmas," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Easter Parade," "Cheek to Cheek," and "Puttin' On The Ritz." 

Relevant Tanget Warning⚠️ 

Speaking of Jews who change their name to sound less "Jewish," I gotta give a shout out to Mel Brooks for his rendition of  "Puttin On The Ritz" with Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle in "Young Frankenstein." If you recall, the son of the infamous Dr. Frankenstein was trying to hide his heritage, so he battled with people over how to pronounce his last name. That was a humorous play on Jews who tried so hard in those years to "fit in" with society, but still couldn't. Broadway was one of the few industries that accepted Jews.  Even in the name (title) of the song, could be a little hint of humor. The prounounciation of "Puttin" is a less cultured way of saying "putting." Mel Brooks is a gift to America, especially Jews. He built bridges of understanding through humor and movies. 

"Puttin on the Ritz" was released in 1929, shortly after what is considered the "great wave" of Jewish immigration, with over 2 million Jews, primarily from Eastern Europe, arriving in the US.  Many Jews, like Irving's family, were trying to escape very depressing and difficult lives. America was the new promise land, and New York City was like Jerusalem -- the center for Jews. (Remember, the modern state of Israel hadn't been created until after the Holocaust and WWII.) 

Opening Lyric Verse Makes More Sense: 

If you're blue, and you don’t know where to go to, why don’t you go where fashion sits ... Puttin' on the Ritz.  

Getting Back to Berlin and His Song that Blessed America 

Berlin wrote scores for 19 Broadway shows and 18 movie musicals. He received numerous honors, including an Academy Award, a Grammy, a Tony, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

His most well known and beloved song has to be "God Bless America." It became the unofficial national anthem. It was written originally in 1918 and revised in 1938 by Berlin. 

In the Song's Name: "God Bless America" is Framed as a Prayer 

Those were wars years for the world. Irving's song makes a call to God to bless and guide the United States during tumultuous times. The song also expressed gratitude and patriotism, important needed emotions for then or any time, especially now.

Original 1918 Lyrics:

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:
God bless America, land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless America, my home sweet home.

"God Bless America" is sung on various occasions, most notably on Independence Day (July 4th) and Veterans Day.  It is also a regular feature at Major League Baseball games, particularly during the seventh-inning stretch, and especially on Sundays, Opening Day, and holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day. 

In His Name 

I began this post with an explanation of Irving Berlin's first and last name changes -- From Israel Beilin to Irving Berlin.  There is an aspect about his original last name, "Beilin," that I find intriguing because of it's cool connection to the "God Bless America." 

"Beilin" is an Ashkenazi Jewish ethnic surname, particularly in Eastern Europe. It is believed to be derived from the Yiddish word "beyl," meaning "to be" or "to dwell," implying a connection to a specific place. The name is also linked to the name "Bella," another Ashkenazi Jewish surname that pops up. The name Bella, primarily of Italian origin, means "beautiful." Again, Berlin's first published song is "Marie from Sunny Italy." 

So, if you put the two origins of "Beilin" together I come up with "a beautiful place to be."  The lyrics of "God Bless America" describe a beautiful place to be. What an appropriate name! Coincidence? 

Coincidence or Mystery 

The ironic twist of fate is that Israel/Irving's last name was changed to "Berlin," the capital of Germany -- the country we went to war with. In every generation an enemy rises up to destroy the Jews no matter where we go or what we change our name to try to fit in.  I suppose that comes along with God changing Jacob's name. 

Thank you Irving Berlin. Your name and your songs certainly are a blessing to America! 

By the way, Berlin donated the song's royalties to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America.