The title track of this CD is a beautiful waltz ballad written by Ernest Ball, the celebrated composer of sentimental ballads and Irish songs including “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”, “Mother Macree”, and “A Little Bit of Heaven.” A big hit in 1919, “Let the Rest of the World Go By” enjoyed a revival in 1944 when it was featured in the movie musical on the life of Ernest Ball, “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”, with Dick Haymes in the title role.

LYRICS

With some one like you,

a pal good and true,

I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find,

Some place that's known to God alone,

just a spot to call our own,

We'll find perfect peace,

where joys never cease,

out there beneath a kindly sky.

We'll build a sweet little nest

somewhere in the west,

and let the rest of the world go by.

Also known as “When We're Alone”, this tender love song, written by Will Jason and Val Burton, was introduced in an obscure 1931 musical, but became a major hit when bandleader Paul Whiteman selected it for a New Year’s Day broadcast in which his orchestra, performing in Chicago, accompanied film star, Bebe Daniels, who sang the song in Los Angeles. Music historian, Alex Wilder, described “Penthouse Serenade” as “one of the most gentle songs I know.”

LYRICS

Just picture a penthouse 'way up in the sky,

with hinges on chimneys for stars to go by,

A sweet slice of heaven

for just you and I when we're alone.

From all of society we'll stay aloof,

and live in propriety there on the roof,

Two heavenly hermits we will be in truth

when we're alone.

We'll see life's mad pattern,

as we view old Manhattan,

Then we can thank our lucky stars,

that we're living as we are,

In our little penthouse we'll always contrive

to keep love and romance forever alive,

In view of the Hudson, just over the Drive,

when we're alone.

“Penthouse Serenade”

(Will Jason/Val Burton)

1931

“Let the Rest of the World Go By”

(J. Keirn Brennan/Ernest R. Ball)

1919