About the song
In the realm of popular music, few songs have managed to transcend time and genre as effortlessly as “My Prayer,” a timeless classic that has been delighting audiences for generations. Written by Georges Boulanger and Carlos Gomez Barrera, with lyrics added by Jimmy Kennedy in 1939, this song has become an iconic representation of the era’s musical style, with its soaring melody and poignant lyrics weaving a spell that continues to captivate audiences to this day.
The song’s origins date back to 1926, when Boulanger wrote the original melody, titled “Avant de mourir” (Before dying). However, it wasn’t until Kennedy added the lyrics in 1939 that the song became a hit. That year, Glenn Miller recorded the song, which reached number two on the charts, and the Ink Spots’ version, featuring Bill Kenny, reached number three.
However, it was the Platters’ 1956 doo-wop rendition that catapulted the song to new heights of success. The Platters’ version, which reached number one on the Billboard Top 100 and ranked four for the year, became the biggest hit version of the song. This version also went to number one on both the R&B Airplay and R&B Juke Box chart, cementing the song’s status as a timeless classic.
The song’s enduring appeal has been demonstrated by its numerous appearances in film and television. The Platters’ recording has been featured in the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the 1985 film Mischief, the 1999 film October Sky, and two episodes of the 2017 series of Twin Peaks. The Ink Spots’ version was featured in the 1992 movie Malcolm X, and Vera Lynn sang the song in the British film One Exciting Night in 1944.
The song has also been translated and adapted into other languages, including Italian, where it became a tango in the version by Norma Bruni and Cinico Angelini’s orchestra, titled “Sì, voglio vivere ancor!” (Yes, I want to live again!).
In conclusion, “My Prayer” is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of audiences for generations. Its soaring melody, poignant lyrics, and enduring appeal have made it a staple of popular music, and its numerous appearances in film and television have cemented its status as a true classic. Whether you’re a fan of classic pop, rock, or R&B, “My Prayer” is a song that transcends genre and era, speaking to the universal human experience of love and longing.
Video
Lyrics
When the twilight is gone
And no songbirds are singing
When the twilight is gone
You come into my heart
And here in my heart you will stay while I pray
My prayer is to linger with you
At the end of the day in a dream that’s divine
My prayer is a rapture in blue
With the world far away
And your lips close to mine
Tonight while our hearts are aglow
Oh, tell me the words that I’m longing to know
My prayer and the answer you give
May they still be the same for as long as we live
That you’ll always be there at the end of my prayer