Re: Scholem Secunda

[Wolf Krakowski, Paula Parsky <media...>]

Andy:
"Dona, dona" was first published in 1943.  Sholem Secunda wrote the
music; the text is by A. Zeitlin, although his name will not be found on
some printed versions of the song. ( The English lyrics are by  Sheldon
Secunda).
Sholem Secunda was prominent in the American (New York) Yiddish theatre
in the twenties, thirties and forties.  He was a  "utility  man",  much
in demand by producers to create, improve and save their musicals.  He
collaborated with many lyricists including  Jacob Jacobs and Khayim
Tauber.  I cannot provide you with his dates, although there is a
biography (in English) available. Try  Schoen Books in Deerfield, Ma. to
locate a used copy.
Secunda is perhaps best known as the composer of "Bay mir bist du sheyn"
(with Jacobs).  He sold the copyright for fifty bucks and the English
version (by  Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin) went on to sell in the
millions and continues to generate  royalties to this day.   ( People
are still recording it, too;  catch Rhoda Bernard's version on the
Klezamir album). 
   There is a story told of how Secunda's mother, upon becoming aware of
her son's misfortune (and "loss" of a fortune) went to shul and remained
there for days...In later years, the publishers gave  Secunda  some
money out of the kindness of their hearts.
"Bei mir...", a huge international hit by the Andrew Sisters,  had the
distinction of being specifically banned by the Nazis wherever they
conquered.
Take it easy,
Wolf
PS_ I believe the bio is called "Bei mir..."