Archive Record
| Title | Sheet Music for "Sweet Leilani" |
| Dates of Creation | 1937 |
| Scope & Content |
"Sweet Leilani", sheet music and lyrics by Harry Owens. From the Paramount picture "Waikiki Wedding," starring Bing Crosby. The cover photograph is of Bing Crosby. "Sweet Leilani" is a song from the 1937 film, Waikiki Wedding. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and was popularized by Bing Crosby who recorded it in 1935. Harry Owens wrote the song on October 20, 1934, for his daughter Leilani who was born the previous day. Leilani is a popular Hawaiian name, meaning "heavenly garland of flowers" (not "heavenly flower"). It also has a figurative meaning – small Hawaiian children were carried on their parents' shoulders like a lei (a garland) so the name took on the meaning "heavenly child". |
| Year Range from | 1937 |
| Year Range to | 1937 |
| Subjects |
Music sheet covers Sheet music covers |
| People |
Owens, Harry |
| Collection | History Museum Music Collection |
| Imagefile | 031\200632158-2.JPG |
| Number of images | 1 |
| Object Name | Music, Sheet |
| Object ID | 2006.32.158 |
| Extent of Description | 1 sheet music, 9" x 12" |