Busby Berkeley (November 29, 1895 – March 14, 1976) His innovative camera work and complex geometric choreography revolutionized musicals and brought cinematic flights of fancy to the Great Depression. Born Berkeley William Enos in Hollywood, to actor/director Frank Enos, and actress Gertrude Berkeley. He first appeared on stage at the age of five. His service in the first World War involved oversight of close-order drills. He also directed shows for the troops after the war. Taking on the stage name Busby Berkeley, he made his Broadway debut as a choreographer in 1925. In 1927 his choreography on the Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart musical A Connecticut Yankee led to work in films, first with Samuel Goldwyn and then Warner Brothers, where he continued to innovate and top himself for much of the 1930's. In 1939, he was lured to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) for whom he made many popular films.
Footlight Parade (1933) "By a Waterfall" Fashions of 1934(1934) “Spin a Little Web of Dreams” Gold Diggers of 1935(1935) “Lullaby of Broadway” won an Academy Award, and Berkeley was nominated for an Oscar for best dance director. Gold Diggers of 1937(1936) garnished Berkeley his second Oscar nomination Hollywood Hotel (1937) “Hooray for Hollywood” Varsity Show (1937) choreography for which he received his third Oscar nomination). Babes in Arms (1939)
This rocking hymnal reflects a calm and restful peace of trust within the tempest. The lyrics were written in 1830 by women's education pioneer Emma Hart Willard when she was returning from Europe on an ocean voyage. British composer and clergyman Joseph Philip Knight taught music for a year at a school she ran in Vermont. It was during this time that he put her words to music.
Rocked in the cradle of the deep, I lay me down in peace to sleep; Secure I rest upon the wave, For Thou, O Lord, hath power to save. I know Thou wilt not slight my call, For Thou dost mark the sparrow's fall. And calm and peaceful is my sleep, Rocked in the cradle of the deep; And calm and peaceful is my sleep, Rocked in the cradle of the deep. And such the trust that still were mine, Though stormy winds swept o'er the brine, Or though the tempest's fiery breath Roused me from sleep to wreck and death, In ocean's cave still safe with Thee, The germ of immortality; And calm and peaceful is my sleep, Rocked in the cradle of the deep; And calm and peaceful is my sleep, Rocked in the cradle of the deep. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father…So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31
