A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

By Manning Sherwin, Jack Strachey & Eric Maschwitz
1940

This popular British standard refers to a tree-filled park in the upscale Mayfair section of London. It became a very popular tune in the UK after being introduced by Judy Campbell in the show New Faces, and subsequently recorded by Ray Noble and Vera Lynn.

Lyrics:

That certain night,
The night we met,
There was magic abroad in the air.
There were angels dining at the Ritz,
And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.

I may be right, I may be wrong,
But I'm perfectly willing to swear
That when you turned and smiled at me,
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.

The moon that lingered over Londontown,
Poor puzzled moon, he wore a frown.
How could he know that we two were so in love?
The whole darn world seemed upside down.

The streets of town were paved with stars,
It was such a romantic affair.
And as we kissed and said goodnight,
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.

When dawn came stealing up, all gold and blue,
To interrupt our rendezvous,
I still remember how you smiled and said,
"Was that a dream? Or was it true?"

Our homeward step was just as light
As the tap dancing feet of Astaire,
And like an echo far away,
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.

Recorded By:

Nat King Cole
Bobby Darrin
Mel Torme
Blossom Dearie
Frank Sinatra