Hello Martin,

don't worry about your English, your message is fine.

Here is the story of how Sinatra came to sing a song in Polish language:

In 1947, Frank Sinatra played the role of a priest ("Father Paul") in the movie "The Miracle Of The Bells" (RKO Radio Pictures), alongside Fred MacMurray and Alida Valli. In the movie, there is a song called "Ever Homeward". This song is an English adaption of the Polish traditional song "Powrót" (by Kasimiercz Lubomirski). In the film, Sinatra sings the English version, while Alida Valli, who plays "Olga Treskova", an immigrant from Poland, sings the song in Polish language.

However, when the work for the movie was finished, Sinatra also made a recording of the song "Ever Homeward" for his record label Columbia Records. He recorded it with an orchestra conducted by Axel Stordahl on December 8, 1947 - and in this recording, Sinatra sings one refrain in English language and one in Polish language. The recording was issued in 1948 as a single by Columbia Records.

Many years later, in January 1982, on American Television, there was a big TV Special called "Let Poland Be Poland!". This special was a benefit in support of the Polish Solidarnosc movement, and it was broadcast in many countries around the world. Many international stars and politicians appeared in this special. And also, Frank Sinatra!

Frank Sinatra, in the special, makes a short announcement which reads as follows:

>>"I’m not a politician – I’m a singer. But when I see people being forced from their homeland to seek freedom someplace else, it makes me realise all over again how grateful I am for the freedom I have, and how terrible I would feel if I had to leave the country I love. When the troubles began in Poland this winter, I remembered a song I recorded sometime ago; it’s based on a Polish folk song. I sang it in both English and Polish. If I were a politician, I would probably make a speech right now. But since I’m not - here is the song and it’s called „Ever Homeward“ or in Polish it’s called „Powrót“.<<

After this statement, they played his 1947 Columbia studio recording of the song (so, he did not sing it again, they just played the old recording). I think, Martin, that this may be the show you had in mind when you wrote your message.

The 1947 recording of "Ever Homeward" has been issued on CD as well. You can find it on CD #8 of the 12-CD-Set "The Columbia Years: The Complete Recordings" (Columbia/Legacy).

I hope this is of help to you.

Best wishes and musical Sinatra greetings to Poland, our neighbourhood state,

Bernhard (from Germany).