A lot of our customers ask us “Why the name Green Dolphin Brasserie & Bar?”.
“Green” because we strive to be ethically and environmentally friendly as far as possible (no “sugar sticks” or “sauce tubes” here in order to limit waste paper etc) and as business develops we will examine our “supply chain” to maximise sustainability.
“Dolphin” because they’re friendly, intelligent and sociable just like our customers and staff and you never know, we may get one straying up the Mersey one of these days!
However, “On Green Dolphin Street” is a favourite jazz standard of owner, Kevin which came from one of his favourite films “Green Dolphin Street“. The 1947 film stars Lana Turner as “A fiery girl who dares the dangers of the sea and a savage land… fighting for the love of a bold adventurer!” and spans time, loves and losses “a la Gone With The Wind”.
You can see the original trailer for the film here
The basis for the film was the 1944 novel “Green Dolphin County” by Elizabeth Goudge which, incredibly, is based on the true story of a man who emigrated to the New World and writes home for a bride but confused her name with her sister’s. The sister joined him, he kept his secret and apparently lived “happily ever after”.
The music has also inspired the more recent 2001 novel “On Green Dolphin Street” by Sebastian Faulks which deals with more angst than romance!
For those interested, here is the chord sheet, melody line and lyrics to the song
Lover one lovely day
Love came planning to stay
Green Dolphin Street supplied the setting
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
And through these moments apart
Memories live in my heart
When I recall the love I found on
I could kiss the ground on
Green Dolphin Street
