The Story Behind "Me And My Shadow"

Sir John Gielgud duetted on stage with Elton John in December 1984 at Drury Lane Theatre in London. The occasion was a performance of "The Mother Goose Play" to benefit "The National Youth Theatre in Britain", a children theatre organization Elton has been active since 1972 and being the vice-president since 1975.

According to wikipedia, Sir Arthur John Gielgud, OM, CH (14 April 1904 – 21 May 2000), known as Sir John Gielgud, was an English theatre and film actor particularly known for his warm expressive voice, which his colleague Sir Alec Guinness likened to "a silver trumpet muffled in silk." Gielgud is a member of the short list of entertainers with the distinction of having won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award.

"Me and My Shadow" is a 1927 popular song by Dave Dreyer, Billy Rose, and Al Jolson and has become a standard, with many different versions.

ME AND MY SHADOW's lyrics
(Al Jolson / Dave Dreyer / Billy Rose)

"Shades of night are falling and I'm lonely
Standing on the corner feeling blue
Sweethearts out for fun
Pass me by one by one
Guess I'll wind up like I always do
With only....

Me and my shadow
Strolling down the avenue
Oh, me and my shadow
Not a soul to tell our troubles to
And when it's twelve o'clock we climb the stairs
We never knock 'cause nobody's there
Just me and my shadow
All alone and feeling blue

When the sun sets on the far horizon,
And the parlour lamps begin to glow
Jim and Jack and John
Put their slippers on.
They're all set but we're still on the go
So lonely....

Me and my shadow
Strolling down the avenue
Oh, me and my shadow
Not a soul to tell our troubles to
And when it's twelve o'clock we climb the stairs
We never knock 'cause nobody's there
Just me and my shadow
All alone and feeling blue"