One of the most important films ever is The Wizard of Oz.

In this film we hear a song, “Over the Rainbow”, considered one of the best songs in the world of cinema, together with Singing in the Rain.

In this unit we are going to look at the lyrics of the song, because it is… the story of a rainbow.

Let’s start from the beginning. If we want to work with a song, we must listen to it first. However, there are some gaps in the lyrics. Your task now is to try to fill in the blanks with the right words as you listen to the song.

Good luck!

Somewhere, over the _______________ , way up high.

There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.

Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are _______________.

And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come _______________.

Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.

Where troubles melt like _______________ drops, away above the chimney tops.

That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds ________. birds fly over the rainbow,

Why then - oh, why can't _______?

If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh, why can't I?

Now you can check your answers, and sing, of course, if you want to. Here you have the complete lyrics:

Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high.There's a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby.Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue.

And the dreams that you dare to dream Really do come true.Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far

Behind me.Where troubles melt like lemon drops, Away above the chimney tops.

That's where you'll find me.Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the

rainbow,Why then - oh, why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, Why, oh, why can't I?

  Do you understand the lyrics? Can you answer some questions about the song? I’m sure you can.1. What is over the rainbow?2. What colour are the skies over the rainbow?3. What happens to your dreams in that place over the rainbow?4. And what happens to your troubles?

As you can see, the rainbow is a magical symbol in this song. It is the place we have to go to reach our dreams. But there are many other things that the rainbow symbolises. First, I think we should get to know the colours of the rainbow: 

red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet

Let’s focus on the different meanings of rainbows throughout history. The rainbow flag is a symbol of many things for different people. We are going to have a look at some of them.

A rainbow flag is a multi-coloured flag with the colours of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

The use of rainbow flags has a long tradition; they are displayed in many cultures around the world as a sign of diversity, union, hope or peace.

There are now many rainbow flags in the world, some more popular than others. The use of the rainbow as a flag has its origin in the story of Noah. The rainbow symbolises the promise of God that the flood is finished.

A rainbow flag is used in Peru and Ecuador to represent Tawantin Suyu, or Inca territory. It has its origin in Inca culture and it is called Wiphala. Today in the city of Cusco, Peru, it is common to see the flag displayed around the city, even in government buildings and in Cusco´s main square.

This flag is also the symbol of the International Cooperative Movement since 1925. For the creator, Charles Gide, the rainbow symbolises unity in diversity and progress. Later on Greenpeace adopted this flag as its emblem.

This rainbow flag is also used in Italy to symbolize the peace march in 1961. It is in 2002 when it becomes popular, with the movement Pace da tutti i balconi ("peace from every balcony") as a protest against the war in Iraq.

The rainbow flag, sometimes called 'the freedom flag', is very popular as a symbol of lesbian, gay, transsexual and transgender (LGBT) pride and diversity. It first appeared in San Francisco in 1978.

The different colors symbolise diversity in the gay community, and the flag is used predominantly at gay pride events.

As you can see, the rainbow is an inspiration for many countries and organizations as a symbol of peace, freedom, and diversity.

Now, answer the following questions:

1. What is a rainbow flag?2. Where is the origin of the

rainbow flag?3. What’s the name of the rainbow

flag used in Peru and Ecuador?

4. Where does the rainbow flag symbolize Peace?

5. What is the freedom flag?

We are going to continue working with the text.

Write six verbs, six nouns and six adjectives from the text.

Analyze the following sentences. What’s the subject? What’s the verb?

“A rainbow flag is a multi-coloured flag with the colours of the rainbow.”

“The rainbow symbolises unity in diversity and progress.”

Now turn these sentences into negative and interrogative.

We have already seen that there are many different rainbow flags in the world, and that each one symbolises a different value. Now it is your turn to design your

own rainbow flag.

Draw your own rainbow flag and write a short text explaining the meaning of it (what the flag symbolises and the meaning of each colour for you)

Follow this pattern to help you:

My own rainbow flag symbolises …....

......................................because………………………………………………………………………………………………… .

In my personal rainbow flag, red means…………………………………………………; orange means.…………………….……………..;

yellow means…………………………...........…; green means………………………………..;

blue means…………………………………………; indigo stands for ………………………………; and violet symbolises ………………………. .

In conclusion, …………..……………………………

Now that we already have our own rainbow flag and its symbolism, it’s time for poetry.

You can find some rainbow poems in the following links. Your task now is to work with your favourite one: translate it, understand it, and memorise it, so that all your classmates will enjoy it too.