The song has been identified as a development of a
Cuban folk song entitled "La Canción del Árbol", traditional with new lyrics added by Manuel Lliso in 1936, whose title translates as "the song of the tree", the
royal poinciana being a favorite
Caribbean flowering plant. However, composer Nat Simon would claim the song's tune came to him while he was dining at the famous Italian restaurant Mamma Leone's in
Manhattan's Theater District, and that he jotted down a rough draft of the melody on the tablecloth whichwith Leone's permissionhe took home to work out the completed melody at his piano. Lyrics for the song were completed in about thirty minutes by Buddy Bernier, who cited as his inspiration a postcard of a royal Poinciana tree he had recently received from Florida. Reportedly "Poinciana" was largely overlooked for several years, being somewhat longer than a typical contemporary song. Orchestra leader
Jerry Wald was a rare early aficionado of the song, and Wald's showcasing of "Poinciana" during his 1943 gig at the
Hotel New Yorker has been credited with boosting its profile, "Poinciana" being recorded in 1943 by
Glenn Miller with his Army Air Force Band, with three 1944 recordings of the song afforded hit statusthose by
Benny Carter and His Orchestra;
Bing Crosby (recorded October 1, 1943); and
David Rose and His Orchestra. == Notable recordings ==