A 1938 hit song by the Andrews Sisters this week became the fifth recording with Minnesota connections chosen for the Library of Congress’ prestigious National Recording Registry of works of historical and cultural significance.

The song "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen” launched the Minnesota trio’s recording career and made Maxene, Patty and LaVerne the first female vocal group to be awarded a Gold Record.

The English-language version of "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen,” a popular song from a Yiddish musical, was adapted by Sammy Cahn. He kept only the Yiddish song title, a phrase repeated throughout the song. (It translates “To me, you are beautiful.”)

The sisters sold more than 75 million records during their career, producing 113 charted Billboard hits well into the 1950s. They appeared in 17 movies, including the 1941 Abbott & Costello film “Buck Privates,” in which they introduced their best-known song, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”

The only surviving Andrews sister is Patty, 91, who lives in California.

"Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen” is one of 25 recordings added this week to the registry for 2008, bringing the archive to 276 entries.

The collection represents a wide range of recorded sound, everything from famous speeches (William Jennings Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” speech and FDR’s “Fireside Chats,” for example) to Orson Welles’ controversial “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast. There also are landmark songs and musicals, as well as news coverage (the Hindenburg crash and Edward R. Murrow’s London rooftop broadcasts during World War II bombings).

The recordings are nominated by members of the Library of Congress’ National Recording Preservation Board and chosen by the librarian.

The other four Minnesota-related recordings -- and the years they were selected -- are:

• NBC radio broadcast coverage of Minnesota aviator Charles Lindbergh’s 1927 arrival and reception in Washington, D.C., following his solo flight across the Atlantic. (2004)
• Grand Rapids’ Judy Garland’s 1961 concert, “Judy at Carnegie Hall. (2003)
• The 1963 album “Freewheelin’,” by Hibbing’s Bob Dylan, that included “Blowin’ in the Wind” and is considered by some among the most important collection of original songs issued in the 1960s. (2002)
• The first Minnesota Public Radio broadcast of Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” on July 6, 1974. (2003)