Caravan
The Mills Brothers Lyrics
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The myst'ry of their fading light
That shines upon our caravan
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
Across the sand so I may keep
The mem'ry of our caravan
This is so exciting
You are so inviting
Resting in my arms
As I thrill to the magic charms
Of you beside me here beneath the blue
My dream of love is coming true
Within our desert caravan
The Mills Brothers's song Caravan was written in 1936 by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, and Juan Tizol. The song was recorded by several artists, but it became best known when The Mills Brothers covered it in 1937 with a swing jazz arrangement. The lyrics are about two lovers who are travelling in a caravan on a desert at night, surrounded by the mystery of the stars and the fading light. The singer asks his lover to rest upon his shoulder as they slowly move through the sand, wanting to preserve the memory of this precious moment.
The song is a romantic and dreamy portrayal of the desert landscape, describing it as a place where the magic of love can come true. The use of the word "caravan" in the title and throughout the lyrics evokes a sense of adventure, travel, and cultural richness, all of which were common themes in the swing era. The use of syncopated rhythms, vocal harmonies, and scat singing also reflect the influence of African American music, which was gaining popularity in the 1930s.
Line by Line Meaning
Night and stars above that shine so bright
The beauty and mystery of the night sky and the stars shining down upon us.
The myst'ry of their fading light
The enigmatic nature of the stars and how they shine brilliantly for a moment and then fade away.
That shines upon our caravan
The stars and their fading light are shining down upon the singer's caravan.
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
As they travel across the land, the artist asks their companion to rest their head on their shoulder.
Across the sand so I may keep
The artist wants their companion to rest so they can remember this moment and keep it in their memory.
The mem'ry of our caravan
The singer wants to cherish and keep the memory of this special journey together forever.
This is so exciting
The singer is filled with excitement and anticipation for what's to come on this journey.
You are so inviting
The artist finds their companion alluring and irresistible.
Resting in my arms
The two are close and intimate, taking comfort in each other's embrace.
As I thrill to the magic charms
The artist is enchanted by their companion's allure and finds them to be magical.
Of you beside me here beneath the blue
The two are together under the expansive blue sky, taking in the beauty around them.
My dream of love is coming true
The artist's dream of finding love is coming true, as they share this special moment with their companion.
Within our desert caravan
The singer and their companion are traveling together in a caravan through the desert.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RACHEL MARY BERKELEY PORTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidhopkins1786
I've been listening to them for 60 years. I play their music today. They're a most amazing group. The harmony is unmatched.
@belabelasko8223
You have excellent taste.
@joeyburrell3207
Didn’t sing a note and still brought the house down. And when they did sing it was just as beautiful,Now folks c’mon, this is ridiculous talent.
@TheNo1BandDad
Man alive! Talk about, "SMOOTH!" They invented it.
@ed4linda
These guys were the greatest a cappella quarteteEVER!
@user-rv6xv7xy5u
This group has a long outstanding reputation from many celebrities and music professionals. They were among the best during their time.
@usaneebeilles9510
Incredibly impressive. The Mills Brothers music is awesome.
@davidwesley2525
Pure Genius Mills Brothers using only Their Vocals as Musicial instruments.
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
@frankscarborough1428
Love these guys so much so talented
@pianopappy
"Caravan" was written by Juan Tizol, who played valve trombone in Duke Ellington's orchestra. Donald Mills imitated the solo trombone and Harry "played" trumpet.