Chelsea Bridge
& Billy Strayhorn; Ben Webster Lyrics


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I was a stranger in the city
Out of town were the people I knew
I had that feeling of self-pity
What to do, what to do, what to do?
The outlook was decidedly blue

But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known

A foggy day, in London town
Had me low, had me down
I viewed the morning with much alarm
British museum had lost it's charm

How long I wondered
Could this thing last
But the age of miracles hadn't past
For, suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town
The sun was shining everywhere

For, suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town
The sun was shining everywhere

Everywhere




Everywhere
Everywhere

Overall Meaning

The song "Chelsea Bridge" by Billy Strayhorn and Ben Webster is a love song about finding hope and joy in unexpected places. The lyrics describe the feeling of being lost and alone in a big city, with no connection to the people or places around you. The singer is experiencing self-pity and despair as he wanders through the streets of London, feeling as though he has lost his way.


However, everything changes when he sees the person he loves. Suddenly, the foggy city is transformed into a bright, shining place where anything is possible. The lyrics suggest that the power of love can overcome any obstacle, no matter how large or insurmountable it may seem.


Line by Line Meaning

I was a stranger in the city
I didn't know anyone in the city


Out of town were the people I knew
The people I knew were not in the city with me


I had that feeling of self-pity
I felt sorry for myself


What to do, what to do, what to do?
I didn't know what to do about my situation


The outlook was decidedly blue
The future looked bleak


But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
I walked alone through the foggy streets


It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known
It was my lucky day


A foggy day, in London town
It was a foggy day in London


Had me low, had me down
I was feeling sad and down


I viewed the morning with much alarm
I was worried about the morning


British museum had lost it's charm
The British museum didn't interest me anymore


How long I wondered
I wondered how long my situation would last


Could this thing last
I questioned whether my situation was permanent


But the age of miracles hadn't past
I realized that miracles still happen


For, suddenly, I saw you there
I saw someone I knew unexpectedly


And through foggy London town
Even though it was foggy, London still looked beautiful


The sun was shining everywhere
Everything seemed bright and positive


Everywhere
All around me


Everywhere
All around me


Everywhere
All around me




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY STRAYHORN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@clivecolledge4191

I heard Ben play this live in 1964 at Ronnie Scott’s old place. That huge sound in such a small room was magnificent. Changed my life.

@rhythmfield

A treasured memory - its great hearing it from someone who was there

@claudiopontes5191

Ben Webster one of the greatest sax tenor I've ever heard in all my life. Wonderful!👍

@donnawilcox7938

I get so tired of the trash the internet brings us, but I can't bless it enough for this kind of wonderful music. The fact that we can hear and sometimes witness the truly greats of jazz is so terrific. Thank you.

@rmoraespinto

Ben was such a master on every aspect of music playing. The air, the slurs and the tone. And the ability of playing the second part of this haunting tune without loosing the mood. I feel blessed for hearing him after so many years have passed.

@ocnoreen

One of my faves, Chelsea Bridge! You don't hear this stuff on the so-called jazz stations any longer. They are busy playing some half-playin' lotsa' notes dudes. I am able to appreciate technicality as well as the next person, but sometimes leave out a few notes!

@neilbombd

I was looking for good Ben Webster performances of Chelsea Bridge, and this is phenomenal, thank you for uploading! Strayhorn was amazing.

@jameschristiansson3137

Ben Webster and Gerry Mulligan recorded this twice in 1959, both takes worth a listen.

@ssg263

Ben Webster was simply the best ballad saxophonist. I would've loved to have heard him play ballads with Bill Evans.

@pevensielavere9451

Agreed with you 100%. :) :)

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