For 30 years Allan Taylor has been considered as the consummate performer, a writer of literary gracefulness whose troubadour chronicles encapsulate the realism of otherwise unsung heroes, otherwise uncharted lives. His songs are faultlessly constructed and flawlessly performed, with his instantly recognizable voice, attractively dark and mellow, accompanied by his intricately detailed yet full-sounding guitar.
Frenchtown
Allan Taylor Lyrics
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harmony and rhyme
blind man walks the street silver cane beating out time
saxoph one plays a haunting tune
magnolia blossom, heavy perfume
stands by the window
looking out at the street
a dark-skinned lady lies in his bed - restless in the heat
and quietly sighs
hanging on to promises - a lover's lies
two old lovers trying to make it again
just like it used to be way back when
somehow he loved her but it all went wrong
they just ran out of time, they couldn't wait that long
they couldn't wait that long
he turns from the window
and watches her sleep
same loving feeling, old love runs deep
the shadows are fading, the sun is starting to rise
he lies beside her and kisses her eyes
two old lover trying to make it again
just like it used to be way back when
somehow he loved her but it all went wrong
they just ran out of time, they couldn't wait that long
sad song of Frenchtown
harmony and rhyme
blind man walks the street silver cane beating out time
a saxophone plays a haunting tune
magnolia blossom, heavy perfume
The lyrics to Allan Taylor's song "Frenchtown" explore the love story of two old lovers who are trying to make it work again, much like it did in the past. However, the challenges they face are immense - they ran out of time and couldn't wait any longer. The song is a commentary on the timelessness of love and the fact that despite trying to hold on to something, time has the ability to catch up and take it away. It is a sad song of love that is expressed through harmony and rhyme.
The blind man walking the street with his silver cane is a metaphor for the passing of time, which beats out like the cane on the pavement. The saxophone playing a haunting tune and the heavy perfume of the magnolia blossom creates a sensory experience and transports the listener directly into the scene being described. The dark-skinned lady lying in the bed represents a commitment to the relationship that has been made, despite time and circumstance. She hangs on to the promises of the past, even though they were nothing but a lover's lies.
The song is a story of regret, loss and the possibility of second chances. The two old lovers, who somehow loved each other once, couldn't wait long enough for the timing to be right. The lyrics are poignant, and the melody is melancholic, giving the song a mournful yet soulful quality.
Line by Line Meaning
Sad song of Frenchtown
The song is a melancholy tune about the neighborhood of Frenchtown
Harmony and rhyme
The song has a musical arrangement that is pleasing to the ears
Blind man walks the street silver cane beating out time
A sightless man walks along the road, tapping his cane in rhythm
Saxophone plays a haunting tune
The sound of a saxophone creates a captivating and eerie melody
Magnolia blossom, heavy perfume
The air is fragrant with the strong smell of magnolia flowers
Stands by the window
A person is standing near the window
Looking out at the street
The individual is gazing outside, observing the roadside
A dark-skinned lady lies in his bed - restless in the heat
A woman with a dusky complexion is in the man's bed, feeling uneasy due to the warm temperature
She smiles in her sleep
The woman grins while still asleep
And quietly sighs
She lets out a soft breath
Hanging on to promises - a lover's lies
The woman is holding onto the false pledges made by her partner
Two old lovers trying to make it again
The man and woman are attempting to rekindle their former romance
Just like it used to be way back when
They are trying to recreate the relationship they once had
Somehow he loved her but it all went wrong
The man had love for her, but their relationship ultimately fell apart
They just ran out of time, they couldn't wait that long
Their love was too late, and they were unable to wait any longer
They couldn't wait that long
Their love could not be sustained for a prolonged period
He turns from the window
The man looks away from the window
And watches her sleep
He gazes at the woman while she is resting
Same loving feeling, old love runs deep
The man still has strong emotions for the woman after all these years
The shadows are fading, the sun is starting to rise
The light of day is breaking, and the darkness is fading away
He lies beside her and kisses her eyes
The man lays next to her and softly kisses her eyelids
Sad song of Frenchtown
The song is still lamenting the state of Frenchtown
Harmony and rhyme
The song continues to have a harmonious and melodic quality
Blind man walks the street silver cane beating out time
The same sightless man is still tapping his cane, marking the beat
A saxophone plays a haunting tune
The eerie melody of the saxophone continues to play
Magnolia blossom, heavy perfume
The scent of magnolia flowers remains strong in the air
Contributed by Emma N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vladimir Chernishov
Великолепно!
DirkjeA
So amazing, I keep finding this fantastic blues on your channel, even now, after being a member since a year or so, they keep popping up. You don't stop to amaze me with all these new finds. And reading all the kind comments from all those blues lovers from over the world, make me feel like a member of this great big blues family. It may sound strange, but when I became a member, my world was really dark and cold after losing my husband for 43 years, and now, things have lightened up so much more, and a lot of it has to do with all the blues music you share so generously with us. Just wanted to say that I'm really grateful for it. You must make a difference in the lives of so many others, so thank you my friend. 💕
Don's Tunes
Happy to that that my friend! The blues has that special something that heals the soul...Hugs!
stefy red
I met Allan Taylor in 1984 and organized for him two concerts in Padua -Italy. He is one of the most underrated songwriter , as many other , that I know. Traveler and poet .
Nelo
what a beautiful song...I'm suddenly proud to be french
Jesse Wild Pol
Nous, les français sommes champions lorsqu'il s'agit de critiquer notre pays. Cependant la France est un beau pays, avec de très belles régions et de riches cultures, sans oublier de merveilleuses personnes qui y vivent. Regardons le bon côté des choses de temps en temps. J'étais fier, je suis fier, et je serai toujours fier d'être français. N'oublions pas que nous sommes nous même une partie de la France. La haïr en étant français revient à se haïr soi-même.
Sur ce, profitons en effet de cette très belle chanson =)
Patrick Carpin
Nelo faut être fière d’ ou nous venons .👍
Nelo
@Patrick Carpin Exacte. Ca fait déjà 4 ans depuis mon message, aujourd'hui je n'ai plus le même âge ni le même regard évidemment et je suis fière d'être Française :)
Tereza Cristina Meira Faria
Dom... vc sempre me surpreende com suas músicas notáveis! Me ganha através da emoção, fascinação, admiração cada vez mais por vc é seu canal! Nunca deixarei de segui-lo.... vc é fenomenal! Linda música! Linda voz! Obrigada pelo carinho! 5 estrelas 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟e muito mais! 👏👏👏👏🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆❤❤❤💋💋💋🌹🌹🌹🌹💎💎💎💎💎🍸
Don's Tunes
Enjoy dear Tereza!