Shepp was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 24th, 1937, but raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he studied piano, clarinet and alto saxophone before focusing on tenor saxophone (he occasionally plays soprano saxophone). He is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late sixties which focused on highlighting the injustices faced by people of African descent. He is also known for his 60's work with the New York Contemporary Five with co-founder Don Cherry and Shepp's collaborations with his "New Thing" contemporaries, most notably Cecil Taylor and John Coltrane, but also Roswell Rudd and Bobby Hutcherson.
Considered a jazz great, saxophonist Archie Shepp recorded albums like Poem For Malcolm and Live in Antibes for labels like Verve and Impulse. He was active in academia at SUNY Buffalo as a professor of African American Studies and the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a professor of music. He played with other notable musical radicals including Frank Zappa and provided the musical score to the movie Gotta Dance and is featured on the 1984 Wilebski's Blues Saloon Festival DVD.
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?
Archie Shepp Lyrics
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And miss it each night and day
I know I'm not wrong, the feeling's getting stronger
The longer I stay away
Miss the moss-covered vines, tall sugar pines
Where mockingbirds used to sing
I'd love to see that old lazy Mississippi
The moonlight on the bayou
A Creole tune that fills the air
I dream about magnolias in bloom
And I'm wishin' I was there
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
When that's where you left your heart
And there's one thing more, I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans
Archie Shepp’s song “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans” is a poignant testament to the city’s unique culture, its rich history, and its enduring symbolism. The song speaks to the deep emotional attachment people have to New Orleans, to its beauty, its music, and the sense of belonging that comes with being a part of its vibrant community. Throughout the song, Shepp highlights various elements of New Orleans’ charm, from the moss-covered vines to the lazy Mississippi, to the Creole tunes that fill the air. Shepp also touches on the emotional toll that being away from the city can take, particularly when it comes to missing loved ones.
The song has become an essential part of the New Orleans songbook, an iconic and evocative ode to a city that has been celebrated and immortalized in music for generations. The lyrics are timeless and universally relatable, capturing the essence of homesickness and the yearning for a sense of place. Shepp’s soulful and deeply felt performance adds a layer of emotion to the already powerful words, making this song an enduring classic and a testament to the beauty and power of New Orleans.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
Have you ever felt the sadness and longing that comes with being away from New Orleans?
And miss it each night and day
I feel the absence of New Orleans constantly, both during the day and at night.
I know I'm not wrong, the feeling's getting stronger
I am sure that my longing for New Orleans is not mistaken, and as time passes, the feeling intensifies.
The longer I stay away
The longer I am away from New Orleans, the stronger my desire to return becomes.
Miss the moss-covered vines, tall sugar pines
I long for the beautiful natural elements of New Orleans, such as the mossy vines and tall pine trees.
Where mockingbirds used to sing
I miss the sweet sounds of mockingbirds singing in those trees.
I'd love to see that old lazy Mississippi
I would give anything to witness the mighty Mississippi River slowly flowing by once more.
Hurrying into Spring
It fills me with longing to think of the Mississippi racing towards spring and new growth in the city.
The moonlight on the bayou
How I miss the subtle and romantic glow of the moonlight on the bayou.
A Creole tune that fills the air
I yearn for the sounds of New Orleans music, especially the unique and rich Creole style.
I dream about magnolias in bloom
My heart aches to see the stunning magnolias in full bloom, something that can only be found in New Orleans.
And I'm wishin' I was there
I can't help but dwell on my desire to be back in New Orleans, and I miss it deeply.
When that's where you left your heart
New Orleans is a place that captures and holds my heart, making it feel like my true home.
And there's one thing more, I miss the one I care for
On top of missing the city and all its wonders, I also greatly miss someone I love who is still in New Orleans.
More than I miss New Orleans
Despite my love for the city, the person I miss is even more important to me.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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