Henderson was born in Chicago, Illinois. Henderson began his professional music career in 1952, performing in Chicago with Ramsey Lewis, and began recording as a leader after a move to New York in 1958. He subsequently recorded with jazz pianist Horace Silver on a a vocal version of Silver's "Señor Blues" which was a jukebox hit (in the mid-1950s), and remains one of jazz label Blue Note's top-selling singles. Additionally, Henderson performed and recorded with Oscar Peterson (Bill Henderson with the Oscar Peterson Trio), Jimmy Smith, Count Basie, Yusef Lateef, and Eddie Harris. He was under contract to the Vee Jay label between 1958 and 1961, who recorded his first album as leader, Bill Henderson Sings (1958), which features trumpeter Booker Little among the sidemen.
Beginning in the mid-1970s, he frequently appeared on television in supporting, usually one-time roles. His film roles have followed a similar trend — minor and supporting roles.Henderson also recorded his own vocal tracks as "King Blues" for the comedy film Get Crazy (1983). Henderson made a guest vocal appearance on Charlie Haden's album The Art of the Song (1999).
The Folks Who Live On The Hill
Bill Henderson Lyrics
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You and I, shiny and new
Cottage that two can fill
And we'll be pleased to be called
The folks who live on the hill
Someday we may be adding a wing or two
A thing or two
But we will always be called
The folks who live on the hill
Our verandah will command a view of meadows green
The sort of view that seems to want to be seen
And when our kids grow up and leave us
We sit and look at that same old view
Just we two, Darby and Joan
Who used to be Jack and Jill
The folks who like to be called
What they have always been called
The folks who live on the hill
"The Folks Who Live On The Hill" is a classic song about a couple who have a dream of building a home on a hill. The lyrics paint a picture of a simple life filled with love, family, and nature. The song speaks to the idea of finding contentment in the simplicity of life and the beauty of nature. When the couple builds their home, they plan to add wings and make changes as any family would, but they will always be known as "The Folks Who Live on the Hill".
The lyrics also capture the passage of time, as the couple grows old together and their children grow up and leave the nest. They find comfort in sitting on their verandah, looking out at the same view that they have enjoyed throughout their long lives together. The final verse elegantly captures the theme of the song, as the couple, now known as "Darby and Joan" reminisce about the past and the simple life they have lived on the hill. The song ends with the idea that they are perfectly content with being called "The Folks Who Live on the Hill," recognizing that there is no need for anything more in their lives.
Overall, "The Folks Who Live On The Hill" is a beautiful tribute to the simple life, nature, and the enduring love of a couple. The lyrics evoke feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and hopefulness, making it a timeless classic that speaks to audiences of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Someday we'll build a home on a hilltop high
One day we'll have a new home built on top of a hill
You and I, shiny and new
As a couple, we'll be happy and excited about our new home
Cottage that two can fill
A small and cozy house that's perfect for just the two of us
And we'll be pleased to be called
We'll feel proud to be known or referred to as
The folks who live on the hill
Residents of the hilltop home with a great view
Someday we may be adding a wing or two
In the future, we might expand our home with additional rooms
A thing or two
We might add a few more things to our home
We will make changes, as any family will
Just like any family, we'll make changes or improvements to our home
But we will always be called
Regardless of the changes, we'll continue to be known or referred to as
The folks who live on the hill
The name that best represents our home and who we are
Our verandah will command a view of meadows green
Our porch will have an amazing view of green meadows
The sort of view that seems to want to be seen
The view will be so beautiful that people would want to see it
And when our kids grow up and leave us
When our children become independent and move out of the house
We sit and look at that same old view
We'll still spend time admiring the beautiful view from our home
Just we two, Darby and Joan
The two of us, as an older couple
Who used to be Jack and Jill
Once young and in love, like the nursery rhyme characters
The folks who like to be called
We'll prefer to be referred to as
What they have always been called
The name we've had for our home and ourselves all along
The folks who live on the hill
The name that signifies our home, our place, and our identity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar II Hammerstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind