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Summertime
Billie Holiday Lyrics


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Summertime and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high

Oh your Daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'
So hush little baby, don't you cry

One of these mornings
You're goin' to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take the sky
But 'til that morning
There's a nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin' by

One of these mornings
You're goin' to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take the sky
But 'til that morning
There's a nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin' by

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Billie Holiday's song "Summertime" are a reflection on the simple pleasures of summer and the reassurance of familial support. The opening line, "Summertime and the livin' is easy" presents an idyllic vision of summer, where the fish are jumping and the cotton is high. The second line, "Oh your Daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'," suggests that the singer is addressing a child, perhaps their own, and that they come from a place of privilege.


The lyrics in the following lines, "So hush little baby, don't you cry/One of these mornings/You're goin' to rise up singing/Then you'll spread your wings/And you'll take the sky," encourage the child to embrace their potential and future. There is a sense of hope and optimism in the idea that the child will one day rise up and take on the world with their own abilities. In the chorus, the repeated line "But till that morning/There's a nothin' can harm you/With daddy and mammy standin' by" reassures the child that they are safe and protected by their caregivers until they are ready to face the world on their own.


Overall, Billie Holiday's "Summertime" is a soothing lullaby that celebrates the joy of summer and the reassurance of family support. The lyrics paint a picture of a world full of possibilities and encourage the listener to embrace their potential.


Line by Line Meaning

Summertime and the livin' is easy
The time of year is summer, and everything feels relaxed and simple.


Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Nature all around is vibrant and active during this season.


Oh your Daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'
You come from a family that has money and is attractive.


So hush little baby, don't you cry
Don't worry, everything is going to be alright.


One of these mornings
At some point in the future.


You're goin' to rise up singing
You will wake up feeling happy and excited.


Then you'll spread your wings
You will feel free and unencumbered.


And you'll take the sky
You will be able to do whatever you want.


But till that morning
Until that moment arrives.


There's a nothin' can harm you
You are protected and safe.


With daddy and mammy standin' by
Your family is there to support and help you.




Lyrics © ACUM Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Heyward, Du Bose Heyward, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

the account

lyrics:
Summertime and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'
So hush little baby, don't you cry

One of these mornings, you're goin' to rise up singin'
Then you spread your wings and you'll take the sky
But 'til that mornin', there's nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin' by

One of these mornings, you're goin' to rise up singin'
Then you spread your wings and you'll take to the sky
But 'til that mornin', there's nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mammy's hand in mine



Limits98

Lyrics

Summertime,
And the living is easy
Fish are jumping
And the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and
Your ma is good-looking
So hush, little baby,
Don't you cry

One of these mornings
You're gonna rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky
But till that morning,
There ain't nothing can harm you
With daddy and mammy standing by

(Solo)

One of these mornings
You're gonna rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky
But till that morning,
There ain't nothing can harm you
With daddy and mammy standing by



All comments from YouTube:

Victoria

I love hearing Billie sing very dark songs. She's just been through so much that I feel like it fits her so well, and she's really good at getting you drawn into it. Her voice is just so... Irresistible. I would do anything, or give anything to have been able to see her sing live.

ShowBiz Stories

WOW!!! Check out the powerful and poignant performance of Strange Fruit by the amazing 3 MO' DIVAS on the Showbiz Stories channel! A very unique arrangement combined with the rarely heard Lament!

damon gardiner

in 2021 white is the new black!

Ꮢᴀɢɢᴀᴍᴜғғɪɴ

@damon gardiner L

John Doe

Rhia 88

I agree......110% about your description and feelings.
Her way of singing this.....so much character.

Helena Correia

Summertime is originally a lullaby

1 More Replies...

Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat

My great grandma was born the same year has this singer of this song and she's still alive at age 101!

David Kirouac

that must be wonderful to still have the chance to talk to her :)

Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat

David Kirouac Yeah, but she doesn't remember anything though

David Kirouac

oh i'm sorry my grandmother too has alzheimer disease before she passes away

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