Rockin' Chair
Bix Beiderbecke & Hoagy Carmichael Lyrics

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Old rockin' chair's got me, my cane by my side
Fetch me that gin, son, 'fore I tan your hide
Can't get from this cabin, goin' nowhere
Just set me here grabbin' at the flies round this rockin' chair

My dear old aunt Harriet, in Heaven she be
Send me sweet chariot, for the end of the trouble I see
Old rockin' chair gets it, Judgement Day is here

Chained to my rockin' chair

Old rockin' chair's got me, son, (Rocking chair got you, father)
My cane by my side, (Yes, your cane by your side)
Now fetch me a little gin, son (Ain't got no gin, father)
What? 'fore I tan your hide, now, (You're gonna tan my hide)

You know, I can't get from this old cabin (What cabin? joking)
I ain't goin' nowhere (Why ain't you goin' nowhere?)
Just sittin' me here grabbin' (Grabbin')
At the flies round this old rockin' chair (Rockin' chair)

Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet, (Aunt Harriet)
How long in Heaven she be? (She's up in Heaven)
Send me down, send me down sweet (Sweet chariot) chariot
End of this trouble I see (I see, Daddy)

Old rockin' chair gets it, son (Rocking chair get it, father)

Judgement Day is here, too (Your Judgement Day is here)
Chained to my rockin', old rockin' chair

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bix Beiderbecke & Hoagy Carmichael's song, Rockin' Chair, are a poignant reflection on old age and mortality. The singer is an old man who is stuck in his cabin, unable to leave due to his physical limitations. He is resigned to his fate and spends his time sitting in his old rocking chair, swatting at flies. The image of the old man in his rocking chair is a classic symbol of old age and relaxation, but in this song, it takes on a melancholy tone. The old man is not content with his lot in life, and he knows that his time is running out. He longs for the sweet release of death, which he sees as the only way to escape his pain and suffering.

The second verse of the song introduces the character of the singer's "dear old aunt Harriet." She has passed away and gone to heaven, and the singer hopes that she will send a "sweet chariot" to take him away from his troubles. The image of the chariot is a reference to the Biblical story of Elijah, who was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. The singer sees death as a release from his earthly troubles, and he longs for the peace that comes with eternal rest.

Line by Line Meaning

Old rockin' chair's got me, son,
The rocking chair has you, father

My cane by my side,
Your cane is there right beside you

Now fetch me a little gin, son
Now go and get me some gin, son

What? 'fore I tan your hide, now,
What, you don't have any gin? I might have to punish you

You know, I can't get from this old cabin
I'm stuck in this old cabin

I ain't goin' nowhere,
I don't have anywhere else to go

Just sittin' me here grabbin'
I'm just sitting here trying to catch these annoying flies

At the flies round this old rockin' chair
They keep buzzing around this old rocking chair

Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet,
Do you remember your aunt Harriet?

How long in Heaven she be?
She's been in Heaven for a while, you know that

Send me down, send me down sweet chariot
I wish I could be taken away from this trouble (like in the song 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot')