He started his career by playing together with Chico Hamilton and Cannonball Adderley.
In the latter half of the 1960s, his own quartet with Keith Jarrett, Cecil McBee and Jack DeJohnette was one of the most popular jazz bands of the time. Their album Forest Flower is one of the best-selling jazz albums ever.
In the 1970s Lloyd was mostly retired from music, but came back in the 1980s after being persuaded doing so by French pianist Michel Petrucciani. His playing style on the tenor is close to that of John Coltrane, though perhaps slightly more lyrical and melodic. His recent albums are all published on the ECM Records label.
Ne me quitte pas
Charles Lloyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then you might as well take the sun away
All the birds that flew in a summer sky
When our love was new and our hearts were high
When the day was young and the night was lo-ong
And the moon stood still for the night birds song
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
Like no day has been or will be again
We'll sail on the sun, we'll ride on the rain
We'll talk to the trees and worship the wind
Then if you go-o I'll understand
Leave me just enough love to fill up my hand
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
If you go away as I know you must
There'll be nothin' left in the world to trust
Just an empty room full of empty space
Like the empty look I see on your face
Can I tell you now as you turn to go
I'll be dying slowly till your next hello
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
But if you stay, I'll make you a night
Like no night has been or will be again
I'll sail on your smile, I'll ride on your touch
I'll talk to your eyes that I-I love so much
But if you go, I won't cry
For the good's gone from goodbye
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
Charles Lloyd's "Ne Me Quitte Pas" is a song that is a masterful blend of melody and lyrics that convey deep emotional depth. The song's lyrics revolve around the theme of lost love and attempt to persuade the subject of the song to stay rather than leave. The opening lines of the song state that if the subject of the song were to leave, it would be like taking the sun away - all the joy and happiness would be gone.
The singer then takes the opportunity to make a compelling case for staying, promising to show them a day like no other, filled with activities that capture the glory of nature. They promise to make the subject's world brighter and more exciting, highlighting the beauty of nature and the joys of simple pleasures. But in the event of departure, the singer tells the subject of the song that they understand and want to keep just enough love to fill up their hand.
The song continues in a similar vein, with the singer trying to entice the subject of the song to stay with promises of more incredible nights and the use of the romantic devices of smile, touch, and adoring eyes. However, the song's last lines suggest that if the subject of the song chooses to leave, the good that came with saying goodbye has already vanished, acquiescing to the inevitable.
Line by Line Meaning
If you go away on this summer day
If you leave me on this sunny day
Then you might as well take the sun away
Your leaving will make the world dark and gloomy
All the birds that flew in a summer sky
All the happy memories we shared during summertime
When our love was new and our hearts were high
When we first fell in love and were filled with joy and excitement
When the day was young and the night was lo-ong
When time seemed to stand still because we were so in love
And the moon stood still for the night birds song
Nature itself seemed to pause and honor our love
But if you go away, If you go away, If you go away
If you leave, everything that was once beautiful will be gone
But if you stay I'll make you a day
If you choose to stay, I will make every moment unforgettable
Like no day has been or will be again
I will love you and cherish you in a way that is unique and special
We'll sail on the sun, we'll ride on the rain
Together we will experience the highs and the lows of life
We'll talk to the trees and worship the wind
We'll find beauty in the simple things and show gratitude for nature's wonders
Then if you go-o I'll understand
If you still choose to leave, I'll accept your decision
Leave me just enough love to fill up my hand
But please don't take all the love we shared with you, leave some for me to hold on to
If you go away as I know you must
I know deep down that you have to leave
There'll be nothin' left in the world to trust
Leaving me will make it impossible for me to trust anyone else
Just an empty room full of empty space
My life without you will be hollow and empty
Like the empty look I see on your face
I see your sadness too and it's breaking my heart
Can I tell you now as you turn to go
Before you leave, can I share one last thing with you?
I'll be dying slowly till your next hello
I'll be counting down the moments until I can see you again
But if you stay, I'll make you a night
If you choose to stay, I'll make every moment magical
Like no night has been or will be again
I'll love and cherish you in a way that's unforgettable
I'll sail on your smile, I'll ride on your touch
I'll find joy and happiness in every little thing you do
I'll talk to your eyes that I-I love so much
I'll get lost in your eyes and tell you how much I love you
But if you go, I won't cry
If you still choose to leave, I won't cry in front of you
For the good's gone from goodbye
Our relationship was once full of love and happiness, but now all that's left is sadness
If you go away, If you go away, If you go away
Leaving me will break my heart, but I'll always cherish the memories we shared
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACQUES ROMAN BREL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind