Cherokee
Charlie Parker & Jay McShann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't forget you, Cherokee sweetheart.
Child of the prairie, your love keeps calling,
My heart enthralling, Cherokee.
Dreams of summertime, of lover time gone by,
Throng my memory so tenderly, and sigh. My
Sweet Indian maiden, one day I'll hold you,
In my arms fold you, Cherokee.
The song "Cherokee" by Charlie Parker is a classic jazz tune that tells the story of a man who is deeply in love with a Native American woman. The lyrics describe the man's intense feelings for the woman, whom he refers to as a "sweet Indian maiden" and a "Cherokee sweetheart." Despite the distance between them, the man cannot forget her and dreams of holding her in his arms one day.
The song evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia, as the man remembers the "summertime" and "lover time gone by." He recalls his memories of the woman and sighs, suggesting that these thoughts bring him both joy and sorrow. The melody of the song is haunting and beautiful, fitting perfectly with the poetic lyrics.
Overall, "Cherokee" is a timeless jazz standard that showcases the brilliance of Charlie Parker's musical genius. It captures the essence of love, longing, and the struggle to hold on to memories that are both beautiful and painful.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you,
I can't forget you, Cherokee sweetheart.
Since I met you, my dear Indian woman, I am unable to forget you, my love.
Child of the prairie, your love keeps calling,
My heart enthralling, Cherokee.
As a girl who was born and grew up on the grasslands of prairie, your love keeps calling me and enthralling my heart.
Dreams of summertime, of lover time gone by,
Throng my memory so tenderly, and sigh. My
Sensory memories of summer and past romantic times come back to me vividly, making me reminisce and sigh heavily.
Sweet Indian maiden, one day I'll hold you,
In my arms fold you, Cherokee.
My dear Indian woman, I long for the day I'll hold you and embrace you tightly in my arms.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: RAY NOBLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@garyfoster3854
NOT JAY McSHANN. Recorded live at Clark Monroe's Uptown House in 1942, NYC. Monroe's house band featuring Charlie Parker (alto sax). Unknown trumpet & reeds, Allen Tinney (piano) Ebenezer Paul (bass) unknown drummer.
@Da_Publick
That's even better. I didn't think anybody recorded anything from Monroe's Uptown House. The 'birth of Bop' recordings are usually presented as being from Minton's.
@GregoryLuce
Bird of course is brilliant, but let's not overlook the remarkable pianist and bandleader who employed him here. The Man From Muskogee deserves major acclaim.
@NoName-tq7qc
You can hear some lines from 'Ko-Ko' in Parker's solo. He's, as Miles would say, a terrible mother......!
@worsley1000
YUP....
@henrykornfeld9893
wow, early bird. it's so cool to hear his musical style as it was early on. but he already seems to have woodshedded enough
@wstewic
Charlie Charlie Charlie, we love you madely!!!!
@aonevarietystore7205
He can't be more than 18 years old on this. Pure genius.
@garyfoster3854
Parker was born in 1920 which would make him 21 or 22 at the time this was recorded (1942?).
@SELMER1947
Birth of a genius to come