Old Folks
Charlie Parker and His Orchestra Lyrics
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Far, far away
That's where my heart is yearning ever,
Home where the old folks stay
Way down upon the Swanee River,
Far, far away-hey
Whoa, that's where my heart is yearning ever,
All up and down the whole creation,
Sadly I roam
I'm a still a-longin' for the old plantation,
Oh, for the old folks at home
Ah-oh-oh!
Oh, my my!
Well, way down upon the Swanee River,
Far, far away-hey.
Whoa, that's where my heart is yearning ever,
Home where the old folks stay.
All up and down the whole creation,
Sadly I roam.
I'm still a-longin' for the old plantation,
And for the old folks at home.
All the world is sad and dreary,
Ev'rywhere I roam
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary,
Far from the old folks at home
Far from the old folks at home
Far from the old folks at home
Far from the old folks at home
The lyrics of Charlie Parker and His Orchestra's song "Old Folks" tell a story of longing and nostalgia for a simpler time and a familiar place. The opening lines "Way down upon the Swanee River, Far, far away, That's where my heart is yearning ever, Home where the old folks stay" immediately transport the listener to a peaceful and idyllic place, far away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. It is clear that the singer's heart yearns for the comfort and familiarity of home, where the old folks stay.
As the song progresses, the singer laments that he is "sadly roaming" all over creation, still longing for the old plantation and the old folks at home. The repeated refrain of "far from the old folks at home" reinforces the idea that the singer is in a state of sadness and homesickness. The final line, "all the world is sad and dreary, everywhere I roam" leaves the listener with a sense of desperation and isolation.
Overall, the lyrics of "Old Folks" capture the universal feeling of homesickness and nostalgia for a simpler time and a familiar place. The song reminds us that even the most successful and accomplished individuals can still feel a deep connection to their roots and a longing for the people and places that made them who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
Way down upon the Swanee River,
I'm far away on the Swanee River.
Far, far away
I'm really far away from my heart's desire.
That's where my heart is yearning ever,
My heart is always yearning for my true home.
Home where the old folks stay
My true home is where the old folks are.
All up and down the whole creation,
I've been all around the world.
Sadly I roam
I'm wandering around feeling down and lost.
I'm a still a-longin' for the old plantation,
I'm still deeply longing for the place where I come from.
Oh, for the old folks at home
How I wish I could be with the old folks in my true home.
All the world is sad and dreary,
Everywhere I go, everything seems sad and lifeless.
Ev'rywhere I roam
No matter where I wander off.
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary,
Oh, how my heart aches and fills with sorrow.
Far from the old folks at home
As distance separates me from my true home and the old folks there.
Far from the old folks at home
Really far away from where I truly belong.
Far from the old folks at home
So far from the old folks who I miss dearly.
Far from the old folks at home
So distant from my true home and all that I hold dear.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FRANK PLEYER, STEPHEN COLLINS FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FelixScottJr
They were recording 78 RPM records in those days and they were breakable like acetates. Bird played with perfect time so he could come in anywhere and it would fit. I sat on several records which were on a bed I was setting on and broke them accidentally. Yardbird was playing very well on this recording. I can hear him experimenting as he became bolder in his tensions and releases. His harmonic and rhythmic concept were expanding on every round of his choruses. He was surprising himself. LOL
@stefanobonoli8783
Everything he played is full of love. And if I am not mistaken I think I hear Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross mixed in the choir. ❤️
@kempfkempfkempf
It was Dave Lambert's arrangement.
@johnhemphill1938
I love this song, love it. Reminds me of my childhood
@boomerang905
I just have loved the way this man "flew" through notes - Since l was like maybe 5 years old.
@FelixScottJr
Aaron Copeland was bemused by Jazz. 20th Century Music had been explored by the Serious Music Experimentalists before this recording. Jazz seems to have innovated and extended syncopated rhythm more than music here-to-fore. Dave Lambert's vocal arrangement here is very adventurous. He must have known this was going to be a classic recording. There was a little intonation problem in the voices where they were slightly out of sync in places. I like the raw edge.
@aridecompany
Sweet genius great from the soul of a beautiful human being!
@pvelectric
@bapyou other background sounds include the first take on an up-tempo song, and Bird's solo so affects the chorus they break out into a surprised, giddy laughter at Parker's ingeniousness wailing! they'd just never heard such greatness in their entire lives before!
@AlfaAxel
@pvelectric :: What a description, head on nail! There was a scholarly book (which I read when I studied musicology) saying that Parker did not add new means or techniques to the musical array of expressions (or something like that) a statement which may have been influenced by Schoenberg's "search for never heard chords". However, a harmony-theorist will notice that even 12-tone "dodekaphony" chords can be put in existing categories. All this to say "Parker created wonderful music!"
@pvelectric
Not only does Bird talk "tro" the other musicians, here he talks to them as well. My latest hit song is called, He Talks Tu the Animals.