New Orleans
Count Basie/ Bennie Moten Lyrics
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I miss it, each night and day
The longer I stay away
Miss the moist covered vines
The tall sugar pines
Where mocking birds use to sing
And I like to see the lazy Mississippi
Are hurrying to spring
Of creol tunes that fill the air
I dream of Orleanders in June
And soon I'm wishing that I was there
Do you know what is means to miss New Orleans
And there is something more
I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans
The song, “Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans” by Count Basie and Bennie Moten, is a beautiful ode to the city of New Orleans, written by Eddie DeLange and Louis Alter. The lyrics are poetic and nostalgic, painting picturesque images of the city’s landscape and birdlife. The song’s narrator is expressing deep longing for the city, and is missing it even more with each passing day. He longs for the moist covered vines and is fond of the tall sugar pines. He is also missing the sound of mockingbirds singing and the creole tunes that fill the air.
One of the standout lines in the song is “I like to see the lazy Mississippi hurryin’ to spring,” which is evocative of the city’s geography, as the Mississippi River runs through the heart of New Orleans. The singer is also dreaming of Orleanders in June, which are most likely references to the city’s famous Orleana blossoms, which bloom in the summer. Overall, the song is a tender and heartfelt tribute to one of America’s most culturally rich and historically significant cities.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you know what is means to miss New Orleans
Do you understand the deep emotional attachment one can have for New Orleans?
I miss it, each night and day
I feel homesick for New Orleans constantly, whether day or night.
The longer I stay away
The more time I spend away from New Orleans, the stronger my longing becomes.
Miss the moist covered vines
I miss the sight of the wet vines draping the buildings.
The tall sugar pines
The tall, elegant sugar pines that are prevalent in the region are also sorely missed.
Where mocking birds use to sing
New Orleans is associated with the sweet sound of mocking birds singing.
And I like to see the lazy Mississippi
It brings joy to see the slow, steady flow of the Mississippi River on a pleasant day.
Are hurrying to spring
It's as if the river is eagerly moving forward to the next season.
The mardy grass memories
Fond memories of the marshy grass lining the riverbank come flooding back.
Of creol tunes that fill the air
I still yearn for the sounds of Creole music that once emanated throughout the city.
I dream of Orleanders in June
Oh how I dream of the beautiful Orleander plants that bloom during June in New Orleans
And soon I'm wishing that I was there
It's not long before my wish is that I was back in New Orleans.
And there is something more
In addition to all of the physical aspects of New Orleans, there is always something intangible that is also deeply missed.
I miss the one I care for
Above all else, I miss the loved one that I hold dear to my heart.
More than I miss New Orleans
In fact, missing this person often outweighs the homesickness I have for the city itself.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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