David Warren Brubeck (born December 6, 1920 in Concord, California - Decemb… Read Full Bio ↴David Warren Brubeck (born December 6, 1920 in Concord, California - December 5, 2012) was an American jazz pianist who has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". He was probably best known for "Take Five", written by saxophone player Paul Desmond, who was the saxophonist in The Dave Brubeck Quartet. Due to the immense popularity of his work, Brubeck had won multiple awards such as a lifetime achievement award from the Grammys in 1996, a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship in 1999, and a Kennedy Center Honor in 2009.

Brubeck's style ranged from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills. Much of his music employed unusual time signatures, a fact jokingly referred to by his greatest hits album 'Time Signatures: A Career Retrospective'. Upon his death, a number of commentators noted his crossover appeal to mainstream pop audiences, something putting him in the company of other jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong and Herbie Hancock among others.

Here Lies Love
Dave Brubeck Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's very clear, our love is here to stay
Not for a year but ever and a day
The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know
May just be passing fancies and in time may go

But oh, my dear, our love is here to stay
Together we're going a long, long way
In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble

They're only made of clay
But our love is here to stay

In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble

They're only made of clay
But our love is here to stay

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Here Lies Love" by Dave Brubeck convey a profound sense of enduring love and its resilience in the face of passing trends and the transitory nature of the world around us. The opening stanza establishes the unequivocal nature of the love being expressed, emphasizing that it is not a fleeting infatuation but a love that is steadfast and enduring. It suggests that while other forms of entertainment and communication, such as the radio, telephone, and movies, may come and go, their significance in our lives is temporary and superficial in comparison to the lasting nature of true love.

The second stanza continues to emphasize the permanence of this love by juxtaposing it with images of monumentality and stability. The references to the Rockies crumbling and Gibraltar tumbling metaphorically represent the strongest physical structures giving way, suggesting that even these seemingly unmovable forces are susceptible to change and decay. However, the lyrics reassure us that despite these upheavals, our love remains unyielding and constant. The use of the clay metaphor suggests that everything in the world, no matter how solid it seems, is ultimately fragile and susceptible to erosion or destruction.

Overall, the lyrics depict a love that transcends time and the changing nature of the external world. It suggests that while everything else may fade away, crumble, or collapse, love endures. It implies a deep sense of commitment and belief in the power of love to withstand the tests of time and external circumstances. The song's message is a testament to the enduring power of love and its ability to provide a sense of stability and comfort in an ever-changing world. It reminds us that despite the impermanence of many things in life, love is the one constant that remains.

Line by Line Meaning

It's very clear, our love is here to stay
Our love is permanent and undeniable

Not for a year but ever and a day
Our love will last forever, beyond any temporary time frame

The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know
Modern technologies and forms of entertainment

May just be passing fancies and in time may go
They are fleeting and can disappear with time

But oh, my dear, our love is here to stay
Our love is unwavering and enduring

Together we're going a long, long way
We are embarking on a lifelong journey together

In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble
Even monumental natural structures can decay or collapse

They're only made of clay
Their existence is temporary and fragile

But our love is here to stay
Our love is everlasting and unbreakable

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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