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.

Lonesome
Dave Brubeck Lyrics

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Look down, look down that lonesome road
Before you travel on.

Look down, look down that lonesome road
Before you travel on.
Look up, look up and greet your maker,
For Gabriel blows his horn.

Weary, totin' such a load,
Travelin' down that lonesome road,
Look down, look down that lonesome road
Before you travel on.

Weary totin', it's such a load,
Whike I'm travelin' down, travelin' down that lonesome old road,

Look down, look down that lonesome road
Before you travel on.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dave Brubeck's song "The Lonesome Road" speak to the symbolism of a journey through life, urging the listener to reflect on their path before continuing onward. The road is depicted as lonesome and wearisome, implying that the journey can be challenging and lonely. The repeated phrase "look down, look down that lonesome road" suggests the importance of introspection and self-reflection before progressing further.

The second stanza, "look up, look up and greet your maker, for Gabriel blows his horn," introduces a religious element to the lyrics. It alludes to the biblical notion of Gabriel, the angel who will sound the trumpet on Judgment Day, signaling the end of the world. This line could be interpreted as a reminder to acknowledge one's mortality and the ultimate destination of the journey.

The repetition of the phrase "weary, totin' such a load" emphasizes the burdens and hardships that one may carry throughout their life. It could be seen as an encouragement to let go of these burdens or find solace in the shared experience of struggle.

Overall, "The Lonesome Road" can be interpreted as a contemplation on the human condition and the need for self-reflection and spiritual awareness as one navigates through life's challenges.

Line by Line Meaning

Look down, look down that lonesome road
Take a moment to reflect and observe the difficult path ahead.

Before you travel on.
Before proceeding further on your journey.

Look up, look up and greet your maker,
Shift your perspective and acknowledge the divine presence above.

For Gabriel blows his horn.
Signifying an important event or awakening.

Weary, totin' such a load,
Feeling exhausted while carrying a heavy burden.

Travelin' down that lonesome road,
Continuing the journey along the solitary and challenging path.

Look down, look down that lonesome road
Reminding oneself to stay focused and aware of the difficult path.

Before you travel on.
Before proceeding further on your journey.

Weary totin', it's such a load,
Feeling tired while carrying the heavy burdens of life.

Whike I'm travelin' down, travelin' down that lonesome old road,
As I continue my journey along the arduous and desolate path.

Look down, look down that lonesome road
Drawing attention to the challenging path once again.