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.
Lullaby in Rhythm
Dave Brubeck Lyrics
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Here my lullaby in rhythm
Dream your dreams and wonder rhythm
Evening drowns will come and take you
Through the night
To my lullaby in rhythm
Rest my lovely nothing wake you
Tearful lie
Stars, there's were those shadows fee
The moon man's gonna swing you
A part swing you to sleeping
My lullaby in rhythm
Dream your dreams and wonder rhythm
Say man's gonna come on make you
Sleep good-night
Sleep good-night
The song “Lullaby in Rhythm” by Dave Brubeck is a soothing and melodic tune that is meant to lull the listener into a peaceful sleep. The main theme of the song is rhythm, which is also reflected in the lyrics. The singer repeatedly asks the listener to “dream your dreams and wonder rhythm”, urging them to fall into a rhythm of deep sleep. The evening is described as drowning the listener, as though they are being immersed in a sea of sleep. The lyrics also describe how stars cast shadows that evoke a sense of peacefulness while the moon “swings” the listener to sleep. The song urges the listener to surrender to the rhythm of sleep and let their worries and tears disappear while being transported to a peaceful slumber.
One interpretation of the song's lyrics is that they may be about the singer’s child or lover, and they sing a lullaby to them, hoping to ease their worries and sorrows into a comfortable sleep. The idea of “rhythm” is used throughout the song to help create the intended effect. In essence, the musician employs the rhythm of the music to create a soothing atmosphere that will calm and ease the listener before they drift off to sleep.
Line by Line Meaning
Here my lullaby in rhythm
Listen to my soothing melody with a rhythmic pattern
Dream your dreams and wonder rhythm
Let your imagination run wild while enjoying the rhythmic tune
Evening drowns will come and take you
As the night approaches, let the music envelop you and lull you to sleep
Through the night
All through the night, let my rhythmic music be your companion
To my lullaby in rhythm
Find solace and comfort in my rhythmic song
All, the breeze sigh in rhythm
Nature echoes the rhythm of my song with a gentle breeze
Rest my lovely nothing wake you
May you feel at ease, and no disturbance wakes you from peaceful sleep
Tearful lie
No need to cry. Relax and let my music put you at ease
Stars, there's were those shadows fee
As the stars cast their shadowy light, let my music be the light that guides you through the night
The moon man's gonna swing you
The moon's gentle sway complements the rhythm of the melody, putting you into a state of calm
A part swing you to sleeping
The rhythm of the music accompanies the motion of the moon's swing and puts you to sleep
Say man's gonna come on make you
Allow the rhythm to influence you, and let it take you farther into relaxation
Sleep good-night
Rest well, and let the rhythm of the melody lull you into peaceful slumber
Writer(s): Benny Goodman, Edgar Sampson, Clarence Profit, Walter Hirsch
Contributed by Chase T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.