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.

September Song
Dave Brubeck Lyrics

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Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December
But the days grow short when you reach September
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
One hasn't got time for the waiting game

Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few
September, November
And these few precious days I'll spend with you

These precious days I'll spend with you

Overall Meaning

The song "September Song" is a reflection on the passage of time, and the way in which life seems to fly by in the blink of an eye. The opening lyrics, "Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December," set the tone for a meditative and melancholy piece of music. The singer goes on to talk about how time seems to accelerate as we grow older, particularly when we reach the month of September. The fall weather is a symbol for the way in which things come to an end and there is a sense of closure and finality.

The final verse of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer talks about how much they cherish the time they have left with the person they love. These "precious days" are to be treasured, because they are all we have. The lyrics speak to the universal human experience of the fleeting nature of life, and the way in which we must savor every moment while we can.

Overall, "September Song" is a beautiful and melancholy reflection on the passage of time and the importance of appreciating the moments we have. It is a classic example of a song that speaks to the human condition and has resonated with audiences for decades.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December
The time between the start of summer and end of winter is quite long.

But the days grow short when you reach September
As September approaches, the days become shorter and time seems to speed up.

When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
As the weather gets colder, the leaves on the trees change color and fall.

One hasn't got time for the waiting game
No one likes to wait around during the short, fleeting days of autumn.

Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few
As autumn progresses, there are fewer and fewer days left to savor.

September, November
The months of September and November are particularly poignant during this time.

And these few precious days I'll spend with you
I want to make the most of the limited time we have left together before the season ends.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kurt Weill, Maxwell Anderson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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