Strange Meadow Lark
Dave Brubeck Lyrics


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What a strange meadow lark,
To be singing oh so sweetly in the park tonight,
All alone meadowlark?
Are you dreaming of the moons that burned so bright,
And of love in flight?

Can't you sleep meadowlark?
Is there nothing left but whistling in the dark so sad?
Was it love meadowlark?
Were the songs you sang last summer crazy mad?
Think of all you had,

A quietness up in the clouds,
Where the soft winds blow,
Far from all the noisy crowds,
Where the earthbound go,

Your wings have brushed against the star,
Boundless were the skies,
You may have flown too high too far,
Love is seldom wise,

Don't you see meadowlark?
Though you try your call wont turn another lark in flight,
He has gone meadowlark,
You can your song until the dawn brings light,
Sing with all your might,




Sing away the dark,
Little meadowlark.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dave Brubeck's song "Strange Meadow Lark" evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a lost love. The meadowlark in the song is alone in the park, singing sweetly but sorrowfully, perhaps dreaming of lost love and the beauty of past experiences. The singer of the song empathizes with the meadowlark, urging it to embrace its loneliness and sing with all its might to fend off the darkness.


The song's lyrics offer a rich metaphor for the human experience of loss and the struggle to find joy amid sorrow. The meadowlark's songs represent the beauty and passion of love, while the darkness symbolizes the pain and isolation of heartbreak. The lyrics suggest that even in the face of loss and loneliness, we have the power to find joy and meaning in the world around us.


Overall, "Strange Meadow Lark" is a song that speaks to the human experience of loss and the power of music and nature to lift us up and help us find our way forward.


Line by Line Meaning

What a strange meadow lark,
Observation of an unusual meadowlark


To be singing oh so sweetly in the park tonight,
Wondering why the meadowlark is singing sweetly in the park at night


All alone meadowlark?
Asking if the meadowlark is alone


Are you dreaming of the moons that burned so bright,
Asking if the meadowlark is dreaming of a bright past


And of love in flight?
Asking if the meadowlark is dreaming of lost love


Can't you sleep meadowlark?
Asking if the meadowlark is unable to sleep


Is there nothing left but whistling in the dark so sad?
Asking if the meadowlark is sad and has nothing else but to sing alone in the dark


Was it love meadowlark?
Asking if the meadowlark's past was full of love


Were the songs you sang last summer crazy mad?
Asking if the meadowlark's past songs were wild and passionate


Think of all you had,
Encouraging the meadowlark to think of its past achievements


A quietness up in the clouds,
Describing a peaceful place in the sky


Where the soft winds blow,
Describing a gentle breeze


Far from all the noisy crowds,
Describing a place away from bustling people


Where the earthbound go,
Describing a place where the grounded beings reside


Your wings have brushed against the star,
Pointing out a high point in the meadowlark's life


Boundless were the skies,
Describing a limitless sky


You may have flown too high too far,
Recognizing that the meadowlark may have gone too far in the past


Love is seldom wise,
Giving advice that love is rarely rational


Don't you see meadowlark?
Asking if the meadowlark understands


Though you try your call won't turn another lark in flight,
Telling the meadowlark that its singing won't change anything


He has gone meadowlark,
Informing the meadowlark that the object of its affection has left


You can sing your song until the dawn brings light,
Encouraging the meadowlark to continue singing


Sing with all your might,
Encouraging the meadowlark to sing with passion


Sing away the dark,
Encouraging the meadowlark to chase away sadness with song


Little meadowlark.
Endearing nickname for the meadowlark




Contributed by Carson P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Darque Wing

There's good music for driving. And good music for fighting. And plenty of really good music for loving. But this - this is music for listening.

Mike McGill

Been listening to this since I can remember, 68 now. It just gets better with time!!

Emmie Cohen

And dancing!!!!!

Diogo José Fernandes

This is music for living

Chuck Harner

This .Is. MUSIC.

Thelonious2Monk

Brubeck is not the greatest jazz pianist in jazz (he would agree), but he has a unique talent to compose on the spot (improvise) very catchy tunes. No wonder this record was a hit. Paul Desmond is one of the best alto players ever. He is both meticulous in his playing as well as share Brubeck's talent in composing on the spot very catchy music. I can whistle the entire record from memory.

jazz4asahel

Eugene Wright, bassist, always there doing an outstanding job. Taken for granted. Huge respect.

jazz4asahel

@Raiden I had not heard that; thank-you, Raiden. Rest in peace, Mr. Wright. May God bless you richly.

Morrismusicpete

Agreed. He had a great sense of accompaniment. He never tried to compete with the soloists and outlined exactly what was needed. Thank you, Eugene 😊🎶🎵🙏🏻

Raiden

He passed away the 30th of December 2020, sadly

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