Dick Haymes (September 13, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Powerful, milky smooth, rich baritone.
Dick Haymes (September 13, 1918 – March 28, 1980) was one of the most popular American male vocalists of the 1940s and early 1950s.
He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His Irish-born mother, Marguerite Haymes (1894-1987), was a well-known vocal coach and instructor. He became the vocalist in a number of big bands, worked in Hollywood on radio and in many films throughout the forties and fifties.
He never became a United States citizen and avoided military service during World War II by asserting his non-belligerent status as a citizen of Argentina, which was neutral. Years later (1955), this act of his nearly caused his deportation to Argentina on an unrelated technicality in immigration law. During World War II, he was briefly detained at Ellis Island.
Haymes was married six times and had six children. His most famous marriages were to film actresses Joanne Dru (1941-1949) and Rita Hayworth (1953-1955). His daughter Stephanie Haymes was married to Sir Elton John's lyricist Bernie Taupin
He died in Los Angeles from lung cancer, at the age of 61.
September Song
Dick Haymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
The lyrics to Dick Haymes's song September Song are extremely poetic and captivating. The first two lines suggest that time seems to move slowly for a significant portion of the year but begins to pick up in September as the days grow shorter. The mention of the autumn weather turning the leaves to flame is a metaphor for the transitional period of life when everything is in flux. The singer is using the changing of the seasons to highlight a particular point in their life when they realize they can no longer afford to be idle. They're alluding to the fact that seasons aren't eternal, and time is finite, so they must take advantage of the time they have.
The chorus highlights the importance of the few precious days they have to spend with someone special. It's almost as if the singer is trying to make the most of the little time they have left with this person, knowing that it may not last long. They want to create significant moments that they'll remember fondly even when the relationship doesn't work out. The lyrics are infused with deep emotions and highlight the fragility of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December
The time between May and December feels like a lengthy period.
But the days grow short when you reach September
However, as soon as September arrives, the days begin to seem shorter.
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
Autumn's weather changes the color of leaves to a fiery tone.
One hasn't got time for the waiting game
There isn't any time to play a waiting game, as life is too short.
Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few
There are only a few days left and they are incredibly valuable and rare.
September, November
September and November are two of these precious few days.
And these few precious days I'll spend with you
I will spend these few, priceless days with you, cherishing each moment.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kurt Weill, Maxwell Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clive Fuller-Hale
One of my favourite Dick Haymes vocals...it is wonderful to hear it on YouTube...thanks for posting this...
John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a 73yo Aussie fan.