Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II (born December 9, 1932 – February … Read Full Bio ↴Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II (born December 9, 1932 – February 4, 2013) was an American jazz, rhythm and blues trumpeter. Born in Detroit, Michigan. He performed with Lionel Hampton before finishing high school. After playing in a military band during a term in the United States Air Force, he obtained a bachelor's degree in music from Wayne State University and a master's degree from Manhattan School of Music. While still at the Manhattan School he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, replacing Clifford Brown. After leaving the Jazz Messengers in 1956 he performed with a wide variety of highly regarded jazz musicians.

In the 1970s, he moved away from his previous hard-bop jazz base and began to record jazz fusion and rhythm and blues. Teaming up with the Mizell Brothers, he produced Black Byrd, which was enormously successful and became Blue Note Records' highest-ever selling album. The follow-up albums, Places and Spaces, Stepping Into Tomorrow, and Street Lady, were also big sellers, and have subsequently provided a rich source of samples for hip-hop artists such as Us3.

He has taught music at Rutgers University, the Hampton Institute, New York University, Howard University, and Oberlin College. In 1974 he created The Blackbyrds, a fusion group consisting of his best students. They scored several major hits, including "Walking In Rhythm" and "Blackbyrds Theme".

Where Are We Going?
Donald Byrd Lyrics

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Oh oh, day in, day out
Sidewalk sleepers turn about
Day by day the work gets done
Day by day another war goes on

Tell me, where are we going?
Oh, what's the future showin'?
Oh, where are we headed?

With all that's goin' on where are we gettin'?

Day in, day out
A little boy and girl are goin' out
Day by day baby's babies are born
Day by day people say, "Right on"

Tell me, where are we going?
Oh oh, what's the future showin'?
Oh, where are we headed?
With all that's goin' on where are we gettin'?

All we need
All we need
All we need
All we need
All we need, oh

Day in day out
It gets better, the people shout
Day by day flames get higher
Lives and pains, yeah they fuel the fire

Tell me, where are we going?
Oh, what's the future showin'?
Oh, where are we headed?
With all that's goin' on where are we gettin'?

Where are we going?
Where are we going?
Where are we going?

With all that's goin' on where are we headin'?
Day by day, baby
(Where are we going?)
Day by day
(Where are we going?)
(Where are we going?)

Day in, day out
(Where are we going?)
Day in, day out
(Where are we going?)
(Where are we going?)

Where are we going?

Where are we going?
Where are we going?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Donald Byrd's song "Where Are We Going?" pose a question about the direction of society and culture. The repetition of "day in, day out" throughout the song, suggests a monotonous or mundane life that is consistently filled with questions about the future. The inclusion of various events, such as "sidewalk sleepers" and "another war," highlights the ongoing struggles and challenges that people are facing.

The lyrics also make reference to the birth of new generations and the continuation of people's lives, suggesting that although life moves on, the question of where society is headed remains. The line "With all that's goin' on where are we gettin'?" emphasizes the chaos and disorder that exists alongside the routine of daily life. Ultimately, the song leaves the listener with a sense of uncertainty and a desire for direction.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh oh, day in, day out
Every day goes by without change

Sidewalk sleepers turn about
Homeless people roam around day and night

Day by day the work gets done
People continue to work hard day by day

Day by day another war goes on
War and violence continue to persist everyday

Tell me, where are we going?
What is the direction we are taking?

Oh, what's the future showin'?
What does the future hold in store for us?

Oh, where are we headed?
In what direction are we moving?

With all that's goin' on where are we gettin'?
What progress are we actually making amidst all the chaos?

A little boy and girl are goin' out
Innocent children continue to grow up and start relationships

Day by day baby's babies are born
The cycle of life and birth continues every day

Day by day people say, "Right on"
People try to stay positive and agree with each other