That's All
Donald Byrd & Pepper Adams Lyrics


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Up in the mornin' out on the job, work like the devil for my pay
But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Fuss with my woman toil for my kids
Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
While that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Good Lawd above, can't you know I'm pinin'
Tears all in my eyes
Send down that cloud with a silver linin'
Lift me to paradise
Show me that river

Take me across and wash all my troubles away
Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day

Up in the mornin' out on the job,
Work like the devil for my pay
But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Fuss with my woman toil for my kids
Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
While that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day

Good Lawd above, can't you know I'm pinin'
Tears all in my eyes
Send down that cloud with a silver linin'
Lift me to paradise
Show me that river

Take me across and wash all my troubles away




Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "That's All" by Donald Byrd & Pepper Adams describe the daily struggles and hardships of the singer's life. The singer wakes up early in the morning and goes to work, putting in a lot of effort and working hard to earn a living. Meanwhile, they observe the sun rolling around in heaven, seemingly with no responsibilities or worries.


The singer mentions their responsibilities to their woman and kids, working tirelessly for them and growing old in the process. But while they are toiling away, the sun continues to roll around in heaven, seemingly carefree and unaffected by the burdens of life.


The lyrics express a sense of longing and yearning for relief. The singer pleads to the "Good Lawd above" for some respite from their struggles. They want a cloud with a silver lining to come down and lift them to paradise, showing them a river that can wash away all their troubles. They envy the sun's leisurely existence and wish for a life where they have nothing to do but roll around in heaven all day.


Overall, the song captures the contrast between the toil and hardships of everyday life and the perceived ease of the sun's existence in heaven. It expresses a desire for relief and a glimpse of a better life.


Line by Line Meaning

Up in the mornin' out on the job, work like the devil for my pay
Every morning, I wake up and go to work, putting in a tremendous amount of effort to earn my wages.


But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
While I toil away, the sun simply exists in the sky, continuing its natural course without any obligations.


Fuss with my woman toil for my kids
I struggle and argue with my partner, working hard to provide for my children.


Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
I work so hard that I perspire until my skin becomes wrinkled and aged.


While that lucky old sun has nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
Meanwhile, the sun continues its carefree journey through the sky, unaffected by the burdens of daily life.


Good Lawd above, can't you know I'm pinin' Tears all in my eyes
Dear Lord, don't you understand that I am yearning for something better? I am filled with tears of longing and frustration.


Send down that cloud with a silver linin' Lift me to paradise
Please bless me with a positive change or opportunity that will bring me joy and transport me to a state of bliss.


Show me that river Take me across and wash all my troubles away
Reveal to me a metaphorical river that can carry me to a place where all my worries and problems are cleansed and disappear.


Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
Just like the carefree sun, grant me the luxury of having nothing to worry about, allowing me to enjoy life without any responsibilities.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Beasley Smith, Haven Gillespie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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