Strike Up the Band
Ella Fitzgerald / George and Ira Gershwin Song Book Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let the trumpet call
While the people shout
"Strike up the band"
Hear the cymbals ring
Callin' one and all
To the martial swing
There is work to be done, to be done
Let's have fun, fun, fun
Come on you son of a son, of a gun
Take your stand
Fall in line, yea a bow
Come along, let's go
Hey, Leader, strike up the band!
There is work to be done, to be done
Let's have fun, fun, fun
Come on you son of a gun, of a gun
Take your stand
Fall in line, yea a bow
Come on, let's go
Hey, Leader, strike up
Hey, Leader, strike up
Hey, Leader, strike up the band!
"Strike Up The Band" is a lively and patriotic song that has been performed by many jazz musicians and singers over the years. The lyrics begin by calling for the drums and trumpets to play and the people to shout, igniting a sense of excitement and anticipation. The song continues with a call and response between the singer and the cymbals, urging everyone to fall in line and join the band.
The lyrics suggest that there is work to be done, but that doesn't mean there can't be fun along the way. The repetition of "Let's have fun, fun, fun" emphasizes this sentiment and encourages the listener to enjoy themselves while they work. The reference to "son of a gun" is a playful nod to the military-style marching band cadence and adds to the infectious energy of the song.
Overall, "Strike Up The Band" is a spirited call to action that celebrates the power of music to bring people together and lift spirits.
Line by Line Meaning
Let the drums roll out
Begin the music with the drums playing their opening beat
Let the trumpet call
Bring in the trumpets to join the drums in the opening of the song
While the people shout 'Strike up the band'
As the music starts, the audience encourages the band to play by shouting out for them to begin
Hear the cymbals ring
The sound of the cymbals will add to the excitement and power of the song
Callin' one and all
The music is calling for everyone to come together and listen to the sound of the band
To the martial swing
The sound of the music is martial in nature, similar to the sound of military marching bands
Strike up the band
Begin the song fully with all instruments playing their parts
There is work to be done, to be done
There are tasks that need to be completed and the band is ready to work hard to achieve their goals
Let's have fun, fun, fun
But the band also wants to enjoy the process and have a great time playing together
Come on you son of a son, of a gun
The band invites each member to step up and contribute to the performance with their unique skills and talents
Take your stand
Each member of the band should take their place and be ready to play their part in the performance
Fall in line, yea a bow
Everyone should come together and follow the conductor's lead to ensure that the band plays as a single unit
Come along, let's go
The band energizes and encourages each other to play their best and work together to achieve their goals
Hey, Leader, strike up the band!
The band calls on their leader to start the music and set the tempo for the performance
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin Hagler
1 | 00:00 | Ella Fitzgerald - The Man I Love
2 | 03:52 | Ella Fitzgerald - I Got Rhythm
3 | 07:00 | Ella Fitzgerald - 'S Wonderful
4 | 10:31 | Ella Fitzgerald - A Foggy Day
5 | 14:04 | Ella Fitzgerald - Just Another Rhumba
6 | 19:41 | Ella Fitzgerald - Embraceable You
7 | 24:34 | Ella Fitzgerald - Isn't It a Pity?
8 | 28:00 | Ella Fitzgerald - Slap That Bass
9 | 31:23 | Ella Fitzgerald - But Not for Me
10 | 34:58 | Ella Fitzgerald - (I've Got) Beginner's Luck
11 | 38:08 | Ella Fitzgerald - Sam And Delilah
12 | 41:26 | Ella Fitzgerald - Oh, Lady Be Good
13 | 45:28 | Ella Fitzgerald - Ambulatory Suite Promenade (Walking The Dog) - March Of The Swiss Soldiers - Fidgety Feet
14 | 52:44 | Ella Fitzgerald - Shall We Dance?
15 | 55:54 | Ella Fitzgerald - Lorelei
16 | 59:16 | Ella Fitzgerald - Clap Yo' Hands
17 | 1:01:46 | Ella Fitzgerald - Looking for a Boy
18 | 1:04:53 | Ella Fitzgerald - Aren't You Kind Of Glad We Did?
19 | 1:08:23 | Ella Fitzgerald - The Preludes Prelude I - Prelude II - Prelude III
20 | 1:14:58 | Ella Fitzgerald - Soon
21 | 1:17:20 | Ella Fitzgerald - Let's Kiss And Make Up
22 | 1:21:12 | Ella Fitzgerald - By Strauss
23 | 1:23:44 | Ella Fitzgerald - I Can't Be Bothered Now
24 | 1:26:34 | Ella Fitzgerald - Boy Wanted
25 | 1:30:10 | Ella Fitzgerald - Of Thee I Sing (Baby)
26 | 1:33:19 | Ella Fitzgerald - Treat Me Rough
27 | 1:36:16 | Ella Fitzgerald - The Real American Folk Song
28 | 1:40:01 | Ella Fitzgerald - Boy! What Love Has Done To Me!
29 | 1:43:51 | Ella Fitzgerald - Cheerful Little Earful
30 | 1:45:59 | Ella Fitzgerald - Stiff Upper Lip
31 | 1:48:52 | Ella Fitzgerald - Love Is Sweeping The Country
32 | 1:52:19 | Ella Fitzgerald - My Cousin In Milwaukee
33 | 1:55:29 | Ella Fitzgerald - Bidin' My Time
34 | 1:58:11 | Ella Fitzgerald - I Was Doing All Right
35 | 2:01:39 | Ella Fitzgerald - Someone To Watch Over Me
36 | 2:06:13 | Ella Fitzgerald - My One and Only
37 | 2:08:50 | Ella Fitzgerald - Fascinatin' Rhythm
38 | 2:12:16 | Ella Fitzgerald - For You, For Me, For Evermore
39 | 2:15:41 | Ella Fitzgerald - Nice Work If You Can Get It
40 | 2:19:15 | Ella Fitzgerald - Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
41 | 2:23:44 | Ella Fitzgerald - Love Walked In
42 | 2:27:37 | Ella Fitzgerald - Love Is Here To Stay
43 | 2:31:32 | Ella Fitzgerald - You've Got What Gets Me
44 | 2:33:48 | Ella Fitzgerald - Oh, So Nice
45 | 2:37:30 | Ella Fitzgerald - How Long Has This Been Going On?
46 | 2:41:17 | Ella Fitzgerald - Funny Face
47 | 2:44:41 | Ella Fitzgerald - They Can't Take That Away From Me
48 | 2:47:51 | Ella Fitzgerald - Somebody Loves Me
49 | 2:50:29 | Ella Fitzgerald - I've Got A Crush On You
50 | 2:53:59 | Ella Fitzgerald - He Loves And She Loves
51 | 2:56:48 | Ella Fitzgerald - "The Half Of It, Dearie" Blues
52 | 3:00:35 | Ella Fitzgerald - That Certain Feeling
53 | 3:03:39 | Ella Fitzgerald - Somebody From Somewhere
54 | 3:06:48 | Ella Fitzgerald - They All Laughed
55 | 3:09:53 | Ella Fitzgerald - Who Cares?
56 | 3:13:01 | Ella Fitzgerald - Strike Up The Band
57 | 3:15:36 | Ella Fitzgerald - Things Are Looking Up
Mark Blackburn
Nancy Sinatra said a moment ago on her weekly 3-hour show on Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio that, “I always thought it was The Anniversary WALTZ, but no -- it's The Anniversary SONG . . . “
Me too. And I never realized until this moment that Al Jolson had such a great singing voice – a rich textured bass-baritone to go along with his strength in the tenor range.
In our home, our finest music box (the loudest, and with the most complex harmonies) plays this ANNIVERSARY WALTZ (er . . . song). And again, I didn't know till I Googled a moment ago and learned that Al Jolson wrote the words! To a poignant melody by Saul Chaplin. The two new friends were working on a movie together when they came up with this one. A Wiki note (below) about the distinguished career of the melodist, Mr. Chaplin.
Is this one at YouTube? Yes. A superb recording, you may agree. And a vocal timbre that is almost unrivalled. Thanks, Chuck and Nancy for another terrific show.
-----
Saul Chaplin (February 19, 1912 – November 15, 1997) was an American composer and musical director.
He was born Saul Kaplan in Brooklyn, New York. He had worked on stage, screen and television since the days of Tin Pan Alley. In film, he won three Oscars for collaborating on the scores and orchestrations of An American in Paris (1951), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) and West Side Story (1961).
While continuing as a film music supervisor, Chaplin became an associate producer in the early '60s and worked on such major features as Can-Can (1960), West Side Story (1961), I Could Go On Singing (1963), The Sound of Music (1965), STAR! (1968), Man of La Mancha (1972) and That's Entertainment, Part 2 (1976).
He published his autobiography, The Golden Age of Movie Musicals and Me, in 1994. He had worked with and was friends with most of the major songwriters and performers of his era, such as Cole Porter, Ira Gershwin, Al Jolson, Leonard Bernstein, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Phil Silvers, Julie Andrews, Frank Sinatra and others. His memoir focused on the behind the scenes aspect of moviemaking.
In the note about his marriages (two) I just recalled something my favorite NYC member of our family – “Stanley” – shared about Broadway producer, Harold Prince.
“Chaplin married Ethel Schwartz, had one child, a daughter Judith (who married Harold Prince); the couple divorced in 1950. In 1968, Chaplin married Betty Levin, who worked as script supervisor on The Sound of Music . . . “
Thanks for sharing, Timeless Music Box. Celebrated this day at Sinatra Family - Forum - "Siriusly Sinatra" NANCY FOR FRANK https://sinatrafamily.com/forum/showthread.php/51063-NFF-Week-of-November-22-2020-nbsp?p=1298736#post1298736
Bruno Dangrezat
Cela fait quarante ans que j'ai découvert et aime LE Jazz, ce jazz qui swing sous le talent du Duke, de Lionel Hampton, du Count de Basie, de Louis Arsmtrong ... membre du Hot Club de Limoges entre les années 80 et 2000, j'ai eu la chance de participer aux réunions hebdomadaires organisées par et chez Jean Marie Masse* chaque samedi soir avec une quinzaine d'autres 'fidèles' du pape du jazz limougeaud*, il m'a fait découvrir tous les grands jazzmen noirs américains dont Duke Ellington dont ce disque d'anthologie enregistré en 1957 et en direct un vendredi soir à Carroltown, ce soir là l'orchestre du Duke était tellement décontracté que cela s'entend et se perçoit à l'écoute de l'album.
un album mythique, un album d'anthologie, j'oserais même dire l'ALBUM de Duke.
__ ALL STAR ROAD BAND VOLUME 1 :
_ Duke Ellington - Take The A Train ( Live 1957 ) . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvrOVCwUzLc
_ Take The A Train (Ray Nance Vocal) ( Live 1957 )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KJ31bS7hEI
_ Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue ( Live 1957 )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GtYfG577MQ
_ Stardust ( Live 1957 )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQjO6KjxDAo
_ On The Sunny Side Of The Street ( Live 1957 )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AseoBpZPbGI
_ Jeep's Blues ( Live 1957 )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBd2UZkvjxE
- Sophisticated Lady ( Live 1957 )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-x3b0URm4
- Mood Indigo ( Live 1957 )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ricN32SsQj0
- Perdido ( Live 1957 )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5HN3vfF9SY
Springlove
This is beautiful....I can only imagine my parents falling in love to these songs. They were from this era. They are both in heaven now 😔 I’m a product of them........very blessed.
Mark Hoffman
Ditto here...🙂
Meirivam Costa
What a beautiful reflection!
Meirivam Costa
@Mark Hoffman I love Beth Ditto. I live in Brazil.
Célestine Schneegans
@H2D 😍😍😍💋🙈🙊❣❤
AngelSusie57
My dear parents were from that era, I learned my love of big band music and singers like Ella from them. They are in heaven now and I still listen to this wonderful music and think of them.
Kevin Hagler
1 | 00:00 | Ella Fitzgerald - The Man I Love
2 | 03:52 | Ella Fitzgerald - I Got Rhythm
3 | 07:00 | Ella Fitzgerald - 'S Wonderful
4 | 10:31 | Ella Fitzgerald - A Foggy Day
5 | 14:04 | Ella Fitzgerald - Just Another Rhumba
6 | 19:41 | Ella Fitzgerald - Embraceable You
7 | 24:34 | Ella Fitzgerald - Isn't It a Pity?
8 | 28:00 | Ella Fitzgerald - Slap That Bass
9 | 31:23 | Ella Fitzgerald - But Not for Me
10 | 34:58 | Ella Fitzgerald - (I've Got) Beginner's Luck
11 | 38:08 | Ella Fitzgerald - Sam And Delilah
12 | 41:26 | Ella Fitzgerald - Oh, Lady Be Good
13 | 45:28 | Ella Fitzgerald - Ambulatory Suite Promenade (Walking The Dog) - March Of The Swiss Soldiers - Fidgety Feet
14 | 52:44 | Ella Fitzgerald - Shall We Dance?
15 | 55:54 | Ella Fitzgerald - Lorelei
16 | 59:16 | Ella Fitzgerald - Clap Yo' Hands
17 | 1:01:46 | Ella Fitzgerald - Looking for a Boy
18 | 1:04:53 | Ella Fitzgerald - Aren't You Kind Of Glad We Did?
19 | 1:08:23 | Ella Fitzgerald - The Preludes Prelude I - Prelude II - Prelude III
20 | 1:14:58 | Ella Fitzgerald - Soon
21 | 1:17:20 | Ella Fitzgerald - Let's Kiss And Make Up
22 | 1:21:12 | Ella Fitzgerald - By Strauss
23 | 1:23:44 | Ella Fitzgerald - I Can't Be Bothered Now
24 | 1:26:34 | Ella Fitzgerald - Boy Wanted
25 | 1:30:10 | Ella Fitzgerald - Of Thee I Sing (Baby)
26 | 1:33:19 | Ella Fitzgerald - Treat Me Rough
27 | 1:36:16 | Ella Fitzgerald - The Real American Folk Song
28 | 1:40:01 | Ella Fitzgerald - Boy! What Love Has Done To Me!
29 | 1:43:51 | Ella Fitzgerald - Cheerful Little Earful
30 | 1:45:59 | Ella Fitzgerald - Stiff Upper Lip
31 | 1:48:52 | Ella Fitzgerald - Love Is Sweeping The Country
32 | 1:52:19 | Ella Fitzgerald - My Cousin In Milwaukee
33 | 1:55:29 | Ella Fitzgerald - Bidin' My Time
34 | 1:58:11 | Ella Fitzgerald - I Was Doing All Right
35 | 2:01:39 | Ella Fitzgerald - Someone To Watch Over Me
36 | 2:06:13 | Ella Fitzgerald - My One and Only
37 | 2:08:50 | Ella Fitzgerald - Fascinatin' Rhythm
38 | 2:12:16 | Ella Fitzgerald - For You, For Me, For Evermore
39 | 2:15:41 | Ella Fitzgerald - Nice Work If You Can Get It
40 | 2:19:15 | Ella Fitzgerald - Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
41 | 2:23:44 | Ella Fitzgerald - Love Walked In
42 | 2:27:37 | Ella Fitzgerald - Love Is Here To Stay
43 | 2:31:32 | Ella Fitzgerald - You've Got What Gets Me
44 | 2:33:48 | Ella Fitzgerald - Oh, So Nice
45 | 2:37:30 | Ella Fitzgerald - How Long Has This Been Going On?
46 | 2:41:17 | Ella Fitzgerald - Funny Face
47 | 2:44:41 | Ella Fitzgerald - They Can't Take That Away From Me
48 | 2:47:51 | Ella Fitzgerald - Somebody Loves Me
49 | 2:50:29 | Ella Fitzgerald - I've Got A Crush On You
50 | 2:53:59 | Ella Fitzgerald - He Loves And She Loves
51 | 2:56:48 | Ella Fitzgerald - "The Half Of It, Dearie" Blues
52 | 3:00:35 | Ella Fitzgerald - That Certain Feeling
53 | 3:03:39 | Ella Fitzgerald - Somebody From Somewhere
54 | 3:06:48 | Ella Fitzgerald - They All Laughed
55 | 3:09:53 | Ella Fitzgerald - Who Cares?
56 | 3:13:01 | Ella Fitzgerald - Strike Up The Band
57 | 3:15:36 | Ella Fitzgerald - Things Are Looking Up
Brian Wrynn
Thank you.
Lee Anne P.
Thanks but the times are off.
MJ Leger
Thanks loads for listing all these great old songs and times!