Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as "Lady Ella"… Read Full Bio ↴Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as "Lady Ella", and the "First Lady of Song", was an American jazz vocalist.

Louis Armstrong (1901 - 1971) was a trumpet player, singer, and bandleader, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the history of jazz.

A Woman Is a Sometime Thing
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics

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(To Clara)
What, that chile ain`t asleep yet? Give him to me.
I`ll fix him for you.
(Jake takes the baby from Clara)

Lissen to yo` daddy warn you,
`Fore you start a-travelling,
Woman may born you, love you and mourn you,

But a woman is a sometime thing,
Yes, a woman is a sometime thing.

Oh, a woman is a sometime thing.

Yo` mammy is the first to name you,
Then she`ll tie you to her apron string,
Then she`ll shame you and she`ll blame you
Till yo` woman comes to claim you,
`Cause a woman is a sometime thing,
Yes, a woman is a sometime thing.

Oh, a woman is a sometime thing.

Don`t you never let a woman grieve you
Just 'cause she got yo` weddin` ring.
She`ll love you and deceive you,
Take yo` clothes and leave you
`Cause a woman is a sometime thing.

Yes, a woman is a sometime thing.
Yes, a woman is a sometime thing,
Yes, a woman is a sometime thing.

There now, what I tells you; he`s asleep already.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing" describe the inconsistent and unreliable nature of women, according to the singer. The song begins with Jake, the father of the baby, taking the child from Clara, who is presumably the mother. He then warns and cautions the child, telling him to be careful of women when he travels. He states that a woman can give birth to a child, love and grieve them, but can also be inconsistent at times.

The lyrics then further emphasize that a woman is not to be trusted or relied on completely. The singer narrates that the mother is the one who names the child and ties him to her apron string, but also shames and blames him until his woman comes to claim him. The song goes on to suggest that a woman may deceive and even leave a man after taking his clothes, because a woman is an unpredictable entity. The song closes with the child having already fallen asleep agreeing with Jake's words.

Line by Line Meaning

Lissen to yo` daddy warn you,
Listen to the advice of your elders before you go on your travels

`Fore you start a-travelling,
Before you embark on your journey

Woman may born you, love you and mourn you,
Women can give birth to you, love you, and mourn for you when you die

But a woman is a sometime thing,
But women are changeable and unpredictable creatures

Yes, a woman is a sometime thing.
Yes, women can be infrequent and variable

Yo` mammy is the first to name you,
Your mother is the first one to give you your name

Then she`ll tie you to her apron string,
She'll keep you close to her and protect you

Then she`ll shame you and she`ll blame you
But later on, she may shame and blame you

Till yo` woman comes to claim you,
Until a woman claims your affection

`Cause a woman is a sometime thing,
Because women can be fickle and inconstant

Don`t you never let a woman grieve you
Don't let a woman cause you emotional pain

Just 'cause she got yo` weddin` ring.
Just because she has your wedding ring doesn't mean she won't hurt you

She`ll love you and deceive you,
She'll love you and then trick and cheat you

Take yo` clothes and leave you
Steal your possessions and abandon you

`Cause a woman is a sometime thing.
Because women can be unpredictable and unstable

Yes, a woman is a sometime thing.
Yes, women can be inconstant and inconsistent

Yes, a woman is a sometime thing,
Indeed, women are irregular and not always dependable

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOROTHY HEYWARD, DU BOSE HEYWARD, GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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