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.
Summertime
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'
So hush, little baby, don't you cry
One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
Yes you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the sky
But 'til that morning, there's nothin' can harm youWith daddy and mammy standin' by
Summertime, and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'
So hush, little baby, baby don't you cry
Don't you cry
"Summertime" by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong is a classic song that has had different meanings and interpretations over the years. The song was composed by George Gershwin for the opera "Porgy and Bess" in 1935. The song's lyrics describe the peaceful life and the beauty of summertime. This song was written as an aria for the character Clara in the first act of Porgy and Bess.
The song begins by establishing the setting of summertime when everything is easy and comfortable. The fish are jumping, and cotton fields are high, and the singer is reminding the little baby not to cry because everything is alright because of the family's financial and social status. However, it is clear that the tone of the song is not simply light but carries a subtler mood of oppression, as the reality of the lives of the marginalized people in Catfish Row is alluded to.
As the song progresses, it switches from the third-person perspective to the second person in the second half, where the mother talks directly to the baby as if foretelling their future. The mother speaks about how the baby will eventually grow wings and fly high one day, and until then, nothing will harm them as their parents, are watching over them.
Overall, this song highlights the good sides of summer and the beauty of growing up under the protection of loving parents. At the same time, it hints at the challenges of living in an unequal society while having to take care of children.
Line by Line Meaning
Summertime, and the livin' is easy
It's summertime, and life is good
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
The fish are active and the cotton crops are tall
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'
Your parents are wealthy and attractive
So hush, little baby, don't you cry
Don't worry, little one
One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
One day, you will wake up and feel like singing
Yes you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the sky
You'll soar and be free
But 'til that morning, there's nothin' can harm you
Until then, you are safe
With daddy and mammy standin' by
Your parents are there for you
Summertime, and the livin' is easy
It's summertime, and life is good
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
The fish are active and the cotton crops are tall
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'
Your parents are wealthy and attractive
So hush, little baby, baby don't you cry
Don't worry, little one
Lyrics © The Administration MP, Inc., O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Word Collections Publishing, RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Spirit Music Group, Abkco Music Inc., Wixen Music Publishing, Roba Music Verlag GMBH, Too Lost LLC, TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sentric Music, CTM Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Heyward, Du Bose Heyward, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@infinityofdreams2630
Summertime and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin'
So hush little baby, don't you cry
[Verse 1]
One of these mornings
You're gonna rise up singing
Yes you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky
But 'til that morning
There ain't nothin' can harm you
With Daddy and Mammy standin' by
[Chorus]
Summertime, and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin'
So hush little baby, don't you cry
Oh don't you cry
Oh don't you cry
Don't you cry
Oh don't you cry
@SerzhNikolyan
Summertime, and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin'
So hush little baby, don't you cry
One of these mornings, you're goin' to rise up singin'
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take the sky
But 'til that mornin', there's a-nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mommy standin' by
One of these mornings, you're goin' to rise up singin'
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take the sky
But 'til that mornin', there's a-nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mommy standin' by
@1stdaughter
There is not a more perfect song sung in a more perfect way in all the world.
@johnburns1828
Three towering geniuses: Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and George Gershwin - and the orchestration couldn't be better. Takes your breath away every time.
@luisaureliofernandezgauna5153
Superlativo cantan con el Alma❤
@dafunkyshit
Sadly Gershwin died before his time. I spent a long time trying to learn how to play Rhapsody in Blue on the piano. Very challenging piece.
@shastaevangeline8952
The best version ever. The sharpness of Louis' trumpet like a blistering sun and then the velvet of Ella like a cool waterfall. I loop this masterpiece.
@davidmilfred3809
Big mama thornton on sotoplay just as good
@remali7
@@davidmilfred3809 you have to listen to summer time from elia 1968 live that is the best for me but this one is 100 out of 100 to
@bc8851
oooooooooh your daaaad is riiiiiiiiich flowiiiing
@DanielSandoval-x6d
Wow! Mesmerizing!
So good.
@roseforehand3396
And it is wonderful because it draws out the heat and humidity out on a Riverboat this is the best version I agree I have had Alexa play several we locked on this one as the one from my younger memories. My old memory couldn't remember from whence this version that came. It sure can put you in the mood for a beautiful sunset after a horrendously hot and humid day.