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.

Woman Is a Sometime Thing
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(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 "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing" by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong highlights the complex nature of romantic relationships, particularly between men and women. The song is essentially a warning to men about the capriciousness of women and how they are not to be trusted completely. The lyrics suggest that while women may love and care for men, they can also abandon them, deceive them or take advantage of them. The idea of a "sometime thing" implies that women cannot be relied on consistently, and men need to be cautious in their dealings with them.

The first verse of the song warns men of the fickleness of women and advises them to be careful before embarking on any romantic endeavors. Women may be loving and devoted at one moment, but they can easily turn on you and leave you in the next. The second verse talks about the role of a mother in a man's life and how she can shape his perception of women. The lyrics suggest that women can be controlling and manipulative, and a man must be careful not to fall into their trap. The final verse cautions men not to expect too much from their wives or partners and to be prepared for disappointment.

Overall, the song is a stark reminder of the challenges men face in relationships with women. The lyrics paint a picture of women as unpredictable and unreliable, leaving men with a sense of unease and caution in their dealings with the opposite sex.

Line by Line Meaning

Lissen to yo` daddy warn you,
Listen to what your father says and take heed of his warning.

`Fore you start a-travelling,
Before you begin your journey or adventure.

Woman may born you, love you and mourn you,
A woman may give birth to you, love you and grieve when you're gone.

But a woman is a sometime thing,
However, a woman's love can be fickle and inconsistent.

Yes, a woman is a sometime thing.
Repeated for emphasis, a woman's love can be fleeting.

Yo` mammy is the first to name you,
Your mother is the first to give you a name.

Then she`ll tie you to her apron string,
Then she'll keep you close and under her watchful eye.

Then she`ll shame you and she`ll blame you
If you step out of line, she will scold and criticize you.

Till yo` woman comes to claim you,
Until you find a woman to take you away from your mother's care.

`Cause a woman is a sometime thing,
Because a woman's love can be fragile and unpredictable.

Yes, a woman is a sometime thing.
Repeated for emphasis, a woman's love can be fleeting.

Don`t you never let a woman grieve you
Don't let a woman cause you pain or sorrow.

Just 'cause she got yo` weddin` ring.
Simply because she has your wedding ring.

She`ll love you and deceive you,
She may love you, but also deceive and betray you.

Take yo` clothes and leave you
She may even take your possessions and abandon you.

`Cause a woman is a sometime thing.
Because a woman's love can be fragile and unpredictable.

Yes, a woman is a sometime thing.
Repeated for emphasis, a woman's love can be fleeting.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOROTHY HEYWARD, DU BOSE HEYWARD, GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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