That Lucky Old Sun
Emile Ford & The Checkmates 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

"That Lucky Old Sun" by Emile Ford & The Checkmates is a song that tells the story of a working-class man who toils all day to make ends meet for his family. The song begins with the man getting up early in the morning to go to work and work "like the devil" for his pay. He then compares his hard work to the lucky old sun, which has no responsibilities and spends the day rolling around heaven. The man goes on to talk about his struggles in life, including the difficulties he faces with his partner and the pressures of raising his children. Despite this, he dreams of a better life and asks God to lift him to paradise and take him across the river to wash away his troubles, just like that lucky old sun, which has nothing to do but roll around heaven all day.


The lyrics of this song portray the vivid contrast between the man's mundane life and the ease of the sun, which rolls around heaven with no worries. The song is essentially a lamentation about the struggles of the working-class man and the desire to escape from them, even if it is just for a moment. The plea to God to take away the man's troubles shows a desire for redemption and salvation, a common theme in blues and gospel music. The song has a slow tempo and a mournful tone and is sung with a great deal of emotion and soul, making it a classic example of blues music.


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 hard labor just to earn my living


But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
The sun, which has no worries or responsibilities, simply rolls around in the sky all day


Fuss with my woman toil for my kids Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
I put in effort to take care of my family, working hard until I am exhausted and aged


While that lucky old sun has nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
Once again, the sun has nothing to do but enjoy its carefree existence


Good Lawd above, can't you know I'm pinin' Tears all in my eyes
Dear Lord, can't you see I am suffering? I am so sad that I am crying


Send down that cloud with a silver linin' Lift me to paradise
Please send a sign of hope and lift me out of this difficult situation


Show me that river Take me across and wash all my troubles away
Guide me to a peaceful place where I can forget my worries and find comfort


Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
Let me have a carefree life like the sun, with nothing to do but enjoy my surroundings




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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Comments from YouTube:

winemeister

I can't believe there are no comments yet on Emile. I had this single, way back in the early 60s, one of the first songs I learnt on guitar too, despite being a drummer. I loved his voice, I loved most of his music, his deep rich voice reflecting his birthplace. I would question whether this is R & B, and certainly see it as Island music of the Caribbean. But that's not too important, what matters most is his amazing voice and clarity of his singing. Indeed I've been to his birthplace, and never even realised we lived in the same area in London during those 50s and 60s when he was performing. Putney, Fulham, Kensington, Chelsea. And I went as far afield as North London too sometimes to play . . . big traveller! Thanks for posting this fabulous version of the song, I really must try and find that album now.

Vintage Vinyl Via Valves

Pity he only mostly done Pop stuff, this is the best one we've heard of his.

David Townsend

I discovered his music around 1981. Lots of good songs by the group. Even though they were lighthearted songs.

Horatio Nelson

All those years ago, I bought Emile Ford's "What do you want to make those eyes at me for?" "That lucky old sun" was the flip side. Indeed a wonderful performance, both sides. Over the years I've often wondered why he didn't continue. Why he so abruptly 'disappeared'. Here was a veritable talent. He produced an enormous discography and was sound-technically very capable. A talent that we'd have been hearing live to this very day 2023 - had he lived. I've just read that he passed away in 2016. RIP Emile Ford.

David Townsend

My dad liked this song.

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