Ethel Agnes Zimmerman was born in the third floor bedroom of her grandmother's house at 359 4th Avenue in Astoria, Queens. Growing up near Famous Players-Lasky's Astoria Studios, young Ethel often watched the silent movie stars drive by in their massive cars, and she dreamed of joining their ranks one day. Her powerful voice won attention when her family worshipped at Holy Redeemer Episcopal Church, and she began making local concert appearances. She also frequently attended vaudeville performances at The Palace Theater in Manhattan, watching great stars like Fanny Brice and Sophie Tucker.
Ethel's parents Edward (an accountant) and Agnes (a school teacher) understood Ethel's love of singing, but they did not see show business as a reliable career choice for a woman. They insisted that she get a solid education with thorough training in secretarial skills, so she would have something to fall back on if her dreams of stardom didn't pan out. After Ethel graduating William Cullen Bryant High School, she earned a respectable $28 a week as a stenographer for the owner of a local factory. She picked up extra money by singing at private parties and in night clubs. Ethel was so efficient that her indulgent boss (who only came in two days a week) overlooked her taking nap breaks at the office after late night performances. When Ethel's gigs multiplied, her parents accepted the inevitable and allowed her to give up the day job and sing full-time.
Autumn Leaves
Ethel Merman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
C'est une chanson, qui nous ressemble
Toi tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
Nous vivions tous deux ensemble
Toi qui m'aimais moi qui t'aimais
Mais la vie separe ceux qui s'aiment
Tout doucement sans faire de bruit
Et la mer efface sur le sable les pas des amants desunis
In the first verse, the singer reflects on the changing of seasons and the passing of time. The falling leaves outside the window represent the arrival of autumn, with their vibrant colors of red and gold. The mention of "summer kisses" and "sun-burned hands" symbolizes a past love or relationship that is now gone. The singer remembers the warmth and intimacy of those moments and longs for their presence again.
As the days grow longer since the person they cared for has gone away, the singer anticipates the arrival of winter and its melancholic song. But it is during this time, when the autumn leaves start to fall, that the longing for the lost love becomes most intense. The changing seasons serve as a metaphorical reflection of the singer's emotional state, highlighting the passing of time and the absence of their beloved.
In the second verse, the lyrics shift to French, adding another layer of emotional depth. The phrase "C'est une chanson, qui nous ressemble" translates to "It's a song that resembles us." This suggests that the song serves as a representation of their relationship, capturing the essence of their love. The lyrics continue to describe the mutual love they shared and the life they lived together.
However, the realities of life and the passage of time eventually separate those who love each other. The lyrics describe this separation as something that happens slowly and silently, without making any noise. The mention of the sea erasing footprints on the sand signifies the fading away of the lovers' traces or memories. It symbolizes how time and distance can wash away the signs of a once-intimate connection, leaving only a distant longing.
Overall, Ethel Merman's "Autumn Leaves" expresses a deep sense of longing and nostalgia for a lost love. The changing seasons, as well as the lyrics in both English and French, emphasize the passage of time and the bittersweet nature of love. The song captures the singer's heartache, as they long for a love that was once vibrant but has now faded away.
Line by Line Meaning
The falling leaves drift by the window
As the leaves gracefully descend, they move aimlessly past the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
The leaves of autumn display vibrant hues of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
I visualize your lips, the affectionate kisses we shared during the summer
The sun-burned hands I used to hold
The hands that were once bronzed by the sun, hands that were once mine to cherish
Since you went away the days grow long
Ever since you departed, the passing days seem endless
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
In no time, I will be greeted by the melancholic tune of winter
But I miss you most of all my darling
Above all else, my beloved, I yearn for your presence
When autumn leaves start to fall
Especially when autumn leaves begin their descent
C'est une chanson, qui nous ressemble
It is a song that resembles us
Toi tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
You loved me, and I loved you
Nous vivions tous deux ensemble
We lived together as a pair
Toi qui m'aimais moi qui t'aimais
You, who loved me, and I, who loved you
Mais la vie separe ceux qui s'aiment
Yet life separates those who love each other
Tout doucement sans faire de bruit
Slowly and silently
Et la mer efface sur le sable les pas des amants desunis
And the sea erases on the sand the footprints of parted lovers
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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