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.
September Song
Ethel Merman Lyrics
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I played me a waiting game
If a maid refused me with tossing curls
I'd let the old Earth make a couple of whirls
While I plied her with tears in lieu of pearls
And as time came around she came my way
As time came around, she came
But the days grow short when you reach September
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
And you ain't got time for waiting game
When days dwindle down to a precious few
September November,
And these few golden days I'd share with you
Those golden days I share with you
When you meet with the young girls early in the Spring
You court them in song and rhyme
They answer with words and a clover ring
But if you could examine the goods they bring
They have little to offer but the songs they sing
And the plentiful waste of time of day
A plentiful waste of time
Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December
But the days grow short when you reach September
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
One hasn't got time for the waiting game
Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few
September, November
And these few precious days I'll spend with you
These precious days I'll spend with you
The lyrics of "September Song" by Ethel Merman tell a story of love and the passage of time. The singer reflects on their younger days when they would court and pursue women. They would play a waiting game, patiently hoping for the attention and affection of the maidens they desired. If rejected, they would let time pass, shedding tears in place of giving lavish gifts. However, eventually, as time went by, the person they pursued came their way, indicating that their persistence paid off.
The song emphasizes the passage of time and how it affects relationships. The line "Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December" suggests that the time between the initial courtship and the realization of a meaningful relationship can be significant. The days may seem long at the beginning, but as one reaches September, the days grow shorter, symbolizing a decreasing window of opportunity or limited time left for love and companionship.
The mention of the autumn weather turning the leaves to flame creates a metaphorical image of the fleeting nature of time and the urgency to seize the opportunities at hand. The singer expresses frustration with playing a waiting game because, as the days dwindle down to a precious few in September and November, there isn't much time left for waiting or wasting time.
In the final verse, the singer contrasts their experiences with young girls in the springtime. They court them with songs and poetry, but upon closer examination, the goods they bring, symbolizing the substance of their relationships, are lacking. There is a sense of disappointment in realizing that these interactions are a "plentiful waste of time." This contrast serves to highlight the value of the love and companionship they have found in the present moment, the few precious days they plan to spend with their current partner.
Overall, "September Song" by Ethel Merman delves into themes of patience, the passage of time, and cherishing the time we have with loved ones. It serves as a reminder to seize the opportunities for love and companionship before time runs out.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a young man courting the girls
Back in my youth, when I pursued the affection of young women
I played me a waiting game
I engaged in a strategy of patience and perseverance
If a maid refused me with tossing curls
If a young lady rejected my advances with a haughty attitude
I'd let the old Earth make a couple of whirls
I would allow time to pass and the world to rotate
While I plied her with tears in lieu of pearls
Meanwhile, I tried to win her over with heartfelt emotions rather than material possessions
And as time came around she came my way
Eventually, as time progressed, she reciprocated my affection
As time came around, she came
As time passed, she finally embraced our love
Oh, it's a long long while from May to December
Oh, there is a significant amount of time between the youthful spring and the mature winter
But the days grow short when you reach September
However, the remaining days become limited and fleeting as September arrives
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
During the autumn season, when the weather transforms foliage into fiery colors
And you ain't got time for waiting game
And you no longer have the luxury of playing the waiting game
When days dwindle down to a precious few
When the days diminish to a scarce number
September November
Referring to the timeframe of late September to early November
And these few golden days I'd share with you
And during these limited days, I would treasure sharing them with you
Those golden days I share with you
Those cherished days I spend together with you
When you meet with the young girls early in the Spring
When you encounter young women in the beginning of Spring
You court them in song and rhyme
You woo them with poetic words and melodic tunes
They answer with words and a clover ring
They respond with words of affection and perhaps a small token of luck like a clover ring
But if you could examine the goods they bring
However, if you were to scrutinize the offerings they present
They have little to offer but the songs they sing
You would find that they possess minimal material possessions, mainly relying on the songs they sing
And the plentiful waste of time of day
And an abundant expenditure of time throughout the day
A plentiful waste of time
A plentiful waste of valuable time
Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December
Oh, there is a significant amount of time between the youthful spring and the mature winter
But the days grow short when you reach September
However, the remaining days become limited and fleeting as September arrives
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
During the autumn season, when the weather transforms foliage into fiery colors
One hasn't got time for the waiting game
One no longer has time to engage in the act of waiting
Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few
Oh, the days gradually decrease and become scarce
September, November
Referring to the timeframe of late September to early November
And these few precious days I'll spend with you
And during these limited and cherished days, I will devote my time to being with you
These precious days I'll spend with you
These valuable days I will share exclusively with you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kurt Weill, Maxwell Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind