She is noted for her elegant interpretations of standards, ballads, and blues. Her characteristic inflections have sometimes prompted comparisons to stylistic devices employed by Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Jones' recordings, particularly her debut record (Don't Go To Strangers, 1960), have earned wide admiration in a new generation of listeners.
She had three Grammy nominations, for the Don't Go to Strangers LP in 1960, Save Your Love for Me in 1981, and My Buddy in 1999.
Jones had a musical partnership of more than thirty years with tenor sax player Houston Person, who received equal billing with her. He also produced her albums and served as her manager.
Jones was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and raised in Harlem. She died at the age of 72 from cancer. She was survived by her husband, John Medlock, and a granddaughter.
Hi-Lili Hi-Lo
Etta Jones Lyrics
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On every tree there sits a bird, and ev'ryone I ever heard
Could break my heart without a word singing a song of love
A song of love is a sad song, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
A song of love is a song of woe, don't ask me how I know
A song of love is a sad song, for I have loved and it's so
I sit at the window and watch the rain, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
A tear for him, a tear for me, A tear for the love he swore
A tear for him and one for me, and one for under the cedar tree
And one for where ever my love my be, and then I shall weep no more
A song of love is a sad song, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
A song of love is a song of woe, don't ask me how I know
A song of love is a sad song, for I have loved and it's so
I sit at the window and watch the rain, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Tomorrow i'll probably love again, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
The lyrics of Etta Jones's "Hi-Lili Hi-Lo" explore the deep sadness and anguish of love. The imagery of the bird singing a song of love from every tree represents the ubiquity of love and the pain that it can bring. The singer's heart can be broken without a single word, which speaks to the power of love and the pain it can inflict. The song of love is described as a sad song, and the repetition of the phrase "Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo" emphasizes the melancholy tone of the song.
The singer watches the rain and reflects on the tears that have been shed for her past love, as well as the tears shed for his love for her. The tears represent the pain and heartbreak that the singer has experienced in the past. The repetition of the phrase "And one for where ever my love may be" indicates that the singer is still holding out hope for another chance at love. The final line, "Tomorrow I'll probably love again," suggests that the pain of love is not enough to deter the singer from continuing to search for it.
Overall, "Hi-Lili Hi-Lo" is a poignant exploration of the pain, sadness, and hope that are all part of the journey of love.
Line by Line Meaning
On every tree there sits a bird, singing a song of love
Love can be found everywhere, symbolized by birds singing their sweet melodies
A song of love is a sad song, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Love can bring heartbreak, as represented by the melancholic song 'Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo'
Don't ask me how I know
The pain of love is something that can only be truly understood through personal experience
I sit at the window and watch the rain, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Heartbreak can feel like being stuck in a dreary moment, represented by the rain
Tomorrow I'll probably love again, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Despite the pain of heartbreak, the hope and possibility of finding love again remains
A tear for him, a tear for me, A tear for the love he swore
Heartbreak affects both parties, with tears shed for what could have been and the promises made
And one for under the cedar tree, and one for where ever my love my be, and then I shall weep no more
Grieving for the past and the uncertainty of the future eventually subsides, and the tears will eventually stop
Lyrics © ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT LP
Written by: BRONISLAW KAPER, HELEN DEUTSCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind