Fats began his recording career in 1922 and made a living playing rent parties, as an organist at movie theatres and as an accompanist for various vaudeville acts. In 1927 he co-wrote a couple of tunes with his old piano teacher James P. Johnson for his show "Keep Shufflin'". Two years later Waller wrote the score for the Broadway hit "Hot Chocolates" with lyrics supplied by his friend Andy Razaf. Fats' most famous song, "Ain't Misbehavin'" was introduced in this show which featured Louis Armstrong.
Fats Waller's big break occurred at a party given by George Gershwin in 1934, where he delighted the crowd with his piano playing and singing. An executive of Victor Records, who was at the party was so impressed that he arranged for Fats to record with the company. This arrangement would continue until Waller's death in 1943.
Most of the records he made were released under the name of Fats Waller and his Rhythm. The group consisted of around half a dozen musicians who worked with him regularly, including Zutty Singleton. Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s Fats was a star of radio and nightclubs, and toured Europe. He unexpectedtly died on board a train near Kansas City, Missouri of pneumonia in 1943.
Bless You
Fats Waller and His Rhythm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just when it seemed that heaven was not for me
Bless you, for building a new dream
Just when my old dream crumbled so helplessly
In that vine covered chapel on the hill
Your face was a hymn that lingered still
Heaven is mine and life is divine with you.
So bless, you my darling, my angel,
Heaven is mine and life is divine with you.
The lyrics of "Bless You" by Fats Waller and His Rhythm express gratitude towards a loved one who has rescued the singer from a place of despair and hopelessness. The opening line, "Bless you, for being an angel," suggests that the loved one has provided comfort and support at a time when the singer felt as though he was not deserving of heaven. The mention of a "new dream" being built suggests that the loved one has helped the singer to find a new sense of purpose and hope, after his old dreams had fallen apart.
The lyrics further describe a moment of profound emotional significance, in which the loved one's presence in a chapel on a hill leaves a lasting impact on the singer. The mention of the loved one's face as a "hymn that lingered still" suggests that the singer has been moved by the experience in a spiritual and profound way, and that the loved one's presence in his life is something that he is deeply grateful for.
The final lines of the song reinforce the theme of gratitude, with the singer declaring that "Heaven is mine and life is divine with you." The use of the word "divine" suggests that the singer sees his loved one as being something beyond the ordinary, and that he is deeply grateful for their presence in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Bless you, for being an angel
Thank you for being like an angel in my life
Just when it seemed that heaven was not for me
At a time when everything seemed hopeless, you appeared like a ray of hope
Bless you, for building a new dream
Thank you for helping me create a new dream after my old one fell apart
Just when my old dream crumbled so helplessly
When my old dream was shattered and I felt helpless, you were there to lift me up
In that vine covered chapel on the hill
I remember the beautiful chapel with vines covering the walls
Your face was a hymn that lingered still
Your beautiful face is like a hymn that still echoes in my mind
So bless, you my darling, my angel,
So thank you, my dear, for being like an angel to me
Heaven is mine and life is divine with you.
Because of you, my life is heavenly and divine.
Contributed by Camilla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.