The September Of My Years
Frank Sinatra Lyrics


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One day you turn around and it's summer
Next day you turn around and it's fall
And all the winters and the springs of a lifetime
Whatever happened to them all?

As a man who has always had the wandering ways
I keep looking back to yesterdays
'Til a long-forgotten love appears
And I find that I'm sighing softly as I near
September, the warm September of my years

As a man who has never paused at wishing wells
Now I'm watching children's carousels
And their laughter's music to my ears
And I find that I'm smiling gently as I near
September, the warm September of my years





The golden warm September of my years

Overall Meaning

The September of My Years by Frank Sinatra is a song that grapples with the nature of time and the inevitability of aging. In the opening lines "One day you turn around and it's summer, Next day you turn around and it's fall," we see the importance of cherished moments that can seem fleeting in the grand scheme of time. Sinatra ponders the question of where all the seasons of our lives go over time, and how it is easy to lose track of them. But this song is also about the discovery of what has been lost, as he reminisces about a long-forgotten love and the joys of childhood, symbolized in the music of children's carousels. The singer finds a sense of comfort and solace in the gentle memories of his past, suiting the melancholic mood of nostalgia.


The lyrics of The September of My Years can be interpreted as a poetic reflection upon the passing of time and the realities of growing old. The song stresses how time keeps moving forward, without any regard for the memories that we hold onto, and that there is no way to stop it. It is a bittersweet look back on life, acknowledging the good and the bad, with the understanding that all of it is now in the past. Sinatra's mature voice captures the essence of the weariness and wistfulness that come with old age, and the sense of grateful acceptance that it is all part of the natural order of things.


Line by Line Meaning

One day you turn around and it's summer
Time flies so fast and before you know it, the season has changed.


Next day you turn around and it's fall
The pace of life is such that one season quickly turns into another without us realizing time is moving.


And all the winters and the springs of a lifetime
All the years that have gone by in one's life make him/her wonder where they have disappeared.


Whatever happened to them all?
Reflecting back on life, one realizes how quickly time has passed and how much has changed.


As a man who has always had the wandering ways
The artist characterizes himself as someone who has always been restless and adventurous.


I keep looking back to yesterdays
Despite his adventurous spirit, he finds himself constantly turning to the past and reflecting on memories.


Til a long-forgotten love appears
Memories of a past romantic relationship resurface as he reflects on his life.


And I find that I'm sighing softly as I near
The memories evoke a gentle, nostalgic feeling as he approaches a new season of life.


September, the warm September of my years
The arrival of September is symbolic of entering a new phase of life, reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future.


As a man who has never paused at wishing wells
The artist characterizes himself as someone who has lived without wishing for anything, always on the move.


Now I'm watching children's carousels
He now takes pleasure in simpler things and finds joy in watching the innocent exuberance of children.


And their laughter's music to my ears
The pure, unbridled laughter of children brings him happiness.


And I find that I'm smiling gently as I near
The innocence of children and the pleasant memories of his past cause him to approach the future with optimism and contentment.


The golden warm September of my years
The upcoming season of his life is one of beauty and warmth, offering a chance for reflection and appreciation of simpler pleasures.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

阿風聊生活

One day you turn around and it's summer
Next day you turn around and it's fall
And the springs and the winters of a lifetime
Whatever happened to them all?

As a man who has always had the wand'ring ways
Now I'm reaching back for yesterdays
'Til a long-forgotten love appears
And I find that I'm sighing softly as I near
September, the warm September of my years

As I man who has never paused at wishing wells
Now I'm watching children's carousels
And their laughter's music to my ears
And I find that I'm smiling gently as I near
September, the warm September of my years

The golden warm September of my years



Jan Chyba

Pokaždé, když slyším pana Sinatru zpívat "Till a long forgotten love
appears", představuji si, že když tuto píseň nahrával, myslel u téhle
věty na svou první ženu Nancy...

TRANSLATION:
Every time I
hear Mr. Sinatra singing "Till a long forgotten love appears", I like to
imagine that he recorded this song with his first wife Nancy on his
mind...



All comments from YouTube:

Nicky DePaola Entertainer

I am now 56 and this song as well as many other " emotional " classic SINATRA did , stayed with me since I first heard it as a boy of 4 in 1967, my mother LOVED " Francis Albert ".....this is one of Frank's All~Time Top 10 for me !! The strings, it's all about ....how time goes by so fast !! Thank you Frank Sinatra for touching my life too !

Tom bauder

I'm 71 now and still love Sinatra. In Phila. we had "Friday with Frank, and Sunday with Sinatra" hosted by Sid Mark. We were very lucky here

Nick Taylor

I used to play this album endlessly on my radio show when it first came out in South Africa .. I was 21 years old and loved this track and "A very good year" so much people must have thought I was crazy. At age 75 I still think it's the best album he ever made, yet I read that he was not very happy about the way it sold. Well it wasn't for lack of trying on my part.

Robert Conti Jazz Guitar

Nick, I agree. Two other Sinatra favorites: A Man Alone & Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back

Strother Martin

@Robert Conti Jazz Guitar In my opinion the best album he ever made.

Nano Second

@Strother Martin I agree and am also a fan of the same year's "Moonlight Sinatra".

Tony Regusters

My absolute favorite after his beautiful album with Antonio Carlos Jobim. Both got played til the albums turned from black to gray! LOL!!! 😘🎼🎶😂

NYCBG

I wish I could have been there... Cape Town...

2 More Replies...

Joanna DG

An allegorical song that punctuates Frank Sinatra's life and career. Many of his works were autobiographical. The one and only Frank Sinatra, what a privilege to have lived during his century! 

Nymousano001

Along with A Man Alone one of the most beautiful songs ever by Sinatra. And in general.

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