During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Miller managed to earn a living working as a freelance trombonist in several bands. His first band was formed in 1937 but failed to distinguish itself and eventually broke up.
Following the break-up of his first band, Miller realized that he needed to develop a unique sound, and decided to make the clarinet play a melodic line with a tenor saxophone on the same note, while three other saxophones harmonized. With this sound combination, the Miller band that became the most popular was born in 1938. After a shaky start, it made his new band a nationwide hit.
In 1942, Miller joined the United States Army Air Forces where he continued his musical career with the Army Air Force Band.
On December 15, 1944, Miller was to fly from the United Kingdom to Paris, France, to play for the soldiers who had recently liberated Paris. His plane departed from RAF Twinwood Farm in Clapham, Bedfordshire and disappeared while flying over the English Channel. No trace of the aircrew, passengers or plane has ever been found. Miller's status is missing in action.
His music is still iconic of the time period in which he lived and continues to draw thousands of fans of all age groups.
Glenn Miller was a popular visitor to Bedford and its American Air force bases. He is still remembered to this day by the people of Bedford with a bronze bust displayed on the front of the towns Corn Exchange, and more recently, what remains of the Twinwoods Airfield being renovated as a Glenn Miller Museum and outdoor event site
2) Glenn Miller was a Jamaican reggae and soul artist of the 1960's.
Along with other legendary artists such as Bob Marley & the Wailers and Desmond Dekker he recorded for the Trojan record label.
Poinciana
Glenn Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pale moon is casting shadows from above
Poinciana, somehow, I feel the jungle heat
Within me, there grows a rhythmic, savage beat
Love is everywhere, it's magic perfume fills the air
To and fro you sway, my heart's in time, I've learned to care
(I've learned to care)
Poinciana, from now until the dawning day
I've learned to love, forever, come what may
Blow tropic wind, sing a song through the tree
Tree sigh to me, soon my love, I will see
Tropic wind, sing a song through the tree
Tree sigh to me, soon my love, Poinciana
Glenn Miller's "Poinciana" is a romantic ballad that paints a vivid picture of the natural beauty of the poinciana tree and the passionate emotions of love it inspires in the singer. The song begins with the singer addressing the poinciana tree and attributing to it a voice capable of speaking and expressing love. The pale moon casting shadows from above adds to the romantic and magical atmosphere. The tree's leaves swaying in the wind create a rhythmic beat in the singer's heart. The song connects love magically to nature, representing it as a perfume that fills the air.
The lyrics create a mood of passionate longing as the singer's heart beats with a savage rhythm of love that he can't escape. The lines "To and fro you sway, my heart's in time, I've learned to care" emphasize the influence of the poinciana tree on the singer's emotions. The lyrics communicate that love is everywhere, and it is the magical perfume that fills the air, connecting the natural world to the emotional world. In the final lines of the song, the singer imagines himself in a tropical location where his love waits for him.
In conclusion, "Poinciana" is a beautiful representation of how love and nature can come together to inspire passionate emotions. The poinciana tree becomes a symbol of this connection and the music creates an atmosphere of tropical romance. The song's melody is soothing and takes the listener on a journey of passion and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Poinciana, your branches speak to me of love
The branches of the Poinciana tree symbolize the love that surrounds everything.
Pale moon is casting shadows from above
The moon's light is shining down and casting shadows on the earth below.
Poinciana, somehow, I feel the jungle heat
Being around the Poinciana tree makes me feel the heat and passion of the jungle.
Within me, there grows a rhythmic, savage beat
My heart is beating with a wild, untamed rhythm that matches the passionate beat of the jungle.
Love is everywhere, it's magic perfume fills the air
Love is present all around us, and it fills the air with its intoxicating fragrance.
To and fro you sway, my heart's in time, I've learned to care
As the Poinciana tree sways back and forth, my heart beats in rhythm with it, and I have learned to care more deeply about love.
(I've learned to care)
I have come to value and cherish love more deeply than ever before.
Poinciana, from now until the dawning day
From this moment forward, until the sun rises on a new day…
I've learned to love, forever, come what may
I have learned to love deeply and commit to it no matter what happens.
Blow tropic wind, sing a song through the tree
Let the winds of the tropics blow and sing a song through the leaves of the Poinciana tree.
Tree sigh to me, soon my love, I will see
The Poinciana tree seems to whisper to me that I will soon be reunited with my love.
Tropic wind, sing a song through the tree
Again, the song asks the tropical winds to sing through the leaves of the Poinciana tree.
Tree sigh to me, soon my love, Poinciana
Once more, the song expresses a longing to be near the Poinciana tree and reunite with the singer's love.
Contributed by Eliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.