That lucky old sun'
Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra/Louis Armstrong Lyrics
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But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Fuss with my woman toil for my kids
Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
While that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Tears all in my eyes
Send down that cloud with a silver linin'
Lift me to paradise
Show me that river
Take me across and wash all my troubles away
Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Up in the mornin' out on the job,
Work like the devil for my pay
But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Fuss with my woman toil for my kids
Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
While that lucky old sun has nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
Good Lawd above, can't you know I'm pinin'
Tears all in my eyes
Send down that cloud with a silver linin'
Lift me to paradise
Show me that river
Take me across and wash all my troubles away
Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do
But roll around heaven all day
The lyrics of Louis Armstrong's "That Lucky Old Sun" depict the lament of a hard-working and tired individual who is struggling to make ends meet. The singer begins by describing the daily grind of their job, where they work tirelessly for their pay. However, they can't help but feel envious of the sun that "has nothin' to do but roll around heaven all day." The sun is used as a metaphor for a carefree and unburdened existence that the singer wishes they could have.
The singer then goes on to describe the other areas of their life where they toil and struggle, including dealing with their significant other and raising their children. Comparatively, the sun seems to have an easy existence where it doesn't have any responsibilities or worries. The singer's frustrations come to a peak in the chorus when they ask the "Good Lawd above" to "send down that cloud with a silver linin'" and "take me across and wash all my troubles away" like the "lucky old sun."
Line by Line Meaning
Up in the mornin' out on the job, work like the devil for my pay
I wake up in the morning and go to work, where I labor hard all day in order to earn my wages.
But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
The sun has nothing to do but to leisurely roll around in the sky all day. It doesn't have to work like I do.
Fuss with my woman toil for my kids Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
I work hard not just for myself, but also for my family. I worry about my wife and children and am left exhausted at the end of the day.
Good Lawd above, can't you know I'm pinin' Tears all in my eyes
Dear God, can't you see that I am suffering? I feel so sad that I can't help but cry.
Send down that cloud with a silver linin' Lift me to paradise
I wish that a cloud with a silver lining would come down from the sky and take me away to a place of paradise, where I don't have to worry about my troubles anymore.
Show me that river Take me across and wash all my troubles away
I long to see a river that will wash all my problems away, and take me to a place where I can be at peace.
Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
I wish that I could be like the sun and have nothing to do but to leisurely roll around in the sky all day, without having to worry about the struggles of everyday life.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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@ellenkathleenfyfe5209
Precious memory of this song, when I was growing up. A favourite of my Mum & Dad's. Thank you! :)