That's All
Haymes 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 song "That's All" by Harlan Howard and Lewis "Lucky" Millinder, which was popularized by Frankie Laine and then by Billy Eckstine, has been covered by a number of other artists including Dean Martin, Ray Charles, and Louis Armstrong. The song is a lament about the difficulties of everyday life and the desire for a simpler, carefree existence. The verses describe the daily grind of work and family responsibilities, contrasted with the idle freedom of the "lucky old sun" that has "nothing to do but roll around heaven all day."
The chorus expresses a longing for relief from the burdens of life on earth, with the repetition of the plea to the "Good Lord above" to "send down that cloud with a silver lining" and "lift me to paradise." The reference to the river echoes the Biblical image of the River Jordan as a symbol of deliverance and salvation, and the desire to have all troubles washed away is a common theme in African American spirituals.
Line by Line Meaning
Up in the mornin' out on the job, work like the devil for my pay
I wake up early in the morning and work hard every day to earn my living
But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
While I work hard all day, the sun has nothing to do but roll around effortlessly in the sky
Fuss with my woman toil for my kids Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
I put in a lot of effort to take care of my family and provide for them, which takes a toll on my physical appearance
Good Lawd above, can't you know I'm pinin' Tears all in my eyes
Oh Lord, can't you see how much I am suffering? I am so sad that tears are streaming down my face
Send down that cloud with a silver linin' Lift me to paradise
I am asking for a blessing in disguise that will change my situation for the better, and take me away to a paradise-like place
Show me that river Take me across and wash all my troubles away
I desire to see a river that will wash away all my troubles, and bring me to a better place in life
Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
I wish for a time when I can relax and have nothing to worry about, just like how the lucky sun has nothing to do but roll around easily in the sky
Up in the mornin' out on the job, Work like the devil for my pay
I reiterate that I wake up early and work hard every day for my livelihood
But that lucky old sun has nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
Again, contrasting my hard work with the effortless movement of the sun
Fuss with my woman toil for my kids Sweat 'til I'm wrinkled and gray
Repeating that I put in a lot of effort to provide for my family and how it ages me prematurely
While that lucky old sun has nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
Repeating the contrast between my struggles and the easy life of the sun
Good Lawd above, can't you know I'm pinin' Tears all in my eyes
Restating my plea to the Lord, and my deep sadness
Send down that cloud with a silver linin' Lift me to paradise
Again, asking for a blessing in disguise to take me to a better place in life
Show me that river Take me across and wash all my troubles away
Repeating my desire for a river to wash away my troubles and take me to a better place
Like that lucky old sun, give me nothin' to do But roll around heaven all day
Ending the song on the same note, wishing for a carefree life like the sun in the sky
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Beasley Smith, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
K Lee
Here is an example of a composer singing his own song, of which I've never heard a song writer sing so well.
authorworld
What a lovely voice and a wonderful talent. I'm surprised he isn't more remembered.
LIA
When I first heard his deep voice spill through the speakers I was hit with a nostalgia that wasn't first hand...but it still hit me hard...I tear up every time I hear this now. Just wow, good times<3
James Carson
Forgive me for asking, but were you around at the time? Judging from your picture you look so much younger.
LIA
@James Carson what? nostalgia that is not first hand more like second because no I did not yet exist in 1953, but I can still feel the nostalgia.
Marlene Amry
He and his elder brother, Dick Haymes, had the deep voices that are not heard of these days, but then songs of today are hardly comparable to those of the romantic yesteryears.
juilliardpark
A wonderful song and a wonderful singer.
sandaglad
What a voice!...and very different from his brother Dick Haymes.
Bob Haymes (aka Robert Stanton) deserves to be remembered. Some of his best movie singing was in "Abbott and Costello in Hollywood" (1945).
Thanks for posting.
Lee Larson
I'd never heard of him before this, and had to look him upon the Internet, He's singing with MY VOICE! He's singing like I speak, and I've been told since High School that I have a 'distinctive' voice. I'll have to find more of his recordings. He passed away in 1989.
Clive Fuller-Hale
Lovely vocal...thanks for posting...