Gleason could not read or write music in a conventional sense; he was said to have conceived melodies in his head and described them vocally to staff help. He did likewise with the well-remembered themes of both The Jackie Gleason Show ("Melancholy Serenade") and The Honeymooners ("You're My Greatest Love"). There has been some controversy over the years as to how much credit Gleason should have received for the finished products; it has been written that beyond the possible conceptualizing of many of the songs, Gleason had no direct involvement such as conducting in the making of these recordings. However, his main musical companion, cornetist and trumpeter Bobby Hackett once said: "Jackie knows a lot more about music than people give him credit for. I have seen him conduct a sixty-piece orchestra and detect one discordant note in the brass section. He would immediately stop the music and locate the wrong note. It always amazed the professional musicians how a guy who technically did not know one note from another could do that. And he was never wrong."
Born February 26, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He died on June 24, 1987
Lullaby of the Leaves
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
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In the sunny South when I was a tot so high
And now that I have grown
And myself alone
Cradle me where Southern skies
Can watch me with a million eyes
Sing me to sleep
Cover me with heaven's blue
And let me dream a dream or two
Sing me to sleep
Lullaby of the leaves
I'm breezing along, along with the breeze
I'm hearing a song, a song through the trees
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
That fine melody caressing the shore
Familiar to me, I've heard it before
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, that's Southland
Don't I feel it in my soul
And don't I know I've reached my goal
Sing me to sleep
Lullaby of the Leaves
The lyrics of Jackie Gleason's song, Lullaby of the Leaves, reminisce about the singer's childhood in the South where the rustling of leaves used to be his lullaby. The song is divided into two parts with the first part describing the singer's fond memories of his childhood and the second part describing his current state of mind as an adult. Despite being grown up and alone, he desires to go back to the South where he can be cradled by the Southern skies and the rustling of leaves can still be his lullaby.
The lyrics also convey a sense of longing for familiar songs and melodies which evokes a deep sense of nostalgia in the singer. He hears a song through the trees and recognizes the fine melody that caresses the shore. He identifies it as Southland, and it touches his soul bringing back memories of his childhood. He knows that he has reached his goal of returning to the South and wishes to be sung to sleep by the lullaby of the leaves.
Line by Line Meaning
Rustling of the leaves used to be my lullaby
When I was a child in the South, the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind was what put me to sleep.
In the sunny South when I was a tot so high
As a young child in the Southern United States, I would fall asleep to the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves.
And now that I have grown
Now that I am an adult, I can look back on those simpler times with nostalgia.
And myself alone
Although I am grown up now, I am still comforted by memories of the past.
Cradle me where Southern skies
I long to be back in the Southern United States, where I can experience the familiar surroundings of my childhood.
Can watch me with a million eyes
I feel comforted knowing that the vast sky above me is always watching, as if looking out for me.
Sing me to sleep
I want to be soothed to sleep by the same sounds and comforts of my childhood.
Lullaby of the leaves
The rustling of leaves still has a lulling effect on me and is a powerful source of comfort.
Cover me with heaven's blue
I wish to be surrounded by the blue sky that I remember from my childhood - a color that feels like a gentle embrace.
And let me dream a dream or two
As I fall asleep, I hope to dream of the things that made me happy as a child; a time of innocence and wonder.
I'm breezing along, along with the breeze
I feel carefree and content as I let nature guide me along with the wind.
I'm hearing a song, a song through the trees
The rustling of leaves and the sound of the wind remind me of the beautiful rhythm of nature, and I feel at peace.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
The sound of nature fills the air and I lose myself in its beauty.
That fine melody caressing the shore
The sound of wind rustling through the leaves feels as gentle and comforting as a warm embrace.
Familiar to me, I've heard it before
Even though I am no longer a child, the sound of the wind in the trees takes me back to happy memories from my past.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, that's Southland
This is the unique and beautiful rhythm of the Southern United States that I grew up with and find so comforting.
Don't I feel it in my soul
My love for the Southern United States and the memories I have from there is deeply rooted in my soul.
And don't I know I've reached my goal
Being comforted by this familiar sound and feeling at peace is all I need to feel fulfilled.
Sing me to sleep
As I drift off into slumber, I want to feel the same sense of peace and comfort that I experienced in my childhood.
Lullaby of the Leaves
The soothing sound of the wind in the trees is my ultimate lullaby, bringing me the peace and comfort I crave.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernice Petkere, Joseph Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind