John Mayall is often referred to as the "Father of the British blues." His well-known band is still called John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. They started out in the late 1950s in England, using Chicago style blues as a starting basis for their sound, which has evolved from album to album. And while at one point John Mayall was playing a fairly jazzy sound, he has always come back to the blues.
One of the interesting features of the Bluesbreakers is that members have changed on a very regular basis, and many have gone on to well deserved fame and fortune with other bands and as solo acts. Past members include: Eric Clapton, and Jack Bruce, (also of Cream), Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor, (who went on to a five -year stint with the Stones.) The studio album recorded with Clapton, entitled John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, was recorded in 1966, and is widely considered to be one of the great classic blues albums on either side of the stormy Atlantic. Cream came round right after.
John Mayall stands out for several reasons - his standing up for the blues, while experimenting with different approaches, his ability to attract the best of musicians; and perhaps most notably his willingness to work with musicians who far outshine him in sheer ability. And he himself sounds very good!
From:Wikipedia
My Children
John Mayall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Together once in a while
We go walking and talking
Seeing them smile and
Run and play
Reading their minds
Ever growing wiser
What to do
Right now
Lions and tigers are eating
Don'tcare that we stand and see
As we pass by their bars to the next attraction
The horses the birds in their cages
Such a shame thay can't be free
Like me and my children
Me and my children
So happy in the times that we ride in the day
And at night there's always a meal and a show
And then we go to the point where we say
Farewell to remember
When I go my love stays
With the children
The song "My Children" by John Mayall is a deeply emotional and sentimental tribute to the bond between a father and his children. The song tells the story of a father who takes his children out for walks and outings, relishing the simple joys of spending time with them. Mayall sings of the sheer joy he feels when he sees his children smile, and the pride and affection he feels watching them grow and mature.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of captivity and freedom, as the family visits the zoo and observes the lions and tigers in their cages. Mayall laments the fact that the animals are unable to experience the freedom that we take for granted, just as he cherishes the moments of freedom and happiness he shares with his children.
The chorus of "My Children" brings home the message of the song, with Mayall repeating the line "Me and my children" as if to emphasize the unbreakable bond between him and his offspring. The song ends on a bittersweet note, with Mayall reflecting on the fact that he will one day have to say goodbye to his children, but that his love for them will endure.
Line by Line Meaning
Me and my children
The singer is spending time with his kids
Together once in a while
Their time together is occasional
We go walking and talking
They take walks and have conversations
Seeing them smile and Run and play
The sight of his children happy brings the singer joy
Reading their minds
The singer is in tune with his children's thoughts and feelings
Ever growing wiser
The children are constantly learning and the singer is proud of their progress
What to do
The singer asks his children for ideas on their activities
We'll go to the zoo
They decide to visit the zoo
Right now
They are excited to visit the zoo immediately
Lions and tigers are eating
The animals at the zoo are feeding
Don't care that we stand and see
The animals aren't bothered by their presence
As we pass by their bars to the next attraction
They move on to see other animals in different enclosures
The horses the birds in their cages
They observe other animals in the zoo in confined spaces
Such a shame that can't be free
The singer feels empathy for the animals not living in the wild
Like me and my children
The singer is grateful for the freedom they have to explore and enjoy life together
So happy in the times that we ride in the day
The singer and his children enjoy riding together during the day
And at night there's always a meal and a show
They have time for dinner and entertainment at night
And then we go to the point where we say
They reach a moment of parting
Farewell to remember
They say goodbye, but the memory of the good times remains
When I go my love stays
Although the singer is leaving, his love for the children will always remain
With the children
The love is shared between the singer and his kids
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN MAYALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind