Hodges was apparently aware of this effect, leaving the Ellington orchestra in the 1950's, to be replaced by the stellar alto man, Willie Smith, formerly the lead alto star of the Jimmy Lunceford Orchestra. This situation somehow benefitted neither Ellington or Hodges, with the Ellington orchestra losing a certain luster despite Mr. Smith's excellence, and with major stardom just beyond Mr. Hodges' reach.
Luckily for the listener the recordings Mr. Hodges left behind as a leader, while arguably eluding stardom for the artist at the time, are nonpareil examples of relaxed swing, subtle inflection and perfect phrasing, peerless tone and seemingly effortless technique. More luck for the listener, Mr. Hodges later rejoined the Ellington fold, returning a signature sound to the orchestra's unique palette for many years after.
It has been reported that the Ellington orchestra worked nearly 365 days a year. When asked about this grueling schedule Mr. Ellington said something to the effect that he would settle for nothing less than the finest artists for his orchestra. What with the necessarily high salaries accorded an orchestra of virtuosos, the band had to work often in order to survive. Certainly no one in the Ellington orchestra more exemplified Mr. Ellington's highest standards than Johhny Hodges.
The gypsy without a song
Johnny Hodges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without a song the road would never bend
When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
Without a song
That field of corn would never see a plow
That field of corn would be deserted now
A man is born but he's no good no how
Without a song
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
I'll never know what makes that grass so tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song
I've-a got my trouble and woe and, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll-a never know what makes that rain to fall
I'll never know what makes the grass so tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song
"The Gypsy Without a Song" is a poignant reflection on the power and importance of music in our lives. The lyrics express the idea that without a song, life would lack meaning and purpose. The opening lines, "Without a song the day would never end, Without a song the road would never bend," highlight the significance of music in shaping our experiences and guiding us through the journey of life. It suggests that music has the ability to shape our emotions, providing solace and companionship during difficult times. The line, "When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend, Without a song," emphasizes the healing and comforting nature of music, suggesting that it can be a true friend to us in times of trouble.
The song goes on to explore the idea that music is not only essential for individual existence but also has an impact on the world around us. The line, "That field of corn would never see a plow, That field of corn would be deserted now," implies that music gives life and purpose to otherwise barren or mundane aspects of existence. It suggests that without music, life would lack productivity and creativity, leading to a sense of emptiness and desolation. The next line, "A man is born but he's no good no how, Without a song," further emphasizes the transformative power of music, implying that without it, humanity would be incomplete and unable to reach its full potential.
The chorus, "I've-a got my trouble and woe and, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll, And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul," reaffirms the idea that music has the ability to uplift and sustain us even in the face of adversity. It suggests that through music, we can find strength and resilience to navigate through life's challenges. The repeated lines, "I'll never know what makes the rain to fall, I'll never know what makes that grass so tall, I only know there ain't no love at all, Without a song," highlight the inexplicable and mysterious nature of music. It implies that music brings a sense of harmony and love to our lives, and without it, love and true connection would be absent.
Overall, "The Gypsy Without a Song" is a beautiful testament to the profound influence of music in bringing joy, solace, and purpose to our existence. It suggests that music has the ability to transcend time, connect us to our emotions, and provide a sense of hope and meaning in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Without a song the day would never end
The day would feel endless and monotonous without the beauty and inspiration that music brings.
Without a song the road would never bend
The journey of life would lack excitement and variety without the melodies and rhythms of music.
When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
During difficult times, it is music that becomes a reliable companion and source of solace.
That field of corn would never see a plow
Without music, one's potential and creativity would remain untapped, just like a neglected field of corn.
That field of corn would be deserted now
Without music, the world would be devoid of artistic expression and vibrant culture.
A man is born but he's no good no how
Music is what gives purpose and meaning to human existence, without it, life seems hollow and meaningless.
I got my trouble and woe but, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
Despite facing hardships and sorrows, I am certain that life's challenges will pass, just like the rolling of the Jordan River.
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
As long as I have music deeply embedded in my soul, I will find the strength and resilience to carry on.
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
The mysteries of nature and its workings are beyond my comprehension, including the reasons behind rainfall.
I'll never know what makes that grass so tall
The secrets behind the growth and vitality of nature, like the tall grass, remain veiled from my understanding.
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without the beauty of music, love and its profound emotions would cease to exist, leaving emptiness in its wake.
I've-a got my trouble and woe and, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
Despite the struggles and difficulties I face, I am certain that life will continue to move forward, like the rolling Jordan River.
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
My spirit will endure and thrive as long as I hold onto the power and influence of music within me.
I'll-a never know what makes that rain to fall
The enigmatic causes of rainfall will forever elude my understanding and reasoning.
I'll never know what makes the grass so tall
The underlying factors behind the growth and height of grass will always remain a mystery to me.
I only know there ain't no love at all
The absence of music would leave love devoid of its purest expressions, leaving a void of affection and connection.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, Vincent Youmans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind