Rockin' Chair
Louis Armstrong & The Louis Armstrong Orchestra Lyrics
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Fetch me that gin, son, 'fore I tan your hide
Can't get from this cabin, goin' nowhere
Just set me here grabbin' at the flies 'round this rockin' chair
My dear old aunt Harriet--in Heaven she be
Send me, sweet chariot, for the end of the trouble I see
Old rockin' chair gets it--Judgement Day is here
Old rockin' chair's got me, son, (rocking chair got you, father)
My cane by my side, (Yes, your cane by your side)
Now fetch me a little gin, son (ain't got no gin, father)
What? 'Fore I tan your hide, now, (you're gonna tan my hide)
You know I can't get from this old cabin (What cabin? Joking)
I ain't goin' nowhere (Why ain't you goin' nowhere?)
Just sittin' me here grabbin' (grabbin')
At the flies round this old rockin' chair (rockin' chair)
Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet (aunt Harriet)
How long in Heaven she be? (She's up in Heaven)
Send me down, send me down, sweet (sweet chariot) chariot
End of this trouble I see (I see, daddy)
Old rockin' chair gets it, son (rocking chair get it, father)
Judgement Day is here too (your Judgement Day is here)
Chained to my rockin', old rockin' chair
The lyrics of "A Rockin' Chair" by Louis Armstrong and His Savoy Ballroom Five convey a feeling of being trapped and isolated. The singer is stuck in his cabin with his old rocking chair, unable to go anywhere or do anything. He requests for some gin to ease his frustration but threatens to harm his son if he doesn't comply. He reflects on his mortality, anticipating "Judgement Day" and hoping for his troubles to end.
The mention of the singer's Aunt Harriet who is now in heaven, and his request for a sweet chariot to take him there at the end of his troubles, suggests a kind of resignation to his circumstances. The rocking chair becomes a symbol of his old age, solitude, and impending death. The imagery of the flies buzzing around him also reinforces the feeling of being stagnant and stuck.
Overall, the lyrics of "A Rockin' Chair" paint a vivid picture of a man coming to terms with his isolation and mortality while seeking some kind of solace through companionship or escape.
Line by Line Meaning
Old rockin' chair's got me, son,
The father is trapped and controlled by his old rocking chair.
My cane by my side,
He keeps his cane by his side for support and safety.
Now fetch me a little gin, son
He requests alcohol to alleviate his troubles or pain.
What? 'Fore I tan your hide, now,
He threatens his son with punishment if he doesn't comply with his request.
You know I can't get from this old cabin
He is physically limited and unable to leave his home.
I ain't goin' nowhere
He has no plans or ability to travel or explore outside of his cabin.
Just sittin' me here grabbin' (grabbin')
He is idle and bored, with nothing to do but swat at flies around him.
At the flies round this old rockin' chair
He is surrounded by pests and discomfort in his environment.
Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet
He recalls his past and family members who have passed on.
How long in Heaven she be?
He wonders how long ago his aunt passed away and entered Heaven.
Send me down, send me down, sweet (sweet chariot) chariot
He longs for death to relieve him of his suffering and bring him to a better place.
End of this trouble I see
He believes that death will bring an end to his hardships and problems.
Old rockin' chair gets it, son
He knows that his rocking chair is a symbol of his mortality and eventual death.
Judgement Day is here too
He knows that his time to face judgment and reckon with his deeds is coming.
Chained to my rockin', old rockin' chair
He is bound and trapped by his attachment to his belongings and his physical limitations.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: HOAGY CARMICHAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Orchid Planter
If you're listening to this now, you're a champ. Love from southern U.S.A.!
Ricardo Lopez
Dos genios
jibsmokestack1
Imo one of the most talented double acts of all time! Louis the greatest trumpeter and most influential singer and most important jazz musician in history! Jack the greatest Bone man of all time and the most natural white blues singer of that time imo! Magic!
irish1209
Legends. I hope those people in the audience appreciated that years later. ❤️
bob boscarato
I do too but they probably liked The Beatles too!
Charles Barry
Two great legends.
RIP gentlemen
Ruth Dixon
thank god we have footage of these memorable performances. Jack Teagarden is an absolute treasure.
jenny_jenny_nc
Brothers Jack and Louis. My heart to them forever. What a way to grow up! ♥ Old rockin chair almost got me now lol!... seriously.
Joe Sprinks
Louise and Jack at the Newport jazz festival out of this World !!!
Cathy Serafinowicz
Love this so much.😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️