All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
Max Roach Clifford Brown Lyrics

The lyrics of Max Roach and Clifford Brown's song All God's Chillun Got Rhythm is a message of optimism and unity. It suggests that no matter what kind of struggle or inequality people may face, they can always find comfort in music. The phrase "All God's Chillun" is a play on the popular Southern dialect term for "All God's Children," while "Chillun" is a less formal way of saying "children."

The first stanza sets up the theme of the song, with the singer sharing their personal philosophy that helps them face the struggles of the day. The use of repetition, with "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" and "All God's Chillun got swing" in subsequent stanzas, serves to reinforce the message that music is a universal language that can bring people together regardless of their troubles or differences.

The line "Maybe haven't got money, maybe haven't got shoes" suggests that financial resources, or the absence of them, do not impede people's ability to tap into the joys of music. In the second half of the second stanza, the use of onomatopoeia ("ho ho ho de ho") adds a playful element to the song and reinforces the idea that music can ease any trouble that people may face.

Overall, the song conveys a message that despite the challenges and struggles that people face, they can always find solace in the beat and rhythm of music.