Song of Our Country
Miles Davis Lyrics


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Babe, you know about the autumn
When the leaves are falling down
(Long Yeah)
Oh, and all the pretty flowers
Slowly wither to the ground

All the birds that stayed the summer
Spread their wings and fly away
And the sun that used to shine so bright
Goes to hide behind the grey

Well you've also heard 'bout spring time
Life returns in such galore
And because it wasn't always there
You enjoy it all the more

I've been away for so looong
But like the winds of the summer weather
I am back and I'm even better
Nothing can break up this bond
We're in our prime, this is our time

Well you know it is quite common
Complications come around
Can't escape that we're all human
We all have our ups and downs

But we gotta fix our vision
Above the things that cloud our eyes




When you see your full potential
Like a Phoenix you will rise

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Miles Davis's song, "Song of Our Country" are symbolic of the cyclical nature of life and the importance of recognizing the beauty in each season. The singer first draws attention to the autumn, a time when the leaves wither and fall to the ground and the once-bright sun hides behind grey clouds. This imagery represents the end of a period of growth and abundance, but also serves to remind the listener that this is a necessary stage in the cycle of life. Similarly, the singer notes that the birds fly away as the weather changes in the fall, but they will return in the spring, highlighting how each season has its own unique qualities and contributions to the cycle of life.


The second verse speaks to the theme of resurrection and renewal, as the singer compares himself to the winds of summer weather. He has been away for a long time, but now he is back, and he is "even better." This suggests that the time away has been a period of growth and transformation, and that he has emerged from it stronger and more capable than before. The final verse suggests that life is full of challenges and complications, but we must rise above them and focus on our potential. The image of the Phoenix rising from the ashes is a powerful metaphor for the idea that adversity can be a transformative experience.


Overall, "Song of Our Country" is a deeply reflective and meditative piece that encourages listeners to embrace the cyclical nature of life and to recognize the beauty in each stage of the journey.


Line by Line Meaning

Babe, you know about the autumn
You understand what autumn is like, when the leaves fall.


When the leaves are falling down
During this season, leaves fall from trees to the ground.


(Long Yeah)
A drawn-out exclamation of agreement or affirmation.


Oh, and all the pretty flowers
Additionally, beautiful flowers also slowly wilt and droop downwards.


Slowly wither to the ground
Gradually dying until they finally rest horizontally on the soil.


All the birds, that stayed the summer
The birds which lived through the summer season


Spread their wings and fly away
Now spread their wings and soar away, migrating due to the changing season.


And the sun that used to shine so bright
The sun, which once radiated light with high energy levels


Goes to hide behind the grey
It dips behind the horizon, overcast with cloudy, grey skies.


Well you've also heard 'bout spring time
I'm sure you've heard about the next season, springtime.


Life returns in such galore
An abundance of renewal in nature takes place during spring.


And because it wasn't always there
Since this rebirth wasn't always apparent


You enjoy it all the more
It's more delightful when it does come around.


I've been away for so long
I have not been here for a very long period of time.


But like the winds of the summer weather
But like summer's breeze, I came back seamlessly and naturally.


I am back and I'm even better
I'm back now, better than I ever was before.


Nothing can break up this bond
Our attachment cannot be broken or separated, no matter what the circumstance.


We're in our prime, this is our time
We are currently at our highest stage of development and this moment belongs to us.


Well you know it is quite common
It's something you already understand to be very commonplace.


Complications come around
Difficulties and problems arise every so often.


Can't escape that we're all human
We can't evade the fact that all of us are human and imperfect.


We all have our ups and downs
We all have our happy and sad experiences.


But we gotta fix our vision
However, something we need to do is focus our outlook.


Above the things that cloud our eyes
To rise over the things that heavily influence us in the wrong way.


When you see your full potential
Once you realize your complete capabilities,


Like a Phoenix you will rise
You'll flourish once again, like a Phoenix, rising from the ashes.




Writer(s): Gil Evans

Contributed by Emma L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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