Nigel Kennedy (born December 28, 1956 in Brighton, England) is a violinist … Read Full Bio ↴Nigel Kennedy (born December 28, 1956 in Brighton, England) is a violinist and violist. He was a pupil at the Yehudi Menuhin School, under Yehudi Menuhin himself, and later at the Juilliard School under Dorothy DeLay.

Kennedy has done much a to popularise classical music, particularly among young people. He has also performed and recorded most of the major violin concerti.

Kennedy expresses concern for the immediate appeal of live performance, and often records entire works or movements in single 'takes' to preserve this sense in his recordings. He also introduces improvisatory elements in his performances, as in his Jimi Hendrix-inspired cadenza to the Ludwig van Beethoven violin concerto and his jazz and fusion recordings.

Away from his musical career, Kennedy is a supporter of football clubs Aston Villa and Cracovia. Recently he has appeared on Cracovia's 100th anniversary in club replica kit.
www.nigel-kennedy.net/

Song For My Father
Nigel Kennedy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If there was ever a man
Who was generous, gracious and good
That was my dad
The man
A human being so true
He could live like a king
'Cause he knew
The real pleasure in life

To be devoted to
And always stand by me
So I’d be unafraid and free

If there was ever a man
Who was generous, gracious and good
That was my dad
The man
A human being so true
He could live like a king
'Cause he knew
The real pleasure in life

To be devoted to
And always stand by me
So I’d be unafraid and free

If there was ever a man
Who was generous, gracious and good

That was my dad
The man, The man

Overall Meaning

"Song for my Father" is a jazz instrumental piece with no lyrics, but in this version, we see lyrics added by Leon Thomas. The song is a tribute to a father who exemplified generosity, graciousness, and goodness. The singer of the song is reflecting on how their father lived a life full of pleasure, not because he had a lot of material possessions, but because he knew how to be devoted to his family and always stand by them. The singer feels unafraid and free because of this support from their dad. The repetition of the phrase "If there was ever a man" is used to emphasize the pure goodness of the father that the singer is praising. By describing their father in such glowing terms, the singer is also reflecting on how lucky they feel to have had someone like him in their life.

Overall, the lyrics of "Song for my Father" are a heartfelt tribute to a beloved dad who was a role model for the singer. Through the lyrics, the singer conveys a strong feeling of admiration, gratitude, and love towards their father. The message of the song is simple: the real pleasure in life comes from being devoted to and standing by those we love.

Line by Line Meaning

If there was ever a man
This line is a statement that poses a question regarding whether or not there was ever a man who possessed certain qualities.

Who was generous, gracious and good
The singer is describing the man they are referring to by using these three adjectives. This indicates that the man was kind to others and had a good heart.

That was my dad
The singer is making a personal connection by stating that this person they are describing is their father.

The man
This is a direct reference to the person being described as a man.

A human being so true
The use of the word 'true' indicates that this person was honest and genuine.

He could live like a king
The person being described had the ability to live a life of luxury and abundance due to their character and values.

'Cause he knew
This phrase suggests that this person had a specific knowledge or understanding that allowed them to live a fulfilling life.

The real pleasure in life
The artist is suggesting that the person being described had a clear understanding of what truly makes life enjoyable or meaningful.

To be devoted to
This phrase suggests that the person being described was committed to something or someone, indicating their loyalty and dedication.

And always stand by me
This could suggest the person being described as a father was always there for their child and provided support.

So I’d be unafraid and free
The father figure described gave their child a sense of security and independence, so they could live their life without fear or restrictions.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: HORACE SILVER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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