Jazz
Nina Simone Lyrics


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In the evening by the moonlight
When my mother had finished working
We used to sit around the fire place
Till the cornbread it was done
And then we all would eat our supper
After that we'd clean the kitchen
It's the only time they ever gave us to spare
To have a little fun
Then my daddy used to take his fiddle down
That hung upon the wall
While the silvery moon was shining clear and bright
How the folks would enjoy it
They would sit all night and listen
As we used to sing in the evening by the moonlight

In the evening by the moonlight
You could hear banjos ringing
You could hear them by the moonlight
You could hear my folks all singing
How my mother she would enjoy it
She would sit all night and listen
As we sang in the evening by the moolight oh yeah

In the evening by the moonlight
You could hear folks all singing
In the evening by the moonlight
You could hear my folks all singing
How my mother she would enjoy it
She would sit all night and listen
As we sang in the evening by the moolight oh yeah

In the evening by the moonlight
You could hear banjos ringing
In the evening by the moonlight
You could hear my folks all singing
How my mother she would enjoy it




She would sit all night and listen
As we sang in the evening by the moolight oh yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nina Simone's "Jazz in 2-3" paint a vivid picture of a simpler time, of family and community coming together at the end of the day to enjoy each other's company over a simple meal and music. The song describes evenings spent by the moonlight, where the family would gather around the fire once the work was finished, eat supper, and clean up. Then, the father would take down his fiddle and play while the family sang together. The banjo could be heard ringing in the background, and everyone sat all night and listened, enjoying each other's company.


The song is a nostalgic ode to a bygone era of communal music-making and family togetherness, and the lyrics are carefully crafted to evoke a sense of warmth, simplicity and joy. The repeated refrain of "in the evening by the moonlight" brings to mind a particular kind of magic, where the mundane becomes special and memorable simply because of the people you're with and the surroundings you're in.


Overall, "Jazz in 2-3" is a beautiful, heartfelt song that celebrates the transformative power of music and community. It is a reminder that even in the midst of daily struggles and hard work, there can be moments of joy and togetherness that make life worth living.


Line by Line Meaning

In the evening by the moonlight
During the night, under the light of the moon


When my mother had finished working
After my mother had finished working


We used to sit around the fire place
We would gather around the fireplace


Till the cornbread it was done
Until the cornbread was cooked


And then we all would eat our supper
We would have our meal


After that we'd clean the kitchen
We cleaned up the kitchen


It's the only time they ever gave us to spare
It was the only time we had to ourselves


To have a little fun
To enjoy ourselves a bit


Then my daddy used to take his fiddle down
My father would take his fiddle off the wall


That hung upon the wall
It was hanging on the wall


While the silvery moon was shining clear and bright
As the bright and shiny moon illuminated the night


How the folks would enjoy it
How everyone enjoyed the music


They would sit all night and listen
People would sit for hours and listen


As we used to sing in the evening by the moonlight
As we used to sing in the moonlit night


You could hear banjos ringing
You could hear the sound of banjos


You could hear them by the moonlight
You could hear them under the moonlight


You could hear my folks all singing
You could hear my family singing


How my mother she would enjoy it
How much my mother loved it


She would sit all night and listen
She would sit there all night and listen


As we sang in the evening by the moonlight oh yeah
As we sang at night under the moonlight




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NINA SIMONE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Sunita Fisher

🌸 So very thoughtful that you play Nina for her, I bet she remembers it
same for me this is one of my mom’s favourite singers ☺️
You made me recall beautiful memories, thank you so much 🎉

I played music like this for people at domiciliary care home where I worked. Once a lady told me she can remember every word of the songs but she can’t recall what she had for breakfast that day, all of other ladies giggled & said same thing.

I still visit & bring them roses and mainly chitchat. Worked there for over 7yrs, while I did gardening for lots of my elderly clients, most of them I did for free via age concern charity because they had no family & I wouldn’t take their money. Plus I loved spoiling them with flowers & surprises for their garden 🪴 I’m returning there soon, I missed it too much since I left working full time.

I loved mostly their life stories, I should put it into a book, after asking permission of families. I’m still friends with their daughters.
Occasionally ask me to help restore their gardens after their husbands had a go 🤣😂



FunTimes21

0:00 Feeling Good
2:58 Ain't Got No, I Got Life
7:04 I put a spell on you
9:42 Sinnerman
20:02 Don't let me be misunderstood
22:48 My baby just cares for me (cover)
26:25 Here comes the sun (cover)
30:24 Sinnerman (cover)
39:07 You'll never walk alone
42:34 Wild in the Wind(cover)
46:44 Feeling Good (cover)
51:00 Ain't Got No, I Got Life (cover)
55:16 I put a spell on you (cover)
59:29 Sinnerman (cover guitar)
1:04:10 Don't let me be (cover)



All comments from YouTube:

Mateo T

My mom used to play Nina in the house when I was a kid. I remember adoring that voice power and sadness in that woman! Thanks for opening my mind to this incredible artist. My mom has Alzheimer’s now, so I play Nina for her❤️

Rózsa Noémi

It's so good that you are such a nice son to your mother. I see you love each other very much. I hope this is how my sons will remember me when I'm gone...🥰

María

❤❤🤗🤗mamá 🌹🌹🌹

ObsoletSix36

bouse you mom is a queen send good thoughts!

Raymond Killick

Does your dear mum enjoy Simone’s music still?

Sunita Fisher

🌸 So very thoughtful that you play Nina for her, I bet she remembers it
same for me this is one of my mom’s favourite singers ☺️
You made me recall beautiful memories, thank you so much 🎉

I played music like this for people at domiciliary care home where I worked. Once a lady told me she can remember every word of the songs but she can’t recall what she had for breakfast that day, all of other ladies giggled & said same thing.

I still visit & bring them roses and mainly chitchat. Worked there for over 7yrs, while I did gardening for lots of my elderly clients, most of them I did for free via age concern charity because they had no family & I wouldn’t take their money. Plus I loved spoiling them with flowers & surprises for their garden 🪴 I’m returning there soon, I missed it too much since I left working full time.

I loved mostly their life stories, I should put it into a book, after asking permission of families. I’m still friends with their daughters.
Occasionally ask me to help restore their gardens after their husbands had a go 🤣😂

1 More Replies...

FunTimes21

0:00 Feeling Good
2:58 Ain't Got No, I Got Life
7:04 I put a spell on you
9:42 Sinnerman
20:02 Don't let me be misunderstood
22:48 My baby just cares for me (cover)
26:25 Here comes the sun (cover)
30:24 Sinnerman (cover)
39:07 You'll never walk alone
42:34 Wild in the Wind(cover)
46:44 Feeling Good (cover)
51:00 Ain't Got No, I Got Life (cover)
55:16 I put a spell on you (cover)
59:29 Sinnerman (cover guitar)
1:04:10 Don't let me be (cover)

Sunita Fisher

🌸 thank you for taking the time to do this for all of us, you are so thoughtful & sweet 🌟✨

Giullia Caroline

😅

Chuck Hallowell

I saw Ms. Nina at Newport, RI -- 1960 -- and have been completely mezmerized with her music ever since that day.
I bought every album, memorized every note, and her music plays in my head continuously.
Nina's finest music appeared during her stint with COLPIX -- "Nina at Newport" and "Forbidden Fruit" are true masterpieces of unworldly talent.
Nina Simone was THE QUEEN -- and the GREATEST female jazz performer of ALL TIME.

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