Yesterdays
Paul Chambers Quartet Lyrics
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Days I knew as happy
Sweet sequester days
Olden days, golden days
Days of mad romance and love
Then gay youth was mine, truth was mine
Joyous free and flaming life
Sad am I, glad am I
For today I’m dreaming of yesterdays
Yesterdays, yesterdays
Days I knew as happy
Sweet sequester days
Olden days, golden days
Days of mad romance and love
Then gay youth was mine, truth was mine
Joyous free and flaming life
Forsooth, was mine
Sad am I, glad am I
For today I’m dreaming of yesterdays
Yesterdays, yesterdays
Days I knew as happy
Sweet sequester days
Olden days, golden days
Days of mad romance and love
Then gay youth was mine, truth was mine
Joyous free and flaming life
Forsooth, was mine
Sad am I, glad am I
For today I’m dreaming of yesterdays
Yesterdays
, a classic standard originally written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach in 1933, has been covered by countless artists over the years, each bringing their own interpretation to the melancholic lyrics about longing for the past. In the Paul Chambers Quartet version, the mournful tone is emphasized through the hauntingly beautiful melody played by Chambers on double bass, accompanied by John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Kenny Burrell on guitar, and Philly Joe Jones on drums.
The lyrics reflect on happier times, "olden days, golden days," when the singer was young and carefree, filled with "joyous free and flaming life." However, it is clear that the nostalgia is tinged with sadness, as the singer dreams of those days because of their current unhappiness. The use of the word "sequester" implies a sense of withdrawal, as if the singer is separate from the world of the past that they long for.
The repetitive nature of the lyrics, with the same verse repeated three times, emphasizes the cyclical nature of nostalgia. The past is something that can never truly be recaptured, yet the singer is trapped in a cycle of longing for it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterdays, yesterdays
Reflecting on past memories, the happy and the sad days that have passed.
Days I knew as happy
Recalling the memories of those days which were filled with joy and happiness.
Sweet sequester days
The memories of secluded days that were full of happiness and joy with no worries about the future.
Olden days, golden days
Portraying memories of the past days, which were filled with great moments and were worth cherishing forever.
Days of mad romance and love
Recollection of the days full of strong emotions and intense love.
Then gay youth was mine, truth was mine
During those days, the singer had youth, freedom and lived a truthful life.
Joyous free and flaming life
The past goes down as a period where the singer lived a free and spirited life, truly enjoying every moment of it.
Forsooth, was mine
The recollection of the past dominates the artist's present life with a strong feeling of nostalgia and fondness.
Sad am I, glad am I
The artist is a mixture of emotions while reflecting on the past. The happiness of the memories resonates, but they are also saddened that they cannot relive them again.
For today I’m dreaming of yesterdays
The artist's mind wanders back to the past and realizes how things have changed. They reminisce and long for the happiness that was once there.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JEROME KERN, OTTO HARBACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob Wood
This is undoubtedly the pick of your latest videos for me, Alvaro! The sound of the bowing is almost tangible! I have one of the Tone Poet series - they're really good aren't they?
George Doughly
Yes, all of the Blue Note Tone Poet Series albums are Excellent!