Summertime
Peggy Lee & The Four Of A Kind Lyrics
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And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high
Oh your daddy's rich
And your ma is good lookin'
So hush little baby
One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky
Till that morning
There ain't nothing can harm you
With daddy and mammy
Standing by
One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky
But till that morning
There ain't nothing can harm you
With daddy and mammy
Standing, standing by
in Peggy Lee's song is a depiction of the carefree summer season. The opening lines suggest that everything is peaceful and relaxed, with the fish jumping and the cotton high, presenting a perfect picture of a hot summer day. Peggy Lee then describes the ideal family situation, with a rich father and beautiful mother, promising the baby that there is nothing to worry about. The entire song is a lullaby, with the mother trying to ease the baby's tension and ensure it sleeps soundly throughout the night. Lee describes the freedom of the summer season and how the baby will soon grow up, but until then, they will be kept safe and secure.
The lyrics have been interpreted in various ways, with many claiming that the song is a reference to the African American experience in the 1930s. The depiction of a wealthy father, beautiful mother, and the promise of protection is seen as a prayer for a better life, a hope that their lives could be as peaceful and carefree as the summers described in the song. Others argue that the song is about the cyclical nature of life, with summer representing the peak of life and happiness, while winter represents the decline.
Line by Line Meaning
Summertime, and the livin' is easy
It's summertime and everything seems easier and more relaxed.
Fish are jumpin', and the cotton is high
The fish are jumping in the river, and the cotton plants have grown tall.
Yo' daddy's rich, and yo' mama's good-lookin'
Your parents are both well-off and attractive.
So hush little baby, don't you cry
There is no reason to cry, everything is peaceful and calm.
One of these mornin's you gonna rise up singin'
One day you will wake up feeling happy and full of life.
You gonna spread your little wings, and you'll take to the sky
You will find the courage to follow your dreams and fly high.
But 'till that mornin', there ain't nothin' gonna harm you
Until that day comes, you are safe and protected from harm.
With yo mama and daddy, standin' bye
Your parents are always there to support and guide you.
Now it's summertime, and the livin' is easy
The summertime continues to be a time of ease and relaxation.
Them fish are jumpin', and the cotton's 'bout waist high
The fish continue to jump in the river and the cotton plants are now as tall as someone's waist.
Yo' daddy's rich, and, ya know yo' mama's good-lookin'
Your parents remain well-off and attractive.
Now hush little baby, don't, you cry
Everything is still peaceful and calm, there is no need to cry.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, ACUM Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Heyward, Du Bose Heyward, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind