Kirk was born Ronald Kirk on 7th August 1935, in Columbus, Ohio, but felt compelled by a dream to transpose two letters in his first name to make Roland. After another dream in about 1970 he added Rahsaan to his name.
His playing was generally rooted in soul jazz or hard bop, but Kirk's encyclopedic knowledge of jazz history allowed him to draw convincingly on any element of the music's history, from ragtime to swing and free jazz. Kirk also regularly explored classical and pop music.
Kirk played and collected a vast number of musical instruments, mainly various saxophones, clarinets, and flutes. His main instruments were tenor saxophone, and two obscure saxophones: the manzello (similar to a soprano sax) and the stritch (a straight alto sax lacking the instrument's characteristic upturned bell). Kirk modified these instruments himself to accommodate his simultaneous playing technique. He typically appeared on stage with all three horns hanging around his neck, as well as a variety of other instruments, including flutes and whistles. Kirk also played harmonica, cor anglais, recorders, and was a competent trumpeter. He often used unusual instruments or combinations of instrument parts, using a saxophone mouthpiece on a trumpet or playing nose flute. He additionally used many extramusical sounds in his music, such as alarm clocks, whistles, sirens, and even primitive electronic sounds (before such things became commonplace).
In addition to the saxophones, Kirk was also an influential flautist, employing several novel techniques that he developed himself. One technique was to sing or hum into the flute at the same time as playing. (This technique was adopted later by many other players, including Jeremy Steig and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.) Another was to play the standard transverse flute at the same time as a nose flute.
I'll Be Seeing You
Rahsaan Roland Kirk Lyrics
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That this heart of mine embraces all day through
In that small cafe, the park across the way
The children's carousel,
The chestnut trees, the wishing well
I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll find you in the morning' sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
The lyrics to "I'll Be Seeing You" by Rahsaan Roland Kirk express a longing and nostalgia for a loved one who is no longer physically present. The singer sings of seeing this person in all the old familiar places, such as a small cafe, a park, a children's carousel, and even in nature, like the chestnut trees and wishing well. These places hold memories of their time together, and the singer's heart still embraces them all day through. The nostalgia carries over into every lovely summer's day, where the singer sees the loved one in everything that's light and gay. This person will always be thought of in this way, as the nostalgia and longing persists even when they are not together.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places
I'll keep reminiscing about you by visualizing all the places that my heart has embraced all day long
That this heart of mine embraces all day through
All day long, my heart keeps embracing the memories of you and our beautiful times together
In that small cafe, the park across the way
Every time I go to that small cafe, or when I am in the park across the way, you'll always be in my thoughts
The children's carousel,
The carousel that children ride on, an allusion to the joys of childhood and you, who was part of my youth
The chestnut trees, the wishing well
Whenever I see the chestnut trees, and the wishing well, I'll think of you, and the fond memories in those places we shared together
I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's day
You're always on my mind on beautiful summer days, and I can't help but remember all the beautiful moments we shared together
In everything that's light and gay
Anything that brings cheer and joy will remind me of you and the happy times we spent together
I'll always think of you that way
My thoughts will always be filled with memories of you, and I'll always think of you as my happiness
I'll find you in the morning' sun
The warmth of the morning sun will remind me of you, and the time we spent together, especially watching sunrises and sunsets
And when the night is new
Even in the darkness of night, you'll still be in my thoughts, and nothing can keep you away from my mind
I'll be looking at the moon
No matter where I am, I'll be gazing at the peaceful moon, a reminder of the love and devotion that we shared
But I'll be seeing you
Through everything and in every moment of life, you'll always be in my thoughts and memories, keeping me company and reminding me of the love we once shared
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IRVING KAHAL, SAMMY FAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind