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 Didn't Know What Time It Was
Rahsaan Roland Kirk Lyrics
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Yesterday, perhaps
Danced with Jim and Paul
And kissed some other chaps
Once I was young
But never was naive
I thought I had a trick or two
And now I know I was naive
I didn't know what time it was
Then I met you
Oh, what a lovely time it was
How sublime it was too
I didn't know what day it was
You held my hand
Warm like the month of May it was
And I'll say it was grand
Grand to be alive, to be young
To be mad, to be yours alone
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
I didn't know what year it was
Life was no prize
I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
Grand to be alive, to be young
To be mad, to be yours alone
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
I didn't know what year it was
Life was no prize
I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
In "What," Rahsaan Roland Kirk sings about the experience of growing older and gaining wisdom. He reminisces about the years of his youth when he would dance and kiss boys named Jim and Paul. Though he was young, he was not naive and thought he knew a few tricks to get by. However, when he met someone special, he realizes that he truly didn't know what time, day or year it was until he met them.
The chorus acknowledges the joy and ecstasy that comes with being in love and feeling alive. To be young, mad, and in love is a feeling that cannot be beaten. The final verses bring Kirk to the present, where he recognizes the value of the love he has found. Despite the uncertainty and difficulties of life, the love he has found is a precious gift that he is grateful for.
What is interesting about this song is that Rahsaan Roland Kirk played multiple instruments on this recording, including flute, tenor saxophone, and manzello. It's also important to note that Kirk's unique style of playing multiple instruments at once was part of what cemented his place in the jazz community. Additionally, this song was adapted from a 1939 Broadway show called "Too Many Girls."
Line by Line Meaning
Once I was young
In the past, I was youthful and full of life
Yesterday, perhaps
It may have been a short time ago, but it feels far away
Danced with Jim and Paul
I used to enjoy dancing with my friends Jim and Paul
And kissed some other chaps
I had a youthful spirit and explored romantic relationships with different men
But never was naive
Despite my youth, I was always shrewd and clever
I thought I had a trick or two
I was confident in my abilities and thought I had some secret knowledge
Up my imaginary sleeve
I believed I had hidden strengths that would help me succeed
And now I know I was naive
Looking back, I realize that I was misguided in my thinking
I didn't know what time it was
I was unaware of the hour of the day
Then I met you
My life changed when I encountered you
Oh, what a lovely time it was
It was a beautiful and memorable moment
How sublime it was too
It was an exquisite feeling that was beyond words
I didn't know what day it was
I was unsure of which day of the week it was
You held my hand
You touched me in an intimate and meaningful way
Warm like the month of May it was
Your touch felt as delightful as a warm day in May
And I'll say it was grand
I'll admit that it was wonderful
Grand to be alive, to be young
It was amazing to experience life when I was young
To be mad, to be yours alone
I was head over heels in love with you and wanted to be with you exclusively
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
I was ecstatic to look into your eyes and feel the warmth of your skin
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
When you told me that you belonged to me, it made me feel incredible
Life was no prize
I wasn't satisfied with my life and was searching for something more
I wanted love and here it was
My desire for love was fulfilled when I met you
Shining out of your eyes
I could see the love radiating from your eyes
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
With experience, I've gained wisdom and understanding of the present moment
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind