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.
Moon River
Rahsaan Roland Kirk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm crossin' you in style someday
Old dream maker, you heart-breaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
Two drifters off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
Waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend, Moon River, and me
In Rahsaan Roland Kirk's rendition of the classic song "Moon River," the lyrics depict a journey of two drifters crossing the river "in style someday." The opening line, "Moon River, wider than a mile," describes the vastness of the river, suggesting an arduous task to cross it.
The dream maker is someone who fulfills people's dreams, yet they are also a heartbreaker. The dream maker's heart-breaking nature is potentially due to the uncertainty of accomplishing dreams, as it is not a guarantee.
The two drifters in the song are on a mission to explore the world and all of its beauty. They are after the same rainbow's end, which may symbolize their shared dream or goal. They are waiting around the bend, signifying that their journey is still ongoing, and there is still more to uncover.
The use of "huckleberry friend" in the last line connotes a partner, a companion travelling together on this journey. It is also possible that 'my huckleberry friend' is a reference to Huckleberry Finn, a popular literary character, representing a spirit of adventure, independence, and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Moon River, wider than a mile
Addressing the vastness and expanse of the Moon River
I'm crossin' you in style someday
Expressing the desire to cross the Moon River with elegance and poise
Old dream maker, you heart-breaker
Acknowledging the bittersweet nature of dreams, which can bring both joy and sadness
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
Establishing loyalty to the Moon River, to follow it wherever it may lead
Two drifters off to see the world
Describing the adventurous spirit of the artist and the Moon River, both in search of new experiences
There's such a lot of world to see
Emphasizing the vastness of the world, and the potential for endless exploration
We're after the same rainbow's end
Expressing the pursuit of a common goal, represented by the elusive rainbow's end
Waitin' 'round the bend
Indicating that the goal is just out of reach, but still within sight
My huckleberry friend, Moon River, and me
Referring to the Moon River as a trusted and loyal friend, while also acknowledging the individuality of the artist
Lyrics © Tratore
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind