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.
Once In A While
Rahsaan Roland Kirk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One little thought to me
Though someone else may be
Nearer your heart?
Once in a while will you dream
Of the moments I shared with you
Moments before we two
In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
That spark may burn again
I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory
Knowing you think of me
Once in a while
In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
The spark may burn again
I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory
Knowing you think of me
Once in a while
The song "Once in a While" by Rahsaan Roland Kirk is a beautiful, melancholic lyrical representation of unrequited love. The song is about a person pining for someone who is not reciprocating their affections. The singer is pleading for the person to occasionally think about them, even if they are currently closer to someone else's heart. They ask if they can dream about the moments they shared, even if they have drifted apart. The song is about the hope and longing that resides when love still smolders. The singer acknowledges that he will be content with yesterday's memories and the thought of being remembered once in a while.
The song is infused with emotions of sadness, yearning and acceptance. The singer's voice has a gentle and wistful quality that imbues the lyrics with a haunting and melancholic quality. The use of "once in a while" throughout the song underscores the unrelenting nature of the singer's feelings. Despite the fact that they may not be reciprocated, the singer acknowledges that even a spark of love in the smoldering ember could relight the flame of the relationship.
Overall, "Once in a While" is a poignant representation of unrequited love that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever loved someone who didn't feel the same way.
Line by Line Meaning
Once in a while will you try to give
Could you please make an effort to give
One little thought to me
Just a tiny thought directed at me
Though someone else may be
Even if someone else has captured your heart
Nearer your heart?
And is closer to you than me?
Once in a while will you dream
Could you sometimes have a dream
Of the moments I shared with you
About the times we spent together
Moments before we two
Before we drifted apart
Drifted apart?
And lost our connection?
In love's smoldering ember
Despite feeling like the fire of love has almost gone out
One spark may remain
There is a chance that a little bit of love is still there
If love still can remember
If the emotions still hold that memory
That spark may burn again
A flame of love can be reignited
I know that I'll be contented
I believe I will be satisfied
With yesterday's memory
Just by having yesterday's memory
Knowing you think of me
If I know that I am on your thoughts
Once in a while
Occasionally
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BUD GREEN, MICHAEL EDWARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marty Eigen
You do realize that what Roland Kirk does is biologically impossible!
George Neidorf
@Heiner Metzger It's not just the circular breathing, many horn players do that, it's the ability to play 3 horns at once.
Heiner Metzger
Why is it impossible? Circular breathing is an old technique, in tibetian and arabian music f.e., everyone can learn it. But R. Kirk did it very musical and elaborated
D NEIL
Gods gift to the world.