He was born to a Lutheran minister, the Rev. Frederick J. Weertz (1891–1980) and a music teacher, Dorothea Bang Weertz (1895–1985), in Omaha, Nebraska. The family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, before his first birthday. He first played the piano at age three. In high school he became interested in boxing, mainly at his father's insistence, and only returned to music after breaking his nose several times and sustaining several other injuries.
He majored in piano at Drake University in Des Moines, but claimed he was expelled for playing "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" in the practice room. Weertz entered the United States Navy and served in World War II. While still in the Navy, he earned a bachelor's degree from Idaho State College (now Idaho State University) in 1950. Afterwards, Weertz re-enrolled at Drake, where he earned his master's degree. He then moved to New York City to attend Juilliard, where he studied jazz piano under Lennie Tristano and Teddy Wilson.
Williams won a talent contest on Dennis James' television program, Chance of a Lifetime. He was heard by David Kapp, founder of Kapp Records. Kapp was so impressed that he signed the pianist, changing his name to "Roger Williams" after the founder of Rhode Island.
In 1955 Williams recorded "Autumn Leaves", the only piano instrumental to reach #1 on Billboard's popular music chart. It sold over two million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. It was the fourth #1 song of the "rock era," which unofficially began with the ascension of "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets into the top spot. In 1966 he had another Top Ten hit with the song "Born Free" from the motion picture soundtrack. His other hits include "Near You", "Till", "The Impossible Dream", "Yellow Bird", "Maria", and "The Theme from Somewhere in Time". Billboard magazine ranks him as the top selling piano recording artist in history with 18 gold and platinum albums to his credit. Williams was known as the "Pianist to the Presidents" having played for nine administrations beginning with Harry S. Truman. His last White House performance was in November 2008 for a luncheon hosted by First Lady Laura Bush.
His interest in the public stems from a boyhood experience in Des Moines, Iowa. After a piano concert by the Polish genius Ignacy Jan Paderewski, young Roger waited for 45 minutes outside in the freezing cold to meet his idol. When the pianist finally appeared it was to rush to a waiting automobile. "I didn't even get near enough to touch him or get an autograph," says Williams. "It was then and there I resolved that if ever I became famous I would never disappoint anyone who wanted to talk to me."
On his 75th birthday, Williams performed his first 12-hour piano marathon. He performed the marathon at Steinway Hall in New York City and the Nixon, Carter and Reagan Presidential Libraries. His Steinway & Sons "Gold Steinway" grand piano was on tour for public display and entertainment during 2007–2008.
In 2010 Roger Williams was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. At that time, "Autumn Leaves" was the best-selling piano solo record of all time and the only one ever to top the Billboard charts.
In March 2011 Williams posted on his website that he had pancreatic cancer and that his doctors had told him they could not remove the tumor until chemotherapy shrunk it to an operable size. Williams said that he did not plan on canceling any upcoming concerts. He wrote: "What does it all mean? It means I'm in just one more fight — the fight for my life.. And this much I know, this old Navy boxing champion is going for broke. Just watch me!"
Williams died on October 8, 2011, one week after his 87th birthday.
The Green Leaves Of Summer
Roger Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
'Twas so good to be young then, in a season of plenty,
When the catfish were jumpin' as high as the sky.
A time just for plantin', a time just for ploughin'.
A time to be courtin' a girl of your own.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'.
The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
'Twas so good to be young then, with the sweet smell of apples,
And the owl in the pine tree a-winkin' his eye.
A time just for plantin', a time just for ploughin'.
A time just for livin', a place for to die.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
The Green Leaves of Summer is a nostalgic song that reflects on the joys of youth and the passage of time. The song's lyrics convey a sense of longing for a simpler time, and its bittersweet tone is accentuated by the recurring phrase "the green leaves of Summer are calling me home." The opening verses reminisce about the joys of youth, the abundance of nature, and the pleasures of courtship. The lyrics are vividly descriptive, with images of jumping catfish, sweet-smelling apples, and winking owls evoking the sensory experience of being in the natural world.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is looking back on these memories from a place of nostalgia and a sense of loss. The refrain, "the green leaves of Summer are calling me home," takes on a new meaning as a metaphor for mortality and the inevitable passing of time. The final verse suggests that the singer is ready to accept this passage, reflecting on the cycles of life and the idea that there is a time for everything.
All in all, The Green Leaves of Summer is a poignant and evocative meditation on the beauty of youth and the inevitability of change.
Line by Line Meaning
A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'.
There is a time for harvesting what we have sown, and there is a time for sowing the seeds of our future.
The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
Nature is beckoning me back to the place where I belong and where I am at peace.
'Twas so good to be young then, in a season of plenty,
It was wonderful to be young during a bountiful time, full of life and opportunity.
When the catfish were jumpin' as high as the sky.
When life was full of excitement and wonder, like watching catfish jump out of the water to impossible heights.
A time just for plantin', a time just for ploughin'.
There is a specific time to plant and to cultivate the land, and a time to prepare for the next season's growth.
A time to be courtin' a girl of your own.
There is a season for pursuing love and finding a partner to share life with.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
Being young and connected to the natural world was a wonderful thing and brought joy.
And to stand by your wife at the moment of birth.
Being there to support one's partner during the birth of a child was a moment of great significance and joy.
With the sweet smell of apples,
The season of plenty comes with the sweet aroma of ripe apples, symbolizing the good things in life.
And the owl in the pine tree a-winkin' his eye.
Nature is full of surprises and delights, like an owl in a tree, which brings joy and wonder.
A time just for livin', a place for to die.
Life is meant to be lived and cherished, and there is a special place for each one of us when our time comes to an end.
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
As the seasons change and nature prepares for its own growth, I am called back home to be closer to my roots and to my true self.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
Being young and connected to nature was a special and wonderful time, filled with adventure and joy.
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
Nature is always calling us back to its embrace, to be reminded of our place in the world and to find peace in that connection.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DIMITRI TIOMKIN, PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind