Clooney's first recordings, in May 1946, were for Columbia Records. She sang with Tony Pastor's big band. Clooney continued working with the Pastor band until 1949, making her last recording with the band in May of that year and her first as a solo artist a month later, still for Columbia.
She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the novelty hit Come On-a My House written by William Saroyan and his cousin Ross Bagdasarian (better known as David Seville, the father figure of Alvin and the Chipmunks), which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me" (a cover version of the Italian song Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccina by Alberto Rabagliati), "Mambo Italiano", "Tenderly", "Half as Much", "Hey There" and "This Ole House", although she had success as a jazz vocalist. Clooney's career languished in the 1960s, partly due to problems related to depression and drug addiction, but revived in 1977, when her White Christmas co-star Bing Crosby asked her to appear with him at a show marking his 50th anniversary in show business. She continued recording until her death in 2002. She was the aunt of Academy Award winning actor George Clooney; mother-in-law of singer Debby Boone; and sister to former television personality Nick Clooney. She was the ex-wife of Jose Ferrer; mother of actor Miguel Ferrer
Clooney was diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of 2001. Around this time, she gave her last concert, in Hawaii, backed by the Honolulu Symphony Pops; her last song was "God Bless America".
This Ole House
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This ole house once knew his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This old house heard many shouts
Now he trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
This ole house is a-gettin' shaky
This ole house is a-gettin' old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
On his knees are a-gettin' chilly
But he feel no fear or pain
'Cause he see an angel peekin'
Through a broken windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longerHe's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
This ole house is afraid of thunder
This ole house is afraid of storms
This ole house just groans and trembles
When the night wind flings its arms
This ole house is gettin' feeble
This old house is needin' paint
Just like him it's tuckered out
But he's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
ready to meet the saints
The song "This Ole House" was released by Rosemary Clooney in 1954, and it was written by Stuart Hamblen. The lyrics describe an old house that was once home to a family, where they fought through the storms of life and created fond memories. However, as time passed, the house became shaky, feeble, and old, and the family is no longer there to care for it. The old house is afraid of thunder, storms, and lightning, and it groans and trembles at night. The song suggests that the old man who lives in the house is getting ready to meet the saints, which implies that he may be close to death.
The song's lyrics can be interpreted in several ways. On one level, the lyrics can be seen as a metaphor for the passing of time and the impermanence of life. The old house represents the memories and experiences of life that we accumulate over time, which become less important as we near our end. It suggests that as we face the end of our lives, material possessions become less important than love, family, and spirituality.
On another level, the lyrics can be seen as a commentary on the changing nature of society. The old house once held a family, and it was a place of stability and comfort. However, as society changes rapidly, the old values and traditions are being eroded, leaving people feeling shaky and uncertain. The lyrics suggest that people need to focus on the things that matter in life, such as family, love, and spirituality, rather than material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
This ole house once knew his children
This house was once a home where the children of its owner grew up
This ole house once knew his wife
The owner of this house once lived here with his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
This house provided both shelter and comfort to its owner and his family
As they fought the storms of life
This house was a refuge from the challenges and hardships of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This house was once filled with the joyous sound of laughter and happiness
This old house heard many shouts
This house was witness to many lively and spirited conversations
Now he trembles in the darkness
This house is now old and decrepit, and its structure is unstable
When the lightnin' walks about
During a storm, this house trembles and shakes in fear
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
The owner of this house is no longer in need of it
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
This house has served its purpose and is no longer necessary
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
There is no time to repair the damage to the roof of this house
Ain't got time to fix the floor
There is no time to repair the damage to the floor of this house
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
There is no time to oil the hinges of the doors in this house
Nor to mend the windowpane
There is no time to repair the broken windowpane in this house
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
The owner of this house is preparing to leave this life and move on to the next
This ole house is a-gettin' shaky
This house is now in a state of disrepair and instability
This ole house is a-gettin' old
This house has aged over time and is now past its prime
This ole house lets in the rain
This house has leaks and allows rainwater to enter
This ole house lets in the cold
This house is poorly insulated and allows cold air to enter
On his knees are a-gettin' chilly
The owner of this house is on his knees and they are becoming cold and numb
But he feel no fear or pain
The owner of this house is not afraid or in pain
'Cause he see an angel peekin'
The owner of this house sees a vision of an angel through a broken windowpane
Just like him it's tuckered out
This house, like its owner, is tired and worn out
This ole house is afraid of thunder
This house is scared of loud noises and trembles during thunderstorms
This ole house is afraid of storms
This house is scared of storms because of its unstable structure
This ole house just groans and trembles
This house makes creaking and shaking sounds during storms
When the night wind flings its arms
High winds during storms cause this house to shake and tremble
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stuart Hamblen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TomElvisSmith
"This Ole House" by Rosemary charted at number 1 in Billboard and number 1 on the UK Singles chart, so this was quite a popular song. Written by Stuart Hamblen. Rosemary appeared 16 times on the Sullivan show. It's always great to see footage of '50's music! I would LOVE to see popular British singer David Whitfield's performance from this episode, or from the following week's episode as he is listed as a guest on both. David appeared 8 times on the Sullivan show, had several big hits in the '50's (especially the ethereal "Cara Mia" which he sang twice on the show but I've never seen), but has never been posted.
@garyvideocollection9222
I think David Whitfield's Cara Mia, is one of the greatest songs of all time! It reached #1 in the UK in 1954
@TomElvisSmith
@@garyvideocollection9222 I agree! David sang it twice on the Sullivan show, and going from newspaper reviews of the time, he created quite an impression and the first time, was given an ethereal type production number suiting the song. I hope someday they will post this!
@andytaylor5476
Great song-love Rosemary Clooney! (come on a my house)!
@muffs55mercury61
I love that song, too !
@robertbieniek9438
This song reminds me of my mother's house! Thank you for posting it!
@StephanieJeanne
So cute! I like her! That’s a great old tune!😊💜
@tj921able
Great video! TY for sharing this. I love this song! Many of my relatives have gone on to meet the Saints. God Bless You & stay safe.
@cindyduran4236
I grew to love her...in my old age. She was really good with what very she sang.
@rylandgroves
Thank you so much for this upcoming fabulous clip of the wonderful girl singer, Rosemary Clooney. Keep more Rosie coming !