Braff was a wonderfully characterful and melodic player with an immediately identifiable sound and unique tone on the cornet, an uncommon instrument in post-war jazz. He style was fundamentally based on that of earlier players including Louis Armstrong, Bobby Hackett and Bunny Berigan but he transcended these influences to always sounds fresh, sparky and somehow modern.
He was born in Boston and began playing in local clubs in the 1940s. In 1949, he was hired to play with the Edmond Hall Orchestra. He relocated to New York in 1953 where he was much in demand for band dates and recordings.
He died February 10, 2003, in Chatham, Massachusetts.
"Sure, they’ve made statements about my supposedly combining a modern approach with a feeling for traditional forms. Well, people say all sorts of things, because they want to categorise and label. I’ve only ever had two labels. Either it’s good or it stinks." - Ruby Braff speaking in 1968
Blue Moon
Ruby Braff Lyrics
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Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold!
Blue moon!
Now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
In Ruby Braff's rendition of the classic song "Blue Moon," the lyrics depict a sense of longing and loneliness that is instantly relatable to anyone who has experienced unrequited love and a lack of fulfillment in their heart. The opening lines set the scene, with the singer standing alone under a blue moon, symbolizing a time of emotional vacancy and desolation. The reference to having "no dream in my heart" and "no love of my own" communicates the emptiness and longing felt by the singer.
However, the blue moon seems to have an understanding of the singer's situation, as it perceives his innermost desires and intentions. It recognizes that the singer is there seeking something meaningful, and it hears him saying a prayer for someone he genuinely cares about and can form a deep connection with. Suddenly, a person appears before the singer who seems to be the one destined for him, the only one his arms will ever hold.
As the encounter unfolds, the singer hears someone whispering, requesting to be adored. When the singer looks, the moon has transformed into gold, symbolizing the granting of his deepest desires and the possibility of a fulfilling love. The repetition of "Blue moon!" highlights the transformation (both literal and metaphorical) that has taken place. The singer is no longer alone, and his heart is no longer devoid of dreams or love.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue moon you saw me standing alone
The rare occurrence of a blue moon allowed me to be witnessed in my solitude.
Without a dream in my heart
I was devoid of any aspirations or hopes.
Without a love of my own
I lacked a genuine and reciprocated affection.
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
The celestial body understood my purpose and intentions.
You heard me saying a prayer for
You were attentive when I pleaded for
Someone I really could care for
The yearning of finding someone whom I could deeply cherish and love.
And then there suddenly appeared before me
In an unexpected twist, a person materialized in front of me.
The only one my arms will ever hold
The individual whom I will forever embrace, as no one else will replace them.
I heard somebody whisper 'Please adore me'
I caught a faint voice murmuring, pleading for affection towards them.
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold!
To my astonishment, the moon had transformed into a dazzling golden hue!
Blue moon!
The blue moon, an uncommon phenomenon!
Now I'm no longer alone
Presently, I am not plagued by solitude.
Without a dream in my heart
Free from the absence of aspirations within me.
Without a love of my own
No longer lacking an affectionate bond that is uniquely mine.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind