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
Moonglow
Ruby Braff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It must have been moonglow that led me straight to you
I still hear you sayin', "Dear one, hold me fast"
And I keep on prayin', "Oh Lord, please let this last"
We seemed to float right through the air
Heavenly songs seemed to come from everywhere
I'll always remember, that moonglow gave me you
It must have been moonglow, way up in the blue
It must have been moonglow that led me straight to you
I still hear you sayin', "Sweet child, hold me fast"
And I keep on prayin', "Oh Lord, please let this last"
We seemed to float right through the air
Heavenly songs seemed to come from everywhere
And now when there's moonglow, way up in the blue
I'll always remember, that moonglow gave me you
In Ruby Braff's song "Moonglow," the lyrics describe a powerful and magical connection between two people, symbolized by the presence of "moonglow." The song suggests that it was this enchanting celestial light that brought the singer and their loved one together. The first verse implies that the moonglow guided the singer directly to their significant other, and they still vividly remember their loved one's plea to hold them tightly and their own earnest prayer for their love to endure.
The second verse continues to describe the ethereal experience they shared. They felt as if they were floating through the air, and heavenly songs seemed to surround them from every direction. The moonglow becomes a source of precious memories and a reminder of the profound connection and love they found.
Overall, "Moonglow" is a romantic and nostalgic song that beautifully captures the allure of finding love beneath a moonlit sky. The lyrics paint a picture of an otherworldly, almost spiritual encounter, emphasizing the power of the moonglow to bring two souls together.
Line by Line Meaning
It must have been moonglow, way up in the blue
The ethereal beauty of the moon's glow, high above in the vast sky, was surely the guiding force that led me straight to you.
It must have been moonglow that led me straight to you
The mesmerizing radiance of the moon's glow was undoubtedly responsible for directing me towards your presence and bringing us together.
I still hear you sayin', "Dear one, hold me fast"
Even now, the echoes of your endearing voice uttering affectionate words like 'Beloved, embrace me tightly' linger within me.
And I keep on prayin', "Oh Lord, please let this last"
Continuously, I plead to the divine, 'Oh Almighty, may this blissful connection endure and withstand the test of time.'
We seemed to float right through the air
As if weightless, we appeared to glide effortlessly through the atmosphere, bound by an enchanting enchantment.
Heavenly songs seemed to come from everywhere
Melodies of celestial origin appeared to emanate from all directions, filling the environment with a divine symphony.
And now when there's moonglow, way up in the blue
In the present, whenever the moon's luminous glow illuminates the heavens, I will always recall that it was moonglow that gifted me the fortune of your presence.
I'll always remember, that moonglow gave me you
Indefinitely, I will hold in my heart the profound realization that it was the ethereal moonglow that bestowed upon me the precious gift of your companionship.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Eddie Delange, Irving Mills, Will Hudson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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