Rockin' Chair
Ruby Braff & Scott Hamilton Lyrics

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Old rockin' chair's got me, my cane by my side
Fetch me that gin, son, 'fore I tan your hide
Can't get from this cabin, goin' nowhere
Just set me here grabbin' at the flies round this rockin' chair

My dear old aunt Harriet, in Heaven she be
Send me sweet chariot, for the end of the trouble I see
Old rockin' chair gets it, Judgement Day is here

Chained to my rockin' chair

Old rockin' chair's got me, son, (Rocking chair got you, father)
My cane by my side, (Yes, your cane by your side)
Now fetch me a little gin, son (Ain't got no gin, father)
What? 'fore I tan your hide, now, (You're gonna tan my hide)

You know, I can't get from this old cabin (What cabin? joking)
I ain't goin' nowhere (Why ain't you goin' nowhere?)
Just sittin' me here grabbin' (Grabbin')
At the flies round this old rockin' chair (Rockin' chair)

Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet, (Aunt Harriet)
How long in Heaven she be? (She's up in Heaven)
Send me down, send me down sweet (Sweet chariot) chariot
End of this trouble I see (I see, Daddy)

Old rockin' chair gets it, son (Rocking chair get it, father)

Judgement Day is here, too (Your Judgement Day is here)
Chained to my rockin', old rockin' chair

Overall Meaning

The song "Rockin' Chair" tells the story of an old man who is stuck in his cabin, sitting in his rocking chair, unable to move or go anywhere. He asks his son to bring him some gin, but the son refuses, and the old man threatens to "tan his hide." The old man reminisces about his Aunt Harriet, who is now in heaven and asks for her to send him a sweet chariot to take him away from his troubles. He feels his judgment day is near and laments the fact that he is chained to his rocking chair.

The song reflects the feelings of loneliness, regret, and resignation towards the end of one's life. It is a reflection of the human condition wherein we may feel helpless and stuck, unable to do anything to change our situation. The old man's reliance on alcohol to get through his days is a common coping mechanism for many people facing difficult situations.

The interplay of the harmonica, trumpet, and saxophone in the instrumental parts of the song, along with the vocal delivery, lends a somber tone to the piece. It invokes a sense of melancholy that is perfectly suited to the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Old rockin' chair's got me, son,
The rocking chair has a strong hold on me, son,

My cane by my side,
My cane is always by my side,

Now fetch me a little gin, son
Get me some gin, son,

What? 'fore I tan your hide, now,
What? Before I punish you, now,

You know, I can't get from this old cabin
I am unable to leave this cabin,

I ain't goin' nowhere
I have no intention of going anywhere,

Just sittin' me here grabbin'
I'm sitting here just swatting at the flies,

At the flies round this old rockin' chair
Swatting at the flies that circle around this old rocking chair,

Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet,
Do you remember my dear old aunt Harriet?

How long in Heaven she be?
How long has she been in Heaven?

Send me down, send me down sweet chariot
Send me down, send me down a sweet chariot