Both Seals and Crofts were born in Texas. They first met when Crofts was a drummer for a local band. Later, Seals joined a band called Dean Beard and the Crew Cuts where he played guitar; later on Crofts joined the band. With Beard, they moved to Los Angeles to join The Champs. In 1958, Seals and Crofts toured with The Champs. After the success of their number one Latin rock instrumental hit "Tequila", the pair returned to Los Angeles to work as session musicians.
In 1962, Jimmy Seals, Dash Crofts, Glen Campbell, and Jerry Cole left The Champs to form a band named "Glen Campbell and the GCs" which played at The Crossbow in Van Nuys, CA. The band only lasted a couple of years before the members went their separate ways. Crofts returned to Texas and Seals joined a band named "The Dawnbreakers" (a reference to a book by the same name). Crofts eventually returned to California to join The Dawnbreakers. However, The Dawnbreakers turned out to be unsuccessful. Crofts married fellow Dawnbreaker Billie Lee Day in 1969, and both Seals and Crofts were introduced and converted to the Bahá'í Faith.
After the failure with The Dawnbreakers, the two decided to play as a duo, with Seals on guitar, saxophone and violin, and Crofts on guitar and mandolin. They signed a contract with Talent Associates and released two LPs, which were largely ignored. The pair signed a new contract with Warner Bros. Records in 1971. Their first album with their new label was also unsuccessful, but their second album, Summer Breeze charted at #7 in 1972.
After a long and successful run of recordings in the 1970s, the two lost their contract with Warner Brothers and set aside music for a while. They held a short reunion tour in 1991–1992 and appeared at several Bahá'í gatherings. Crofts lived in Mexico, Australia and then Nashville, playing country music and making occasional hit singles. Seals moved to Costa Rica and has lived on a coffee farm since 1980.
In 2003, Seals and Crofts reunited and recorded a new album, "Traces", for the first time since 1998. They toured during 2004–2005.
In the early 2000s up to 2008, Seals embarked on various tours with his brother Dan ("England" Dan Seals, of England Dan & John Ford Coley), billing themselves as Seals & Seals.
In December 2010, the bandmates' daughters Juliet (Seals) Crossley and Amelia (Crofts) Dailey, along with Genevieve (Bogan) Dozier, daughter of Seals and Crofts engineer Joey Bogan, formed a musical trio called The Humming Birds. They released their self titled EP The Humming Birds in September 2012.
In 2018, Brady Seals (Jim's cousin) and Lua Crofts (Dash's daughter) began touring as Seals and Crofts 2, performing the catalog of Seals and Crofts, as well as some new music.
Hummingbird
Seals & Crofts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heavenly songbird, we were so wrong. We've harmed you.
Oh hummingbird, lend us your wings. Let us soar in the atmosphere of Abha.
Lift us up to the heaven of holiness, oh source of our being, oh hummingbird.
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
In you I've found a fragrance. I'll love you 'til I die.
I just love you, love you, love you. I don't even know the reason why.
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
I just love you, love you, love you. I don't even know the reason why. Now,
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
Haven't you noticed the days somehow keep getting longer?
And the spirit voices whisper in us all.
Haven't you noticed the rays? The spirit sun in stronger
And a new day is dawning for us all.
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
The draught of understanding; wisdom, peace and love is ours.
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
The song "Hummingbird" by Seals & Crofts is a beautiful ode to the tiny and graceful bird that symbolizes virtue and is associated with beauty and love. The song begins with a regretful note for the harm that has been done to the hummingbird by mankind. However, the singer seeks forgiveness from the hummingbird and asks it to lend its wings and take him to the heaven of holiness. The singer expresses his deep love for the hummingbird and the sweet fragrance it emanates. The chorus repeatedly urges the hummingbird not to fly away and stay with the singer.
The song progresses to a more hopeful and optimistic tone as the singer notices the days getting longer and the spirit voices whispering in everyone. The spirit sun gets stronger and a new day dawns for everyone. The singer realizes that the draught of understanding, wisdom, peace, and love is all theirs. The song ends with the chorus repeating the refrain to not let the hummingbird fly away.
Overall, the song is a beautiful celebration of nature, love, and spirituality. It urges listeners to appreciate the beauty around them and connect with their inner selves to find peace and harmony.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh hummingbird, mankind was waiting for you to come flying along.
Humanity has been longing for a guide, a savior of sorts to lead them to the right path.
Heavenly songbird, we were so wrong. We've harmed you.
We have made mistakes and caused harm to something pure and good.
Oh hummingbird, lend us your wings. Let us soar in the atmosphere of Abha.
Please guide us and show us the way towards a higher level of spirituality and consciousness.
Lift us up to the heaven of holiness, oh source of our being, oh hummingbird.
We yearn to be lifted towards a sacred realm which is the root of our existence, and hope to be guided by a divine force symbolized by the hummingbird.
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
Please don't leave us alone in this journey towards a better life.
In you I've found a fragrance. I'll love you 'til I die.
You have captivated me, your essence is sweet, and I will love you eternally.
I just love you, love you, love you. I don't even know the reason why.
My love for you is inexplicable and beyond rational understanding.
The sweetness of your nectar has drawn me like a fly.
Your goodness and purity has attracted me and has become a magnet that draws me towards you.
Haven't you noticed the days somehow keep getting longer?
Time seems to be moving slower, emphasizing the need to focus on the present moment and appreciate life.
And the spirit voices whisper in us all.
There are subtle messages and signs from a higher power that communicate with us constantly.
Haven't you noticed the rays? The spirit sun in stronger.
The intensity of divine awareness is increasing and shining brighter.
And a new day is dawning for us all.
A new beginning is on the horizon for all of us, hopefully leading towards positive change and growth.
The draught of understanding; wisdom, peace and love is ours.
We have been gifted with the ability to understand, gain wisdom, find peace, and love unconditionally.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DARRELL G. CROFTS, JIMMY SEALS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
merc cadoosis
Oh hummingbird
Mankind was waiting for you to come flying along
Heavenly songbird
We were so wrong we've harmed you
Oh hummingbird
Lend us your wings
Let us soar
In the atmosphere of Abha
Lift us up
To the heaven of holiness
Oh source of our being
Oh humming... bird
Hummingbird don't fly away fly away
Hummingbird don't fly away fly away
In you I've found a fragrance
I'll love 'til I die
I just love you love you love you
I don't even know the reason why
Now
Hummingbird don't fly away fly away
Hummingbird don't fly away fly away
The sweetness of your nectar
Has drawn me like a fly
I just love you love you love you
I don't even know the reason why
Now
Hummingbird don't fly away fly away
Hummingbird don't fly away fly away
Haven't you noticed the days?
Somehow keep getting…
Beautiful song!
While the song is a reference to Bahai faith, it has even greater meaning to me since I am descended of the Taíno tribe who views the hummingbird as sacred: https://tinyurl.com/y2xpug7x
Phyllis Petras
A practice in iambic pentameter. For all of you with love:
A hummingbird in flight forgot the words
So hummed her way along from flower to flower
In company of mostly tuneful birds
As she collected nectar by the hour
She hummed from daisy, pinks and daffodil
Delphinium, cowslip, hyacinth and rose
She longed to be meandering or still
But kept on humming longing for repose
Spring's watercolor day turned into night
The stars came out and dragged the moon along
The hummingbird then rested from her flight
And dreamed she sang the words of Life's own song
A hummingbird who hummed in daylight hours
Sang arias in dreams; the words were flowers
Marsha Creary
Oh hummingbird, mankind was waiting for you to come flying along
Heavenly songbird, we were so wrong. We've harmed you
Oh hummingbird, lend us your wings. Let us soar in the atmosphere of Abha
Lift us up to the heaven of holiness, oh source of our being, oh hummingbird
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away
In you I've found a fragrance. I'll love you 'til I die
I just love you, love you, love you. I don't even know the reason why
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away
The sweetness of your nectar has drawn me like a fly
I just love you, love you, love you. I don't even know the reason why. Now
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away
Haven't you noticed the days somehow keep getting longer?
And the spirit voices WHISPER in us all
Haven't you noticed the rays? The spirit sun in stronger
And a new day is dawning on us all
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away
*
Alas, here comes the "Gardener"; he's come to till the flowers
*
The draught of understanding; wisdom, peace and love is ours
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away
David schimmel
I am now 49 and I remember hearing this song when I was a very small child and it made me cry. I hear it now and I appreciate it as beautiful piece of music and see the deeper meaning of the lyrics and music. Music is an art form that leaves a lasting impression that should be enjoyed by us all.
Michael Schwartz
EXACTLY!
Robin's Nest
I'm so obsessed with hummingbirds and when this song came out, I was about 10 years old. I immediately fell in love with it! I love hummingbirds and I don't even know the reason why! This is why I relate to this beautiful song...I have an extensive hummingbird collection...Seals & Crofts best song ever!!!
Paul Shugrue
It still makes me cry!
Margaret Jefton
stop. a. let. it. get. away ***(- - - - 💜💚💛
karrel talilisen
@Margaret Jefton i love it
Peter Senior
RIP Jim Seals. Your and Dash Crofts music will always live in our hearts. You were a genius lyricist and gave us so many wonderful songs. I still have most of your songs on my pc. Like a Summer Breeze, you made us all feel fine when your music came blowing gently through our minds. The first time I heard about the Baha'i Faith with its wonderful message of unity which the world needs more now than ever was in your music. You were a great musician and left an inspiring legacy. You will never "pass this way again" but your legacy endures.
"Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind."
Lori Lucht
Could not have said it better. Very well said. RIP Mr Seals, heaven has a vocal angel now along with a hell of a band!
MaloPiloto
Well said, Peter and Lori. Well said…..
wendy lecker
i love your comment.