Rollins was born in New York City to parents from the United States Virgin Islands. The youngest of three siblings, he grew up in central Harlem and on Sugar Hill, receiving his first alto saxophone at the age of seven or eight. He attended Edward W. Stitt Junior High School and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in East Harlem. Rollins started as a pianist, changed to alto saxophone, and finally switched to tenor in 1946. During his high school years, he played in a band with other future jazz legends Jackie McLean, Kenny Drew, and Art Taylor.
As a saxophonist he had initially been attracted to the jump and R&B sounds of performers like Louis Jordan, but soon became drawn into the mainstream tenor saxophone tradition. The German critic Joachim Berendt described this tradition as sitting between the two poles of the strong sonority of Coleman Hawkins and the light flexible phrasing of Lester Young, which did so much to inspire the fleet improvisation of bebop in the 1950s. Other tenor saxophone influences include Ben Webster and Don Byas. By his mid-teens, Rollins became heavily influenced by alto saxophonist Charlie Parker. During his high school years, he was mentored by the pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, often rehearsing at Monk's apartment.
Rollins has played, at various times, a Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone and a Buescher Aristocrat. During the 1970s he recorded on soprano saxophone for the album Easy Living. His preferred mouthpieces are made by Otto Link and Berg Larsen. He uses Frederick Hemke medium reeds.
Dearly Beloved
Sonny Rollins Lyrics
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I was meant for you, you were meant for me.
Dearly beloved, how clearly I see,
Somewhere in Heaven you were fashioned for me,
Angel eyes knew you, angel voices led me to you;
Nothing could save me, fate gave me a sign;
I know that I'll be yours come shower or shine;
These lyrics represent a sense of undeniable destiny and fate that the singer feels towards their beloved. The opening lines are a plea for confirmation that their love is mutual and meant to be. The repetition of the phrase "meant for you" emphasizes the idea that their love is predestined, beyond mere coincidence or chance. The singer sees their connection as divinely appointed, with the use of "somewhere in Heaven" suggesting a higher power at work. The mention of "angel eyes" and "angel voices" adds to the heavenly imagery and reinforces the idea of destiny.
The lines "nothing could save me, fate gave me a sign" convey the singer's belief that their love was always meant to happen, and that it was outside of their control. They are resigned to the fact that they will be with their beloved "come shower or shine," no matter the circumstances. The phrase "dearly beloved be mine" ties back to the religious imagery used earlier, as it is often used in wedding ceremonies.
Overall, these lyrics express an unwavering belief in fate and destiny when it comes to love. They portray a sense of inevitability and a deep connection that cannot be denied.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me that it's true, tell me you agree,
Confirm that my belief is valid, acknowledge that we are destined for each other.
I was meant for you, you were meant for me.
The universe had a plan, we are meant to be together.
Dearly beloved, how clearly I see,
My feelings for you are crystal clear and deep, you are precious to me.
Somewhere in Heaven you were fashioned for me,
Our destiny was predetermined, we were created for each other before we were even born.
Angel eyes knew you, angel voices led me to you;
Divine beings have played a role in bringing us together, guiding us towards each other.
Nothing could save me, fate gave me a sign;
I was helpless against the force of fate that brought us together, it was beyond my control.
I know that I'll be yours come shower or shine;
I am committed to you, regardless of any obstacles or challenges that may come our way.
So I say merely, dearly beloved be mine.
I express my love and desire for you and ask that you become mine forever.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEROME KERN, JOHN H. MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind