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.
Time On My Hands
Sonny Rollins Lyrics
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The moon is my light of love
In the night, I am quite a romancer
I find an answer above
To being me consolation, you're my inspiration
This is my imagination.
Time on my hands, you in my arms
Once and for all, I'll see my dreams come true
Moments to spare for someone you care for
Our love affair for two
With time on my hands and you in my arms
And love in my heart all for you.
The lyrics of Sonny Rollins's "Time On My Hands" are a beautiful ode to love, imagination, and the concept of time. The opening lines, "When the day fades away into twilight, the moon is my light of love," convey a sense of quiet contemplation as the singer watches the day surrender to nightfall. As the moon emerges, it becomes a symbol of the transformative power of love and imagination, which can help us find answers to our most profound questions.
As the song progresses, the singer reveals that their lover is the source of their consolation and inspiration. In the context of the previous lines, this suggests that the lover is a guide, helping the singer navigate the mysterious terrain of their own imagination. The chorus is a gorgeous expression of the beauty of being in love -- the feeling that time itself seems to pause as two people embrace each other. The lines "Moments to spare for someone you care for, our love affair for two, with time on my hands and you in my arms, and love in my heart all for you" perfectly capture the sense of bliss and contentment that can arise when two people truly connect.
Ultimately, "Time On My Hands" is a lovely reminder that love can become a source of strength, comfort, and inspiration that transcends the boundaries of time and space. With its poignant lyrics and smooth, jazzy melody, this song is a true masterpiece.
Line by Line Meaning
When the day fades away into twilight
As the day ends and the sky darkens, I begin to feel romantic.
The moon is my light of love
The moonlight sets the romantic mood for me.
In the night, I am quite a romancer
At night, I feel even more romantic, and I express my love with intensity.
I find an answer above
I find solace and guidance from a higher power.
To being me consolation, you're my inspiration
You bring me comfort when I need it, and you inspire me to be even more loving.
This is my imagination.
This romantic feeling is my imagination and my way of expressing my deep affection for you.
Time on my hands, you in my arms
I have free time, and I want to spend it with you in my embrace.
Nothing but love in view, then you fall
We are surrounded by love, and we fall into each other's arms.
Once and for all, I'll see my dreams come true
Finally, my dreams of being with you will come true.
Moments to spare for someone you care for
I make time for the one I care for, and these moments are precious.
Our love affair for two
Our love is a private affair that exists just between the two of us.
With time on my hands and you in my arms
When I have free time, I want to spend it holding you.
And love in my heart all for you.
My heart is full of love, and it is all for you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Adamson, Mack Gordon, Vincent Youmans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind