The Ames Brothers got their beginning in Malden, where all four were born. The act consisted of Joe (born 3 May 1921), Gene (born 13 February 1923), Vic (born 20 May 1925 - died 23 January 1978) and Ed (born 9 July 1927).
Born into a non-professional but musical family, the boys were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.
The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and had been touring United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops and were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. This one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around of their appearance. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. It was at this time that Joe decided to rejoin the group. He said they were just having too much fun together for him to miss out. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. One day while at Leeds Publishing Company in search of a song called "Should I" that their mother had asked them to sing, Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing it and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records just before the ban which started in January, 1948.
A year later when the ban was lifted, the Ames Brothers were the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. They were swept into national top billing with their first hit record, "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. Doing radio shows for free at times just for the experience, they later became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour. One of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.
Soon, they were the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.
Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched up 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
That Lucky Old Sun
The Ames Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Work like the devil for my pay
While that lucky old sun has got nothing to do
But roll around heaven all day
I fuss with my lover, toil for my kids
Sweat til I'm wrinkled and gray
While that lucky old sun has got nothing to do
Good Lord up above, can't you know I'm pining?
Tears all in my eyes
Send me a cloud with a silver lining
Lift me to paradise
Show me the river, take me across
Wash all my troubles away
Like that lucky old sun give me nothing to do
But roll around heaven all day
Lord up above, can't you know I'm pining?
Tears in my eyes
Send me a cloud with a silver lining
Lift me to paradise
Show me river, take me across
Wash all my troubles away
Like that lucky old sun give me nothing to do
But roll around heaven all day
Like that lucky old sun give me nothing to do
But just roll around heaven all day, day
"The Lucky Old Sun" is a song that reflects the frustration and longing of the singer who feels burdened by the responsibilities of everyday life while the sun, symbolizing carefree freedom, simply rolls around in heaven. The lyrics express the monotonous routine of the singer's life, waking up early and working hard for their pay, while the sun is idle and carefree. The singer's dedication to their loved ones, their struggle to provide for their family, and the toll it takes on their physical appearance are highlighted in contrast to the sun's leisurely existence. The plea to the Lord to alleviate their burdens and bring them solace is a recurring theme throughout the song, as they yearn for a respite from their toils and a glimpse of paradise.
The repeated refrain, "Like that lucky old sun give me nothing to do but roll around heaven all day," implies a desire for a carefree existence similar to that of the sun. The singer longs for a life of ease and freedom from worries, expressed through the imagery of rolling around in heaven. The song encompasses a sense of longing for a better life, a release from hardships, and a yearning for a peaceful existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Up in the morning, out on the job
I start my day early and go to work
Work like the devil for my pay
I work extremely hard to earn my wages
While that lucky old sun has got nothing to do
Meanwhile, the sun in the sky has no responsibilities
But roll around heaven all day
It leisurely moves across the sky with no worries
I fuss with my lover, toil for my kids
I argue with my partner and work tirelessly for my children
Sweat til I'm wrinkled and gray
I work so hard that it takes a toll on my physical appearance
Good Lord up above, can't you know I'm pining?
Oh, dear God, don't you understand how much I yearn for relief?
Tears all in my eyes
I cry constantly due to my struggles
Send me a cloud with a silver lining
Please provide me with some hope or positive outcome
Lift me to paradise
Take me to a blissful and worry-free place
Show me the river, take me across
Guide me to a peaceful river and transport me to the other side
Wash all my troubles away
Cleanse me of all my difficulties and burdens
Like that lucky old sun give me nothing to do
Similar to how the sun has no responsibilities, I want a break from my obligations
But roll around heaven all day
Just like the sun leisurely moves across the sky, I crave a life without worries or stress
Lord up above, can't you know I'm pining?
Oh, dear God, don't you understand how much I yearn for relief?
Tears in my eyes
I am constantly filled with sadness and despair
Send me a cloud with a silver lining
Please provide me with some hope or positive outcome
Lift me to paradise
Take me to a blissful and worry-free place
Show me river, take me across
Guide me to a peaceful river and transport me to the other side
Wash all my troubles away
Cleanse me of all my difficulties and burdens
Like that lucky old sun give me nothing to do
Similar to how the sun has no responsibilities, I want a break from my obligations
But just roll around heaven all day, day
Instead, I desire to live a carefree life, like the sun effortlessly moving across the sky in heaven all day long
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Beasley Smith, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind