From New Orleans, they were classically trained and switched over to jazz as they grew up along with the form. First recorded in 1925, they went on to play vaudeville and ended up on radio in California. After being heard coast to coast on one of the first nationwide radio hookups, they became stars of radio in NYC headlining both their own programs, as well as working on shows with Bing Crosby and The Mills Brothers until the trio disbanded in 1936, mainly due to their marriages. They also appeared in many films of the time. (See youtube)
Connie Boswell, who later changed the spelling of her name to Connee, continued as a solo singer after the demise of the group, influencing singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. She did all this despite being unable to walk alone due to childhood polio and other back injuries.
"There is only one person I ever tried to sing like and that person was Connee Boswell."
Ella Fitzgerald, NBC News interview
"Connee Boswell is, without a doubt, the most widely imitated singer of all time."
Frank Sinatra
The best website on them is www.bozzies.com.
www.TheBoswellSisters.com
www.Facebook.com/theboswellsisters
www.Twitter.com/thesistasdotcom
I Surrender Dear
The Boswell Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sworn enemy of love
Kept my lips from saying
Things I was thinking of.
But now my pride you've humbled,
I've cast it to the winds,
Broken, beaten, sick at heart
My confession begins.
We've played the game of stay away
But it cost more that I can pay.
Without you I can't make my way,
I surrender, dear.
I may seem proud, I may act gay,
It's just a pose, I'm not that way,
'Cause deep down in my heart I say
I surrender, dear.
Little mean things we were doing
Must have been part of the game,
Lending a spice to the wooing,
But I don't care who's to blame.
When stars appear and shadows fall,
Why then you'll hear My poor heart call,
To you my love, my life, my all
I surrender, dear.
We've played the game of stay away
But it cost more that I can pay.
Without you I can't make my way,
I surrender, dear.
I may seem proud, I may act gay,
It's just a pose, I'm not that way,
'Cause deep down in my heart I say
I surrender, dear.
Little mean things we were doing
Must have been part of the game,
Lending a spice to the wooing,
But I don't care who's to blame.
When stars appear And shadows fall,
Why then you'll hear My poor heart call,
To you my love, my life, my all
The lyrics to "I Surrender Dear" by The Boswell Sisters explore themes of pride, love, and vulnerability. The singer begins by acknowledging that pride has acted as a deceptive force, preventing them from expressing their true feelings. However, this pride has now been shattered, leaving them broken-hearted and ready to confess their emotions. The song implies that the singer and their love interest have been playing a game of "stay away," perhaps attempting to show strength and independence. But the cost of this game has become too high, and without their love interest, they feel lost and unable to find their way. They surrender to their feelings, admitting that their pride was merely a facade. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and a willingness to put aside ego for the sake of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Pride, sad, splendid liar,
My pride, although seemingly impressive, has deceived me and brought sadness.
Sworn enemy of love
It is an adversary to love, preventing me from expressing my true feelings.
Kept my lips from saying
My pride restrained me from speaking the thoughts in my mind.
Things I was thinking of.
The thoughts that were occupying my mind.
But now my pride you've humbled,
However, my pride has been subdued and diminished.
I've cast it to the winds,
I have discarded it and let it be carried away by the wind.
Broken, beaten, sick at heart
Feeling shattered, defeated, and emotionally unwell.
My confession begins.
This is the beginning of my admission and confession of love.
We've played the game of stay away
We have engaged in the act of trying to keep our distance from each other.
But it cost more that I can pay.
However, the price of staying apart has become too high for me to bear.
Without you I can't make my way,
I am unable to find my path in life without you by my side.
I surrender, dear.
Therefore, I humbly and wholeheartedly surrender myself to you, my beloved.
I may seem proud, I may act gay,
Although I may appear confident and joyful on the surface,
It's just a pose, I'm not that way,
It is merely a façade, as it does not reflect my true emotions.
'Cause deep down in my heart I say
Because deep within my heart, I sincerely feel and express
I surrender, dear.
that I am surrendering myself to you, my dear.
Little mean things we were doing
The small and unkind actions we have engaged in
Must have been part of the game,
Were likely part of the elaborate dance we were performing,
Lending a spice to the wooing,
Adding an element of excitement and challenge to the act of courtship,
But I don't care who's to blame.
However, I no longer have any interest in assigning blame.
When stars appear and shadows fall,
In moments when the stars emerge and darkness envelops us,
Why then you'll hear My poor heart call,
That is when you will hear the desperate plea of my heart,
To you my love, my life, my all
Directed towards you, my beloved, who encompasses my love, my life, and everything.
I surrender, dear.
Thus, I surrender myself completely and unreservedly to you.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music
Written by: GORDON CLIFFORD, HARRY BARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Margaret Roy
This is GREAT!