He And She
Wynton Marsalis Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(What cause country bluesmen to claim
a man and a woman is a dangerous game)
Every schoolboy knows 1 plus 1 equals 2
and boys know less than girls do

A man forgets what the boy knew,
remembers what he's used to 'til you
crashed a cacophonous procession of cruel, hard fun,
shook my remembering with a blinding glance

(What songs do mystic bluesmen sing
'bout memory being more powerful than
the real, real thing)
Here - There the sun
O! the moon
the sun the moon and you, only you

You are Northern Lights searing the midnight
skies with
sassy splashes of unruly satin

I see only you.

My heart is a swallow swooping down to taunt the arrogant, lovestruck coward who dares
approach you disguised as a man

(What passions could cosmic bluesmen blame
if a man too scared to ask a woman her name)

You are the razor rim of some sudden primal chasm
best broached boldly
(if at all)
Well,
I will ride the rim bare
(if need be)
because I seek only you,
you and only you.

Once I saw the setting sun facing the red, red moon 'cross the big, big sky
made small by them looking so hard at each other
(so hard)
much, much majesty
waiting and watching . . . (waiting and watching)
it was Everything and Nothing all at once
The sun and the moon
O! the impassive sky
1 plus 1 equals 2
like you and me before becoming we.
Then that glorious sun was gone . . .

There the moon
O! the midnight sky
the moon, the desolate sky
and the road
Only the road and what has passed
or is passed by

(What tales do wily bluesman weave
'bout a man and a woman when that
woman leave)
Every schoolboy knows
1 plus 0 plus 1
'cept if you're the one gone like me remembering me without you.
1 plus 0 equals 0

A man forgets what
the boy knew
for true.
'Til you halted an awkward parade of
silly grownup games and stone-cold jolly
with the devastating presentness of yes.
Jumpstart my sputtering heart

I RIDES THE RIM

The barest breeze brings you on the wind
reminds me of first things:
first day of school
first crush
first slow dance
first kiss
first time you let me know what it feels like to be you

(What madness makes mocking bluesmen rhyme a man and a woman for another last time)
You remember you told me I said something I didn't say or mean to say that you thought meant something about you and me but it wasn't true that I said it or that you had even heard what I actually did say or really mean to say at all?

You and me together,
Us going through things and coming out on the
other side
still together
That's what I was saying that you misunderstood, baby.
1 plus 1 equals 3
you, me, and you and me

(What folly do sophic bluesmen find
when a man think he know a woman mind)
Then she: you're the one misunderstood.
I was talking about Everything and Nothing,
Baby.
no you - no me
1 plus 1 equals 1
us plus us equals us

Then he: 1 plus 1 equals 1, Damn!
I bet there's not a schoolboy in the whole world knows that.

Girls.
They born knowing all kinds of stuff a man ain't never even gon' ever learn.

Here - There the sun,
O! the moon
the sun and the moon
the sun, the moon, and the big, big sky
O! the moon the midnight sky, and the road
only the road and what
has passed
or is passed by.
Truly Nothing . . .
and Everything

All the tears the pious have wept 'bout a man gone and a
woman kept
All the wrongs the
righteous assail
'bout a two-timing woman and a man in jail
All the songs country bluesmen sing
'bout ever-lovin' love and
a one-night fling.
'bout how a woman can take more'n a man can ever bring

Oh yes!
a man and a woman's a dangerous thing.

a train,




a banjo,
and a chicken wing.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "He And She" explore the complexities and dynamics of a romantic relationship between a man and a woman. The opening lines question why country bluesmen often view love as a dangerous game, implying that the unpredictable nature of a relationship can lead to pain and heartache. The lyrics suggest that while boys may have a simplistic understanding of relationships, girls possess a deeper knowledge.


The song continues to describe the intensity of the connection between the man and the woman. The woman, compared to the Northern Lights, is portrayed as a captivating and unpredictable force, leaving the man completely enamored. The man's heart is described as a swallow, symbolizing his willingness to face any challenge in order to be with her. The lyrics suggest that the passion between them is palpable, heightening the stakes of their relationship.


The song then transitions to a scene of the setting sun and the red moon reflecting on the big sky. This moment of beauty and grandeur symbolizes the magnificence of love and its ability to consume one's world. However, just as the sun sets, the song takes a somber turn, emphasizing the desolation that follows the end of a relationship. The moon, sky, and road represent the emptiness and loneliness that accompany the absence of the woman.


As the lyrics progress, they further explore the impact of the woman's departure. The man is haunted by memories of their time together and the ways in which she disrupted his life, ultimately leaving him questioning everything he thought he knew. However, her presence and the joy she brought into his life also left a lasting impact, reminding him of the importance of their connection.


In the final section of the song, the lyrics showcase a dialogue between the man and woman, revealing a misunderstanding between them. They argue about the meaning behind their words and intentions, highlighting the challenges of communication and misinterpretation within a relationship. Eventually, they come to a realization of their shared understanding and unity, acknowledging that their union is greater than the sum of its parts. The song concludes by emphasizing the foolishness and folly of assuming one can fully comprehend the mind of their partner.


Overall, "He And She" delves into the complexities, challenges, and misunderstandings that can arise within a romantic relationship. Through its vivid imagery and poignant lyrics, the song aims to provide a profound exploration of the dynamic between a man and a woman.


Line by Line Meaning

(What cause country bluesmen to claim a man and a woman is a dangerous game)
Country bluesmen believe that the dynamic between a man and a woman can be risky and unpredictable.


Every schoolboy knows 1 plus 1 equals 2 and boys know less than girls do
Generally, society recognizes that one plus one equals two, but it's often the case that boys have less knowledge than girls.


A man forgets what the boy knew, remembers what he's used to 'til you crashed a cacophonous procession of cruel, hard fun, shook my remembering with a blinding glance
As a man grows up, he may forget the wisdom he once possessed as a boy. However, when you entered his life, you disrupted his routine of enjoying rowdy and unkind activities, making him remember what true happiness feels like.


(What songs do mystic bluesmen sing 'bout memory being more powerful than the real, real thing)
Mystic bluesmen often sing about how memories can hold more significance and impact than the actual experiences or things themselves.


Here - There the sun O! the moon the sun the moon and you, only you
In this vast universe, with the sun and the moon present, you are the most essential and significant presence to me.


You are Northern Lights searing the midnight skies with sassy splashes of unruly satin
You are like the stunning Northern Lights, illuminating the dark night sky with vibrant and rebellious beauty.


I see only you.
My focus and attention are solely dedicated to you. You are my entire world.


My heart is a swallow swooping down to taunt the arrogant, lovestruck coward who dares approach you disguised as a man
My heart is comparable to a graceful bird, swiftly descending to challenge and mock any conceited man who tries to win your affection by pretending to be someone he's not.


(What passions could cosmic bluesmen blame if a man too scared to ask a woman her name)
Cosmic bluesmen would express deep disappointment if a man is too afraid to even gather the courage to ask a woman for her name, as they believe he should pursue his desires with passion.


You are the razor rim of some sudden primal chasm best broached boldly (if at all) Well, I will ride the rim bare (if need be) because I seek only you, you and only you.
You possess the intense and unpredictable nature of a sharp-edged precipice, which should be approached with bravery, or perhaps not approached at all. Nevertheless, I am ready to face this challenge, even if it means taking risks, because all I desire is you and nothing else.


Once I saw the setting sun facing the red, red moon 'cross the big, big sky made small by them looking so hard at each other (so hard) much, much majesty waiting and watching . . . (waiting and watching) it was Everything and Nothing all at once The sun and the moon O! the impassive sky 1 plus 1 equals 2 like you and me before becoming we. Then that glorious sun was gone . . .
Once, I witnessed the enchanting sight of the sun and the moon gazing intently at each other against the vast sky, creating a sense of immense grandeur. It felt like an amalgamation of everything and nothing simultaneously, where the sun and the moon represented two separate entities coming together. However, this beautiful sun eventually disappeared, changing the dynamics between us.


There the moon O! the midnight sky the moon, the desolate sky and the road Only the road and what has passed or is passed by
Now, all that remains is the moon, the lonely midnight sky, and the road. The road symbolizes the passage of time and the things that have either happened or have been left behind.


(What tales do wily bluesman weave 'bout a man and a woman when that woman leave)
Cunning bluesmen often tell stories about the aftermath of a man and a woman's relationship when the woman decides to leave.


Every schoolboy knows 1 plus 0 plus 1 'cept if you're the one gone like me remembering me without you. 1 plus 0 equals 0
It's commonly understood that one plus zero plus one equals two, but when you're the one who has left, like me, reminiscing about who I used to be without you, the equation becomes one plus zero, which equals nothing.


A man forgets what the boy knew for true. 'Til you halted an awkward parade of silly grownup games and stone-cold jolly with the devastating presentness of yes. Jumpstart my sputtering heart
As a man grows older, he often forgets the wisdom he had as a young boy. However, when you came into his life, you disrupted the monotonous and frivolous activities that adults normally engage in, replacing them with the profound power of saying 'yes'. This reignited his faltering heart and revitalized his spirit.


I RIDES THE RIM
I take on the challenge fearlessly and without hesitation.


The barest breeze brings you on the wind reminds me of first things: first day of school first crush first slow dance first kiss first time you let me know what it feels like to be you
Even the slightest breeze carries your presence and triggers memories of significant firsts in our relationship: the first day of school, the first crush, the first slow dance, the first kiss, and the first time you allowed me to experience what it's like to be in your shoes.


(What madness makes mocking bluesmen rhyme a man and a woman for another last time)
Mocking bluesmen adopt a sense of madness as they sing about the reunion of a man and a woman for one final encounter.


You remember you told me I said something I didn't say or mean to say that you thought meant something about you and me but it wasn't true that I said it or that you had even heard what I actually did say or really mean to say at all?
Do you recall the incident when you accused me of saying something that I never actually said or intended to say? It seemed to imply something about our relationship, but the truth is, I never uttered those words, and you misinterpreted everything I communicated.


You and me together, Us going through things and coming out on the other side still together That's what I was saying that you misunderstood, baby. 1 plus 1 equals 3 you, me, and you and me
When I said 'you and me together', it meant that we face life's challenges as a united force, triumphing even in difficult situations. Unfortunately, you misunderstood my intention, baby. In my perspective, one plus one equals three because it signifies the presence of both you and me, as well as our combined strength.


(What folly do sophic bluesmen find when a man think he know a woman mind)
Sophic bluesmen discover the foolishness when a man believes he understands the complexities of a woman's mind.


Then she: you're the one misunderstood. I was talking about Everything and Nothing, Baby. no you - no me 1 plus 1 equals 1 us plus us equals us
In response, she clarifies that it's actually him who misunderstands. Her intentions were to convey the concept of 'everything and nothing.' Without him, there wouldn't be her, and vice versa. In the equation of one plus one, the result is one, highlighting the inseparability of their union.


Then he: 1 plus 1 equals 1, Damn! I bet there's not a schoolboy in the whole world knows that.
Following her explanation, he exclaims, frustrated, that one plus one equals one. He jokingly mentions that not a single schoolboy worldwide would be aware of such an unconventional equation.


Girls. They born knowing all kinds of stuff a man ain't never even gon' ever learn.
Girls are inherently knowledgeable about various things that men can never comprehend or grasp.


Here - There the sun, O! the moon the sun and the moon the sun, the moon, and the big, big sky O! the moon the midnight sky, and the road only the road and what has passed or is passed by. Truly Nothing . . . and Everything
Within the vastness of the world, the sun and the moon symbolize different aspects of life. The sky, moonlight, and the road represent the journey and what lies in the past or remains ignored. Ultimately, this signifies that everything and nothing hold significance simultaneously.


All the tears the pious have wept 'bout a man gone and a woman kept All the wrongs the righteous assail 'bout a two-timing woman and a man in jail All the songs country bluesmen sing 'bout ever-lovin' love and a one-night fling. 'bout how a woman can take more'n a man can ever bring
The pious shed tears over the departure of a man and the enduring presence of a woman. The righteous condemn a deceitful woman and a man who is incarcerated. Country bluesmen sing songs about everlasting love as well as brief encounters. They explore the notion that a woman can emotionally sustain herself more than a man can ever provide.


Oh yes! a man and a woman's a dangerous thing. a train, a banjo, and a chicken wing.
Undeniably, the relationship between a man and a woman can be risky. It's akin to having a train, a banjo, and a chicken wing โ€“ all unpredictable elements in their own ways.




Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Wynton Marsalis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Trumpeta7

I remember listening to this great master piece in my high schools days. Got me through some sleepless nights

Alfred B.

I love it, really inspiring music. Thanks for posting man!

Matthew Cannata

Great album

Marsha Creary

Writing Poems or Phrases and then coming across them later in a book, an album, a poem etc has become something I should probably get used to. The parallels in mind and spirit continue to amaze me

Hendra Ong

Wonderful...๐Ÿ˜
Happy feet.... Death of the jazz... Amazed me too...

Eason Fang

this is good stuff

Jack Johnson

@Bright sounds For Acid minds: Thank you for posting this! C'est un chef-d'oeuvre!

Bright sounds For Acid minds

Jack Johnson thanks for watching, and subscribe!

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Marsha Creary

Art imitates Life, Life Imitates Art

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