Rockin' Chair

Mildred Bailey, Teddy Wilson

About Rockin' Chair

"Rockin' Chair" is a 1929 popular song with lyrics and music composed by Hoagy Carmichael. Musically it is unconventional, as after the B section when most popular songs return to A, this song has an A-B-C-A1 structure. Carmichael recorded the song in 1929, 1930, and 1956. Mildred Bailey made it famous by using it as her theme song. The song was first recorded on February 19, 1929 by Hoagy Carmichael as a test for Victor Records, but not released at the time. This recording was later released on the Historical label as HLA-37. This version is sung by only one vocalist. Hoagy Carmichael and his Orchestra recorded a new version on May 21, 1930 featuring Bix Beiderbecke on cornet. This second version is with two vocalists (Carmichael and Irving Brodsky) and was released on Victor Records as V-38139B. Louis Armstrong recorded it with Hoagy Carmichael on vocals on December 13, 1929 at Okeh studios after the stock market crashed, giving a badly needed boost to Carmichael's finances. The recording was released as Okeh 8756 in 1930 and became popular in 1932. The song utilises "call and response" to create a dialog between an aged father and his son. Armstrong performed "Rockin' Chair" numerous times in his career with his trombonist Jack Teagarden. Mildred Bailey first recorded the song on August 18, 1932 for Bluebird Records (catalog No. 6945), and later for Vocalion Records (catalog No. 3553). The latter recording was a hit in 1937. She became known as The Rockin' Chair Lady. Other popular versions in 1932 were by The Mills Brothers, and by Louis Armstrong with Hoagy Carmichael. 


Year:
1990
4:37
135 
#3

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Old rockin' chair's got me
(Old rocking chair got you, father)
Cane by my side
(Your cane by your side)

Fetch me that gin, son
(I ain't got no gin, father)
'Fore I tan your hide
(You're gonna tan my hide)

Can't get from this cabin
(Cabin, joking follow)
Ain't go nowhere
(You ain't goin' nowhere?)

Just sittin' me here grabbin'
(Grabbin' )
At the flies 'round my rockin' chair
(Rockin' chair)

Old dear aunt Harriet
(Aunt Harriet)
How long to Heaven she be?
(Heaven she be)

Send me a sweet chariot
(Oh chariot)
For the end of the trouble I see
(My sweet Cherie)

Old rockin' chair gets it
(Rocking chair get it, father)
Judgment Day is almost here
(Judgment Day is here)

Chained to my old
(Sing it pop, sing it)
Rockin' chair
[Incomprehensible]

Old rocking chair got you, father
(Yes, indeed, yes indeed, yes indeed, you got it)
And your cane by your side
(Can't get around no more)

But I ain't got no gin, father
(Well, that's all the sadness)
Oh, you gonna tan my hide, tan my hide
(Yeah, yeah get it)

You can't get from this cabin
(Man, I don't wanna go nowhere)
Oh no, father, but you ain't goin' nowhere
(Aha, aha)

You sittin' here grabbin', you grabbin', you grabbin'
(Grabbin', grabbin')
The flies 'round the old rockin' chair, rockin' chair

My dear old, aunt Harriet
(Yes son, how long to heaven she be?)
May up in heaven she be
(Yeah, you don't like that)

Oh chariot, oh chariot, chariot, chariot, chariot
(Yeah I got your ride, I got your ride, got every chariot)
Once again in the time of trouble, I've seen
(Yeah, nobody knows the trouble I've seen)

Old rockin' chair get it, rockin' chair get it
(Old rockin' chair get it)
And Judgment Day, oh, Judgment Day
(Judgment)
You sittin' here chained to your rockin' chair

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Mildred Bailey

Mildred Rinker Bailey (February 27, 1907 – December 12, 1951) was a popular and influential American jazz singer during the 1930s, known as "The Queen of Swing", "The Rockin' Chair Lady" and "Mrs. Swing". Some of her best known hits are "It's So Peaceful in the Country", "Trust In Me", "Where Are You", "I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart", "Small Fry", "Please Be Kind", "Darn That Dream", "Rockin' Chair", "Blame It On My Last Affair", and "Says My Heart". more »

0 fans

Written by: Robbie Robertson

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Song Origin and Writer
"Rockin' Chair" is a famous song written by American composer and songwriter, Hoagy Carmichael.
Performances
The song has been performed by many famed artists, including Jack Teagarden, Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey, and The Mills Brothers.
Hoagy Carmichael
Hoagy Carmichael originally wrote "Rockin' Chair" in 1929. It is considered one of his most significant works.
Lyrics Theme
The song's lyrics contain a conversation between an old man and "old rockin' chair," depicting the passing of time and the inevitability of age.
Louis Armstrong
In 1929, the legendary jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong recorded a famous version of "Rockin' Chair." His unique voice and trumpet playing gave a distinct flavor to the song.
Jack Teagarden
Jack Teagarden, a jazz trombonist and singer, is also known for his rendition of "Rockin' Chair." He and Louis Armstrong performed a notable duet version of the song that has often been cited as one of the greatest examples of New Orleans Jazz style.
Mildred Bailey
Mildred Bailey, an American jazz singer, gave a unique interpretation to "Rockin' Chair" with her version recorded in the 1930s.
The Mills Brothers
The Mills Brothers, an American jazz and pop vocal quartet, popularized the song even further when they performed their rendition of "Rockin' Chair" in the 1930s.
Song Legacy
Through the years, "Rockin' Chair" has been covered by numerous artists in a variety of music genres, testifying to its enduring popularity and influence.

Discuss the Rockin' Chair Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Rockin' Chair Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/907284/Mildred+Bailey/Rockin%27+Chair>.

    Missing lyrics by Mildred Bailey?

    Know any other songs by Mildred Bailey? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Rockin' Chair

    35
    1     0

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    In which year did David Bowie die?
    A 2014
    B 2015
    C 2016
    D 2013

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Mildred Bailey tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!