Mr Music Master
Time-Traveling Jazz Wisdom: Mr. Music Master's Musical Prophecy
Lyrics
One night long ago by the light of the moon
Setting the scene of a night in the past illuminated by the moon.
An old music master sat composing a tune
An elderly music master is composing a musical piece.
His spirit was soaring and his heart full of joy
The music master is elated, filled with joy and inspiration.
When right out of nowhere stepped
Unexpectedly, a young colored boy appears.
A little colored boy
Introduction of a character - a little colored boy.
You gotta jump it, music master
The boy advises the music master to play faster and jump to catch the rhythm.
You gotta play that rhythm faster
Encouragement to accelerate the tempo for success.
You're never gonna get it played
Warning that the current approach won't make it to the Hit Parade.
On the Happy Cat Hit Parade
Specifically, the Happy Cat Hit Parade is mentioned.
You better tell your friend Beethoven
Suggesting that even famous composers like Beethoven should adopt this approach.
And Mister Reginald De Koven
Extending the suggestion to another composer, Reginald De Koven.
They better do the same as you
The consequences of not adapting to the new style - being considered outdated or old-fashioned.
Or they're gonna be corny too
A collective need for famous composers to change their style or become outdated.
Long about 1917
A reference to the year 1917, a significant time in the emergence of jazz.
Jazz'll come upon the scene
The arrival of jazz on the music scene.
Then about 1935
A jump to the year 1935 and the introduction of swing music.
You'll begin to hear swing
The evolution of music into boogie woogie and jive.
Boogie woogie and jive
Continuation of the evolving music styles.
You gotta show that big broadcaster
Encouraging the music master to prove himself to a major broadcaster.
That you're a solid music master
The reward for proving oneself is achieving posterity, a lasting legacy.
And you'll achieve posterity
Advice from the little boy to the music master.
That's a bit of advice from me
The boy's perspective is offered as guidance.
The old music master
A return to the perspective of the old music master.
Simply sat there amazed
The music master is amazed by the advice.
As wide-eyed and open-mouthed
The master is captivated, wide-eyed, and open-mouthed in response.
He gazed and he gazed
The master continues to be in awe and wonder.
How can you be certain little boy
The master seeks certainty from the boy.
Tell me how?
A question regarding how the boy can be so sure of his predictions.
Because I was born, my friend
The boy asserts his certainty due to being born a hundred years in the future.
A hundred years from now
Explanation of the boy's unique perspective on future events.
He hit a chord that rocked the spinet
The master plays a chord that resonates strongly and has a profound impact.
And disappeared into the infinite
The master's disappearance into the infinite after the impactful chord.
And up until the present day
A statement about events occurring up until the present day.
You can take it from me
An affirmation that everything has unfolded as predicted.
He's as right as can be
Confirmation of the master's correctness in adopting the advice.
Ev'rything has happened that-a-way
A concluding statement affirming that everything has happened as foreseen.
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