Song for Duke
A Hero's Symphony: Unveiling the Profound Meaning in 'Song for Duke'
Lyrics
I didn't even know the man
I was unaware of Duke Ellington's personal life.
I didn't know the man himself
I didn't have a personal connection with Duke Ellington.
Even though his music filled my life
Even though I didn't know him, his music had a significant impact on my life.
As it has so many others
His music touched many lives besides mine.
I knew that he had died that week
I learned about his death in that particular week.
After fighting death a year or more
He battled with death for a year or more before succumbing.
But I had had a rule before
Previously, I had a rule against attending funerals.
That funerals were a waste of flowers
I believed funerals were not worth the expense of flowers.
But something said I had to go
Despite my rule, an inner feeling compelled me to attend.
To be a witness to his gift of love
To witness and honor his gift of love through music.
A man who never once gave up on life
Duke Ellington persisted in life and love until death claimed him.
Until death took him in his tracks
He remained resilient in the face of death.
The people stood around the church
A large crowd gathered around the church.
Ten thousand people there they say, or more
An estimated ten thousand people attended, representing diverse backgrounds.
Black and white, rich and poor
The attendees were from different races and socioeconomic statuses.
Together they were there to say farewell
They came together to bid farewell.
In New York City it had rained that day
It was rainy in New York City that day.
The streets were silver and the sky was gray
The outside environment contrasted with the uplifting music inside the church.
But in the church the music soared and sang
The music inside filled the church with a sense of brightness.
And seemed to fill the air with shining sun
The impact of the music was powerful, like a shining sun.
The man was a hero
Duke Ellington was regarded as a hero.
He played the music of our souls
His music resonated with the essence of our souls.
He knew that we all have in us
He understood that everyone possesses a place where beauty always grows.
A place where beauty always grows
Within each person lies a source of perpetual beauty.
Outside in the streets again
After leaving the church, people roamed the streets in the falling rain.
The people wandered through the falling rain
The crowd dispersed, waving hands, drying tears, and resuming their lives.
They waved their hands and dried their tears
Expressing emotions, they moved forward after the emotional farewell.
And turned to go about their lives again
Returning to their daily routines.
But none of us will be the same
The experience changed everyone who attended.
If we hear the things his music says
Duke Ellington's music conveyed messages that leave a lasting impact.
That loving is the gift of life
His music emphasized that love is a precious gift in life.
And making music was his way of love
Making music was his expression of love.
The man was a hero
Reiterating that Duke Ellington was a hero.
He played the music of our souls
His music continued to resonate with the essence of our souls.
He knew that we all have in us
He recognized the inherent beauty within each individual.
A place where beauty always grows
There is a place within us where beauty perpetually thrives.
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