Song for Duke

A Hero's Symphony: Unveiling the Profound Meaning in 'Song for Duke'
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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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