Summertime

The song 'Summertime' performed by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong is a classic tune that has been covered by many artists over the years. Originally composed by George Gershwin for the opera 'Porgy and Bess,' the song is a lullaby sung by the character Clara to her baby. The lyrics evoke a sense of ease and abundance, painting a picture of a warm and bountiful season where the 'livin' is easy,' fish are leaping out of the water, and the cotton crops are thriving. The reference to the baby's 'daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'' suggests a world of privilege and comfort for the child.

The song's second verse shifts to a more aspirational tone, promising the baby that one day they will 'rise up singing' and achieve great things, symbolized by the act of spreading their wings and taking to the sky. This metaphor of flight represents freedom, hope, and the potential for a bright future. The comforting assurance that 'there's a nothin' can harm you' with parental protection provides a sense of security and love that is the essence of a lullaby.

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong's rendition of 'Summertime' is particularly notable for its soulful delivery and the unique blend of their voices. The song's enduring popularity can be attributed to its universal themes of peace, prosperity, and parental love, as well as its soothing melody. It's a song that transcends its origins in an opera to become a timeless anthem of comfort and hope.