Rockin' Chair
Ella Fitzgerald · Other Songs - Ella Fitzgerald
Fetch me that gin, son, 'fore I tan your hide
Can't get from this cabin, goin' nowhere
Just set me here grabbin' at the flies 'round this rockin' chair
My dear old aunt Harriet--in Heaven she be
Send me, sweet chariot, for the end of the trouble I see
Old rockin' chair gets it--Judgement Day is here
Chained to my rockin' chair
Old rockin' chair's got me, son, (rocking chair got you, father)
My cane by my side, (Yes, your cane by your side)
Now fetch me a little gin, son (ain't got no gin, father)
What? 'Fore I tan your hide, now, (you're gonna tan my hide)
You know I can't get from this old cabin (What cabin? Joking)
I ain't goin' nowhere (Why ain't you goin' nowhere?)
Just sittin' me here grabbin' (grabbin')
At the flies round this old rockin' chair (rockin' chair)
Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet (aunt Harriet)
How long in Heaven she be? (She's up in Heaven)
Send me down, send me down, sweet (sweet chariot) chariot
End of this trouble I see (I see, daddy)
Old rockin' chair gets it, son (rocking chair get it, father)
Judgement Day is here too (your Judgement Day is here)
Chained to my rockin', old rockin' chair
Rockin' Chair - Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of 'Rockin' Chair' exemplifies her mastery of swing and vocal improvisation, a hallmark of her career spanning the mid-20th century. As a pioneering jazz vocalist, Fitzgerald transformed the song into a showcase of her technical precision and emotional depth, utilizing her signature scat singing and intricate melodic phrasing to elevate a standard into a dynamic performance. The recording captures the essence of the bebop era, reflecting the collaborative spirit of her work with legendary musicians who pushed the boundaries of jazz expression. This track remains a testament to her ability to infuse complex musical structures with warmth and accessibility, cementing her legacy as one of the most influential singers in American music history.