Lullaby of Birdland

By George Shearing & George David Weiss

1952

An anthem of the post-World War II be-bop era in jazz, this tune was written for the preeminent Times Square jazz club Birdland, named after legendary saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker. Shearing himself introduced it as the theme song of a radio show broadcast from there, and Sarah Vaughan was the first to record it with lyrics two years later. Recently, Amy Winehouse included a bit of the melody in her recording of "October Song".

Lyrics:

Lullaby of Birdland, that's what I

Always hear when you sigh.

Never in my woodland

Could there be words to reveal

In a phrase how I feel.

Have you ever heard two turtle doves

Bill and coo when they love?

That's the kind of magic

Music we make with our lips

When we kiss.

And there's a weepy ol' willow,

He really knows how to cry.

That's how I'd cry in my pillow,

If you should tell me farewell and goodbye.

Lullaby of Birdland, whisper low,

Kiss me sweet, and we'll go

Flyin' high in Birdland,

High in the sky up above,

All because we're in love.

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald

Dexter Gordon

Blossom Dearie (French version)

Count Basie

Bill Haley & His Comets