Poetry Wednesday

By Judith

Let's look at another song lyric today. A lyric is a special kind of poem in that you can't help but say it rhythmically, even if you're just saying it in your head. Often, there's an artist or band that is most associated with a song and that's the way you hear it, despite what the lyricist and/or composer intended. In this case, it's probably ok if you hear Frank Sinatra when you read this lyric, for Sammy Cahn wrote the lyrics to many songs made famous by Sinatra and may have even taken his style into consideration when penning the words.

Teamed with composer Jimmy Van Heusen in the 50s and 60s, Sammy Cahn wrote some of the most beloved popular songs of the era, including "High Hopes," "Love and Marriage," and "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow." Sammy Cahn said of himself, "Lyric writing has always been a thrilling adventure for me, and something I've done with the kind of ease that only comes with joy!" Now there's someone who really enjoys his work.

This swingin' little number was a big hit for Old Blue Eyes and is known as one of his signature tunes. The lyric is structured so that the first, third and fourth lines of the verse rhyme, with a nice internal rhyme in the second and third lines. It gives it an up-beat and carefree feel that suits Sinatra beautifully.

Come Fly With Me

Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away
If you can use some exotic booze
There's a bar in far Bombay
Come fly with me, we'll fly, we'll fly away.

Come fly with me, let's float down to Peru.
In lama land, there's a one man band
And he'll toot his flute for you
Come fly with me, we'll float off in the blue.

Once I get you up there, where the air is rarefied
We'll just glide, starry eyed
Once I get you up there, Ill be holding you so near
You may hear angels cheer cause we're together.

Weather-wise it's such a lovely day
You just say the words and we'll beat the birds
Down to Acapulco Bay
It's perfect for a flying honeymoon they say
Come fly with me, we'll fly, we'll fly away.