Jimmy Giuffre is a great example of a musician’s musician – one that is loved by fellow musicians and revered by generations to follow. What I love so much about him: his phrasing, his tone, the subtlety of his dynamics, the interplay he was capable of, his compositions, too, and his very personal style.
May be my favourite composition of his is Princess. And this is such a beautiful rendition of it, live in Rome, 1959. He sure was into it.
Here are my words for the song…
Princess
music by Jimmy Giuffre / words by Susanne Abbuehl
Sing where the wild winds blow
Dance where the trees grow
Love all your days with might
Dream facing dark night
Reign over shadows
Sail storms
Shine within sorrow
Strive on
Bloom where the bees are few
Swim where the stream’s new
Dare as if there’s no care
Sway in the thin air
Song is the queen to rule me
Dance is the king to keep me