: The song paints a vivid picture of a peaceful, prosperous summer in the American South, though it often serves as a bittersweet juxtaposition to the struggles of the characters in the opera. Popular Excerpt The lyrics typically follow this structure:
This specific version is widely considered the definitive jazz recording of the lullaby. It was released on their 1958 collaborative album, . ella_fitzgerald_louis_armstrong_summertime_with...
: It features Louis Armstrong’s haunting trumpet solos and a lush orchestral arrangement conducted by Russell Garcia. : The song paints a vivid picture of