You are the promised kiss of springtime

A true jazz standard, penned by Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) and Jerome Kern (music) in 1939 for the stage musical "Very Warm for May".

That makes the lonely winter seem long.

The musical was not a success, but All the Things You Are managed to become popular.

You are the breathless hush of evening

It was first brought to the top of the charts in 1940 by Tommy Dorsey1.

You are the promised kiss of springtime

Since then it has been recorded by a lot of great musicians, like Gerry Mulligan, Sonny Rollins, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Dizzie Gillespie, Chet Baker, The Modern Jazz Quartet and Frank Sinatra among others.

That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.

Personally I love the lyrics, which are exquisitely delicate and epitomizes a true love song.

You are the angel glow that lights a star. The dearest things I know are what you are.

On top of that the chord progression makes it a fantastic piece of music to improvise over.

One day my happy arms will hold you

Just taste these chords:

And someday I'll know that moment divine

Em7 Am7 D7 Gmaj7
Cmaj7 F#7 B7
Bm7 Em7 A7 Dmaj7
Gmaj C#m7-5 C#7 F#

G#m7 C#7 F#(maj7)
Cm7-5 Fm7 Bb Eb Gdim

Em7 Am7 D7 Gmaj7
Cmaj7 Cm7 G Bm7-5 E7
Am7 D7 Cdim G(maj7)

When all the things you are are mine.


1 Ereneta says: Jack Leonard was the vocalist for Tommy Dorsey's recording.