Does the jazz standard "Lament" by J.J. Johnson have lyrics? My Google searches have turned up empty.
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1It sure sounds like "Lament" should have lyrics, since it's in such a clear ballad style. Still, like you, my extensive online searches turn up no mention of lyrics, not even in this one blogger's particularly thorough discussion of the song's mechanics: wallacebass.com/?p=1916. I suggest that's evidence that the song didn't have published lyrics, but it's certainly not proof. Maybe someone needs to write some lyrics after the fact?– mlibbyDec 5, 2015 at 19:27
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4 Answers
If you are asking if J.J. Johnson himself wrote lyrics on Lament, I would say no.
On this first release of the standard, in the Jay & Kay album in 1955, there is no lyrics, and no credited singer :
Baritone Saxophone – Leo Parker (tracks: A5)
Bass – Al Lucas (tracks: A5), Charlie Mingus* (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B4), Eddie Safranski (tracks: B5)
Drums – Kenny Clarke (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B4), Shadow Wilson (tracks: A5), Tiny Kahn (tracks: B5)
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B4)
Guitar – Billy Bauer (tracks: A2 to A4, B4)
Liner Notes – Jack McKinney
Piano – Hank Jones (tracks: A5), Lou Stein (tracks: B5), Wally Cirillo (tracks: A1, B1 to B3)
Supervised By – Ozzie Cadena (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B4)
Trombone – J. J. Johnson* (tracks: A1 to B4), Kai Winding (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B5)
The same year, Hazel Scott covers the song on the piano (Hazel Scott - Lament), but doesn't sing on it, even she's a reputed singer.
Also, I didn't find any covers with vocals.
Jon Hendricks wrote lyrics, "Lambert, Hendricks and Ross"
Mark Murphy on "Song for the Geese." My absolute favourite.
This is a version of the tune with lyrics sung nicely by Bev Kelly; I'll try to find out who wrote them and get back here with the gen.
