Caravan
(Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol)
Caravan
by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol
“ Caravan ” is an American jazz standard that was composed by Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington and first performed by Ellington in 1936. Irving Mills wrote lyrics, but they are rarely sung. The exotic sound of “Caravan” interested exotica musicians; Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, and Gordon Jenkins all covered it. Woody Allen used the song in two of his films, Alice and Sweet and Lowdown. Steven Soderbergh used the Lyman version in his 2001 film Ocean’s Eleven. The song appears often in the 2014 film Whiplash as an important plot element. The Mills Brothers recorded an a cappella version in which they imitated instruments with their voices. Johnny Mathis recorded the song in 1956. More than 350 versions have been recorded.
Lyrics
Caravan
The mystery of their fading light
That shines upon our Caravan
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
Across the sands so I may keep
The memory of our Caravan
This is so exciting, you are so inviting
Resting in my arms
Thrill to the magic, the magic of your charms
You beside me here beneath the blue
My dream of love is coming true
Within our desert Caravan
This is so exciting, you are so inviting
Resting in my arms
Thrill to the magic, the magic of your charms
Night and stars above that shine so bright
The mystery of their fading light
That shines upon our Caravan
That shines upon our Caravan
Oooh
Songwriters: Duke Ellington / Juan Tizol / Irving Mills
