Lyrics
I’m trav’lin’ light
Because my man has gone
So from now on
I’m trav’lin’ light
He said goodbye
And took my heart away
So from today
I’m trav’lin’ light
No one to see
I’m free as the breeze
No one but me
And my memories
Some lucky night
He may come back again
So until then
I’m trav’lin’ light
No one to see
I’m free as the breeze
No one but me
And my memories
Some lucky night
He may come back again
So until then
I’m trav’lin’ light
Song Notes
“Trav’lin’ Light” is a 1942 song composed by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. In 1942, with vocals by Billie Holiday, Paul Whiteman hit number one on the Harlem Hit Parade charts for three non-consecutive weeks. The song also hit the pop charts at number 23 for one week. The Paul Whiteman release lists Billie Holiday as “Lady Day”.
In 1958 she would sing the song on French T.V. with such an arresting beauty and command that it’s hard to believe she would leave this earth only 9 months later. The clip is hard to find online. It’s the one where you can hear her earrings clinking as she tilts her head in that inimitable way. Billie forever!
–Wikipedia