Beloved singer-songwriter and guitarist James Taylor, 68, was recently honored for his contributions to American culture at the Kennedy Center Honors. During the span of his career, which kicked off in the mid-1960’s, he has netted five Grammy Awards and has sold more than 100 million albums globally.
During the ceremony, versatile musician Darius Rucker performed two of Taylor’s signature songs “Sweet Baby James” and “Carolina in My Mind.” Enjoy the moving moment below!
A beaming James Taylor clearly approved of Rucker’s rendition of his work and gave him a standing ovation. The 1970 tune “Sweet Baby James” strikes the perfect balance between a traditional cowboy song and a soothing lullaby, check out the full lyrics below.
“Sweet Baby James” Lyrics
There is a young cowboy, he lives on the range
His horse and his cattle are his only companions
He works in the saddle and sleeps in the canyons
Waiting for summer, his pastures to change
And as the moon rises he sits by his fire
Thinking about women and glasses of beer
And closing his eyes as the doggies retire
He sings out a song which is soft but it’s clear
As if maybe someone could hear
Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose
Won’t you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby James
Now the first of December was covered with snow
So was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston
The Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting
With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go
There’s a song that they sing when they take to the highway
A song that they sing when they take to the sea
A song that they sing of their home in the sky
Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep
But singing works just fine for me
So goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose
Won’t you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby James
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