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Jump, Little Children — Words of Wisdom
Album: Vertigo
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 670









Released: 2001
Length: 3:52
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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All my father's legacy is handed down on angel wings
A bittersweet melody is now mine to sing
Every precious memory
And broken-hearted tragedy
Will walk into eternity
But not fade away

If you will go and not return
Leave me some words of wisdom
If I cannot follow anymore
I promise to teach what I have learned
If you will go and not return

How do years so far away
So suddenly evaporate?
Fourtune smiles with teeth of jade
And the greediest eyesHow I long for that embrace
The strongest arms and troubled face
Smoky air and awkward grace
That made me feel safe

If you will go and not return
Leave me some words of wisdom
If I cannot follow anymore
I promise to teach what I have learned
If you will go and not return

Who was it that said to me
That heroes will live forever?
And where are they now
Now that I'm standing alone?

If you will go and not return
Leave me some words of wisdom
If I cannot follow anymore
I promise to teach what I have learned
If you will go and not return
Comments (73)add comment
Simply beautiful. 
Posted 2 months ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
Wish I knew about this song when my father passed, it would have been a great tribute to him. 
Posted 5 months ago by cinzia1026    [ Reply ]
Just found this in my playlist.  Utterly delightful with a lovely hook.  More please.
Posted 5 months ago by cbazinet    [ Reply ]
i love almost everything jump, little children does.

also, this is one of my favorite cover art.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:

There are times I really don't understand why a track made it to the playlist. This is one of those times. RP should all be about 'outstanding' - all of the time. Sorry, this is very average. . . 



Wouldn't the world be an awfully boring place if we all had the same musical taste?
Posted 2 years ago by carricknab    [ Reply ]
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:

There are times I really don't understand why a track made it to the playlist. This is one of those times. RP should all be about 'outstanding' - all of the time. Sorry, this is very average. . . 



Funny, I gave it a 9.  I wonder whose opinion is correct?
Posted 3 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
There are times I really don't understand why a track made it to the playlist. This is one of those times. RP should all be about 'outstanding' - all of the time. Sorry, this is very average. . . 
 
Because your average is someone else's outstanding.  Many 6-average songs here I rate much higher. 
Posted 4 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
There are times I really don't understand why a track made it to the playlist. This is one of those times. RP should all be about 'outstanding' - all of the time. Sorry, this is very average. . . 
Posted 13 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
I thought it was a cover of A case of you, before he began singing
Posted 13 years ago by paloeguevo    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

James Blunt has edge, innovation and attitude?

 
Sometimes irony doesn't cross the ocean as well as it should... :(

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]

Never really liked this band and I have seen them a couple of times at very festivals and what not.


Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
... from the soporific Nottingham jury {#Sleep}
 



 
Fred, you've never once put me to sleep.  


Posted 14 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
Like James Blunt. Without the edge or innovation or attitude. More than 3 notes in the vocals would be nice. Mute on, iTunes on. 2 from the soporific Nottingham jury {#Sleep}
 

To each his own, I guess. I'd take Jump over James Blunt any day of the week. James's voice doesn't hold a candle to Jay's. To me, Jay's voice compares pretty favorably to Jeff Buckley's (though I agree that the vocal range he has isn't very evident on this track). I'd recommend checking out other songs on this CD (especially "Angel Dust", "Mothers Eyes", and "Come Around"), if you're up for giving them another shot.

For those interested, this song was written as a tribute to the father of two of the band members, as he was dying of cancer. Very touching lyrics, especially when put into that context.

Who was it that said to me
That heroes will live forever?
Where are they now,
Now that I'm standing alone?

If you will go and not return,
Leave me some words of wisdom.
If I cannot follow where you go,
I'll promise to teach what I have heard.


Posted 14 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
Like James Blunt. Without the edge or innovation or attitude. More than 3 notes in the vocals would be nice. Mute on, iTunes on. 2 from the soporific Nottingham jury
 
James Blunt has edge, innovation and attitude?

Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Like James Blunt. Without the edge or innovation or attitude. More than 3 notes in the vocals would be nice. Mute on, iTunes on. 2 from the soporific Nottingham jury {#Sleep}
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
I thought this read "Jump Little Chikens" -  A way better name for a band
Posted 14 years ago by houston    [ Reply ]
 Danimal174 wrote:


Jay's voice, to me, has always sounded like a cross between Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright.

Absolutely great vocal range, and really something to see in concert, especially if you are able to catch one of his acoustic shows, where it's just him playing guitar and singing.
 
If only he'd have more shows!  I keep missing him.  It's bad enough that I discovered JLC after their end, so I'm dying to see Jay.

Posted 14 years ago by eruwenolorien    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
The singer sounds like an improved Rufus Wainwright — quirkly but enjoyable as opposed to annoying.
 
I am hearing The Fray, only with less emo.

Posted 14 years ago by lysisphere    [ Reply ]
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
My daughter turned me on to this band - thanks, Alex!

Having adult children is way more fun than I thought it would be.
 
Sure is, isn't it. My son and daughter are constantly turning me on to new bands. And then there's the phone call: "Hey dad, I've got an extra ticket to Flogging Molly. You busy on Tuesday?" Happens just enough to keep me guessing and rocking.

Then I dig through their CDs and scan their iPods, and find all the stuff that I played when they were growing up. Music cuts across the years.

Posted 15 years ago by CarlPDX    [ Reply ]
Not nearly as nasal as RW.

 meadowwoods wrote:

thought it was Rufus, too.
 


Posted 15 years ago by jomercer    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
The singer sounds like an improved Rufus Wainwright — quirkly but enjoyable as opposed to annoying.
 

Jay's voice, to me, has always sounded like a cross between Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright.

Absolutely great vocal range, and really something to see in concert, especially if you are able to catch one of his acoustic shows, where it's just him playing guitar and singing.
Posted 15 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
The singer sounds like an improved Rufus Wainwright — quirkly but enjoyable as opposed to annoying.
 
thought it was Rufus, too.


Posted 15 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
The singer sounds like an improved Rufus Wainwright — quirkly but enjoyable as opposed to annoying.
Posted 15 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
My daughter turned me on to this band - thanks, Alex!

Having adult children is way more fun than I thought it would be.
Posted 15 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]

For fans of this song & band...Jay Clifford (the lead singer of the, sadly, now defunct Jump, Little Children) now has a new solo CD out, called "Driving Blind". Zach Braff (of "Scrubs" and "Garden State" fame) recently directed a video for the first single, "Know When To Walk Away", which was also recently featured on "Grey's Anatomy".

Overall, the CD is very good. A little more radio-friendly than some of Jump's stuff (reminds me a lot of "Between The Dim & The Dark"). You can purchase it via his MySpace page, CD Baby, CD Universe, BuySwag, and Amazon.com (as mp3's only on Amazon). I'll be adding a few songs from this CD to the LRC page on RP, as I get free slots.


Posted 15 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
Very nice.
Posted 16 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
i love this band. both versions. and i love this cd cover...it was a good purchase.
Posted 16 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Very nice sound!  I'm susceptible to this kind of well made light pop.  More, please!
Posted 16 years ago by ROSSinDETROIT    [ Reply ]
I found out about this band right around the time they packed up. At least they left me some words of wisdom.
Posted 16 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite bands. Great, touching lyrics that were written in honor of the dad of two of the band members, who died of cancer.
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
sounds influenced by Janis Ian's song Seventeen...
Posted 16 years ago by p2h2d2    [ Reply ]
Tana wrote:
When you click on the album link, it says Little Children Jump rather than Jump Little Children.
In my experience they do.
Posted 16 years ago by kerr    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by hurrah    [ Reply ]
pescivendolo wrote:
It's fantastic. As is its predecessor, Magazine.
Just dusted off the old Licorice Tea Demos a couple weeks ago. Used to listen to that in high school on the way down to Charleston. Miss those days, and I miss seeing Jump down there or here in Columbia.
Posted 17 years ago by Stevo    [ Reply ]
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
Is this album any good?
It's fantastic. As is its predecessor, Magazine.
Posted 17 years ago by pescivendolo    [ Reply ]
Is this album any good?
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
When you click on the album link, it says Little Children Jump rather than Jump Little Children.
Posted 17 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Judd Bolger from Judd and Maggie
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
la-de-dah-de-dah-de-dah....
Posted 17 years ago by divinemadness    [ Reply ]
Jay Clifford has 10 times better voice than the guy from Fray and this band has 100 times the talent. electronicshaman wrote:
sounds like the guy from The Fray and just as uninspiring
Posted 17 years ago by wishlist    [ Reply ]
This is beautiful. Thanks for this.
Posted 17 years ago by zorrofox    [ Reply ]
Enjoyable, but not as strong as "Magazine"
Posted 17 years ago by oldsinger    [ Reply ]
sounds like the guy from The Fray and just as uninspiring
Posted 17 years ago by electronicshaman    [ Reply ]
wow, this sounds like one of the Wainwrights!
Posted 17 years ago by Hinkamp    [ Reply ]
This is just want I need to hear right now A song for every mood on RP!
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
*sigh* Such a lovely song and a wonderful band.
Posted 18 years ago by pescivendolo    [ Reply ]
Sadly, the band is no more.
Posted 18 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
at first it sounded like ron sexsmith
Posted 18 years ago by Augustus    [ Reply ]
Just added this CD to my ever growing collection (thanks RP). Great stuff!
Posted 18 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
Did I detect a skip in the song?
Posted 18 years ago by jeaster    [ Reply ]
Aaaaah, this thing happens to incoporate the same note sequence as the verses from James K. Polk by They Might Be Giants. Make it go away!
Posted 18 years ago by ampersand    [ Reply ]
Beautiful. I have ".. Dim and the Dark", but hadn;t heard this one before. What a voice. As Linda Richman says, " It's like Buttah' "
Posted 18 years ago by StevenQ    [ Reply ]
earthbased wrote:
Just like the way that guy sings...
I agree. Very enjoyable to listen to.
Posted 18 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
Just like the way that guy sings...
Posted 18 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:
6th snoozer in a row Go Bill!!!
STFU!! Oh wait, you're gone. Ha ha. Man, I can't tell ya how much I dig JLC/Jump. Excellent tune.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Please to play 'IN HERE'.
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Joyfulchristine wrote:
I wish I could put the lead singer into Henry Higgins' care for a few days. He really needs to learn to enunciate! Other than his annoying habit of singing with a mouthful of marbles, it's a pretty song.
funny. i love his lack of enunciation, for some weird reason. i usually don't like it, but this guy.. he makes my pants do strange things, sometimes. heh.
Posted 20 years ago by PattonFever    [ Reply ]
6th snoozer in a row Go Bill!!!
Posted 20 years ago by JokesandJokesandJokes    [ Reply ]
ah! i love jump! i also love exclamation points!
Posted 20 years ago by janeanger    [ Reply ]
This is one of my favorite Jump, Little Children songs. It's so moving and sweet and I wish more people could have heard it when it came out after 9/11. I think it would have been meaningful to so many who lost loved ones that day. See what you think they sound like now - 2004. A new album arrives April 20, 2004. For a preview, check out this tune. (click here) I think they sound like Jump. Just Jump. Nothing else. This album is going to be great.
Posted 20 years ago by vertigoviv    [ Reply ]
I hear Rufus Wainwright more than Jeff Buckley.
Posted 20 years ago by dgeiser13    [ Reply ]
Joyfulchristine wrote:
I wish I could put the lead singer into Henry Higgins' care for a few days. He really needs to learn to enunciate! Other than his annoying habit of singing with a mouthful of marbles, it's a pretty song.
in their early irish folk rock days, jay actually DID enunciate a lot, and that style really just doesn't suit his voice. he does better hitting notes for a long time and when he enunciates it just makes him sound choppy and doesn't do his voice justice.
Posted 20 years ago by christy    [ Reply ]
parkov wrote:
I saw these guys in concert a few years ago. They seemed more influenced by Jeff Buckley than Radiohead, if I recall correctly.
right on. i completely agree - i heard jeff buckley from the start. good song.
Posted 20 years ago by Miles    [ Reply ]
barclayM wrote:
I love this song- one of my favorites
exactly. i wish they'd play more jump, little childen.
Posted 21 years ago by christy    [ Reply ]
I saw these guys in concert a few years ago. They seemed more influenced by Jeff Buckley than Radiohead, if I recall correctly.
Posted 21 years ago by parkov    [ Reply ]
Very enjoyable. I like!
Posted 21 years ago by weepixel    [ Reply ]
I wish I could put the lead singer into Henry Higgins\' care for a few days. He really needs to learn to enunciate! Other than his annoying habit of singing with a mouthful of marbles, it\'s a pretty song.
Posted 21 years ago by Joyfulchristine    [ Reply ]
Mr. Soprano commented \"Radio Head ripoff\" I don\'t think that\'s rightly, though I recognize the connection. This band has got enough to convince on their own terms.
Posted 22 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
I absolutely love this song - and I had never even heard of this group before RP.
Posted 22 years ago by Nicole    [ Reply ]