When day is done – Free Jazz Lead Sheet
Bb Major – 1924
About this song:
“when day is done” was composed by Robert Katscher, with English lyrics later provided by Gus Kahn. It dates from the late 1920s or early 1930s, and has since become a jazz and pop standard.
Early recordings include orchestral and big-band versions. Over decades, it has been recorded by vocalists and instrumentalists alike, including versions by Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles.
The lyrics reflect a plaintive farewell to daylight and a yearning for rest or reunion. Musically, it features a gently melancholic melody paired with rich, late‑romantic harmonies, making it well-suited for both ballad interpretations and jazz improvisation.
