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Bob Nolan

Tumbling Leaves: What the Title Can Mean

“Tumbling Leaves” can mean leaves turning as they fall, Bob Nolan’s original poem title, or unrelated music, knitting and textile designs.

By ThatPainter Team 2 min read
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“Tumbling Leaves” does not point to one clearly established subject. It can describe leaves twisting as they fall, name Bob Nolan’s original poem behind the western song “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” or refer to unrelated music, knitting and home-textile designs. The right meaning depends on where you encountered the title.

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What does “tumbling leaves” mean?

In ordinary language, “tumbling leaves” suggests leaves turning or twisting as they fall. A 2017 WordReference forum discussion asks whether the phrase means leaves falling from a tree and considers the line “The trees glittered with the tumbling of leaves.” Contributors interpret “tumbling” as the leaves changing orientation during their fall; this is a conversational interpretation, not a formal dictionary ruling. It describes motion, not a condition such as crispness.

Is “Tumbling Leaves” the original title of “Tumbling Tumbleweeds”?

Yes. In an essay hosted by the Library of Congress, Nolen W. Berry says Bob Nolan first wrote the work as a poem titled Tumbling Leaves, then changed “leaves” to “tumbleweeds” and set the words to his composition. Berry was a former Sons of the Pioneers business manager; the Library notes that the essay’s views are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the institution.

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Berry writes: “The song’s vocal harmonies developed by Nolan, Slye and Spencer were first recorded by Sons of the Pioneers and released by Decca Records in Los Angeles on August 8, 1934.” Berry’s essay also records that the song entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002 and that the recording was added to the National Recording Registry in 2010.

Read Nolen W. Berry’s essay on the Library of Congress website.

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Other works and products titled “Tumbling Leaves”

The exact title is used for several unrelated things. These are separate works and products, not different versions of Nolan’s song.

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Title match What it refers to Details established by the source
Michele Bernstein’s Tumbling Leaves A crescent shawl knitting pattern The Ravelry listing describes a top-down shawl with leaf and eyelet stripes and an Old Shale lace edge. It specifies two coordinating skeins of light fingering yarn, each 100 g / 460 yards. See the Ravelry pattern listing.
G P & J Baker Tumbling Leaves Wallpaper and fabric designs in the Opera Garden collection The manufacturer lists wallpaper colorways Green (PP50342.3), Linen (PW78011.2) and Green (PW78011.3), and fabric colorways Aqua (PP50342.1) and Red (PP50342.2). The codes identify listed designs; the pages do not establish current stock, price, dimensions or material composition. Wallpaper listing; fabric listing.
Wyn & Tin’s Tumbling Leaves A separate song The Birdhouse Center for the Arts page says it was written on an autumn walk home from school with the writers’ children and describes a melody influenced by Bronwyn’s years attending and performing with The Revels. Read the Birdhouse Center for the Arts page.

How to identify the “Tumbling Leaves” you mean

  • If the context mentions Bob Nolan, the Sons of the Pioneers or western music, it likely concerns the poem that became “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.”
  • If it mentions yarn, lace or a crescent shawl, it refers to Michele Bernstein’s knitting pattern.
  • If it mentions Opera Garden, wallpaper or fabric, it refers to G P & J Baker’s home-textile designs.
  • If it mentions Wyn & Tin or The Revels, it refers to the separate song listed by the Birdhouse Center for the Arts.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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