Honeysuckle Rose
Fats Waller Lyrics
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When they see you out with me
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
When you're passin' by flowers droop and sigh
And I know the reason why
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Don't buy sugar
You just have to touch my cup
You're my sugar
It's sweeter when you stir it up
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Seems the honey fairly drips
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Don't buy sugar
You just have to touch my cup
You're my sugar
It's sweeter when you stir it up
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Seems the honey fairly drips
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
The lyrics to Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle Rose" are a playful and flirtatious love song that compares the object of his affection to a sweet and fragrant flower, the honeysuckle rose. He sings that every honey bee (a symbol of desire) fills with jealousy when they see him with his lover. The singer is convinced that his lover is his honeysuckle rose, his one and only love. The imagery used is very vivid, as he describes how even flowers droop and sigh when she passes by, and how the honey from her lips drips with sweetness. The singer is completely captivated by his lover's charm and beauty.
The song's lyrics express a deep fondness and ardor for someone with whom the singer shares an intimate connection. The comparison to a honeysuckle rose is significant because honeysuckles are known for their sweet fragrance, and because roses are symbolic of love and beauty. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in love, and that his lover is the sweetest and most beautiful person in the world. It is a playful song, with the wordplay on "sugar" and "touch my cup" suggesting a deeper intimacy beyond just the external beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
Every honey bee fills with jealousy
Every bee is envious of your beauty and charm
When they see you out with me
When they see you with me, they become envious
Goodness knows
Truly
You're my honeysuckle rose
You're my sweet and lovely companion
When you're passin' by flowers droop and sigh
When you pass by, flowers wilt and sigh due to your mesmerizing presence
And I know the reason why
I know the reason for their reaction
Don't buy sugar
I don't need to buy sugar
You just have to touch my cup
Simply by touching my cup, you make everything sweeter
You're my sugar
You're my sweetest delight
It's sweeter when you stir it up
Everything becomes sweeter when you mix it up
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
When I'm kissing you
Seems the honey fairly drips
I can taste your sweetness as if it were honey dripping from your lips
Goodness knows
Truly
You're my honeysuckle rose
You're my sweet and lovely companion
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andy Razaf, Thomas Waller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SpencerMusicSchool
As a stride pianist myself.. nothing makes me more joyous they watching Papa Fats sing and play stride. So cheeky great fun. Love the eyebrows and his fun double entendres ..... Masterful
@thedarksage328
Fats Waller. Great piano player and superlative song writer. This man was a genius.
@bmhjohn
Andy Razaf-superlative song writer
@someonesomeone7423
@@bmhjohn Composing the tune is also songwriting
@petervenkman9838
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
@ronaldstrange8981
Loved Fats way back when, and now, aged 87, still do. Introduced my 23 year old grandson to "Your feet's too big" which produced a great laugh. Will always remember in particular "When somebody... which will go with me to my grave. Cheers to all Fats' fans. Keep on playing, and enjoying him. England, December, 2023.
@Mohagnito94
You can't simply watch Fats Waller without smiling.
@lindaregelean8015
Smilin' right now!
@jamesfeldman4234
I tried watching this without smiling and it worked for a little while. But then I broke out laughing.
@LeDiamondDog
😃