Out there
There's a world outside of Yonkers
Way out there beyond this hick town, Barnaby
There's a slick town, Barnaby
Out there
Full of shine and full of sparkle
Close your eyes and see it glisten, Barnaby
Listen, Barnaby

Put on your Sunday clothes, there's lots of world out there
Get out the brillantine and dime cigars
We're gonna find adventure in the evening air
Girls in white
In a perfumed night
Where the lights are bright as the stars

Put on your Sunday clothes, we're gonna ride through town
In one of those new horsedrawn open cars
We'll see the shows
At Delmonico's
And we'll close the town in a whirl
And we won't come home until we've kissed a girl

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Michael Crawford's "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" are a call to adventure, inviting the listener to expand their horizons and explore the world beyond their current surroundings. Barnaby, the song's protagonist, is urged to leave his small town and venture out into the slick, glamorous world beyond. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of what lies ahead - a world full of shine and sparkle, with bright lights and perfumed nights.

The song encourages the listener to dress up and be ready for anything. They're instructed to put on their Sunday clothes - attire that's more formal than their everyday wear - and get ready to explore. The opening verse specifically mentions girls in white and a perfumed night, setting the stage for a romantic evening out on the town.

The lyrics also make reference to specific places and activities that the listener might encounter on their adventure. Delmonico's, for example, was a famous restaurant in Manhattan that opened in the mid-19th century and was known for its high-end cuisine and luxurious atmosphere. The mention of horsedrawn open cars suggests a bygone era - this song was written for the 1969 musical Hello, Dolly!, which is set in the 1890s.

Overall, "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" is a song about escapism and the joy of exploring new things. It encourages the listener to break out of their routine and embrace the glamour and excitement of the wider world.

Line by Line Meaning

Out there
Beyond this place

There's a world outside of Yonkers
There's an expansive world beyond this small town

Way out there beyond this hick town, Barnaby
We are situated in small-town America, but there is more out there for us

There's a slick town, Barnaby
A city that's full of style and sophistication lies ahead

Full of shine and full of sparkle
The city is vibrant and colorful

Close your eyes and see it glisten, Barnaby
Imagine the possibilities of the city, let your mind run wild

Listen, Barnaby
Pay attention for I have a plan

Put on your Sunday clothes, there's lots of world out there
Dress up for the city, there is much of life to be discovered

Get out the brillantine and dime cigars
Get ready to look and feel your best and enjoy the finer things in life

We're gonna find adventure in the evening air
The city is full of excitement and surprises which we will explore at night

Girls in white
Women dressed in fine clothing

In a perfumed night
The city is fragrant in the evening

Where the lights are bright as the stars
The city is bright and lively with dazzling lights

Put on your Sunday clothes, we're gonna ride through town
We will parade through the city in style and fashion

In one of those new horsedrawn open cars
We will ride in a fashionable and luxurious open carriage

We'll see the shows
We will watch the performances

At Delmonico's
At a famous upscale restaurant

And we'll close the town in a whirl
We will leave a lasting impression on the city as we enjoy ourselves thoroughly

And we won't come home until we've kissed a girl
We will not return to our small town until we have experienced something romantic in the big city

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