The Lady Is A Tramp
Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics
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As I hitched and hiked and grifted too, from Maine to Albuquerque
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball, and what is twice as sad
I was never at a party where they honored Noel Ca-ad
But social circles spin too fast for me
My "hobohemia" is the place to be
I get too hungry, for dinner at eight
I never bother, with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I don't like crap games, with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the free, fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's OK
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
I go to Coney, the beach is divine
I go to ballgames, the bleachers are fine
I follow Winchell, and read every line
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like a prizefight, that isn't a fake
I love the rowing, on Central Park lake
I go to Opera and stay wide awake
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the green grass under my shoes
What can I lose, I'm flat, that's that
I'm alone when I lower my lamp
That's why the lady is a tramp
The lyrics to Ella Fitzgerald's song "The Lady Is A Tramp" convey a sense of independence and non-conformity. The singer takes pride in her bohemian lifestyle, not conforming to social expectations or societal norms. She has experienced various adventures, from hitchhiking to grifting, and has dined on humble Mulligan Stew instead of fancy meals. She expresses a lack of interest in high society events, such as the Beaux Arts Ball, or parties honoring famous figures like Noel Ca-ad.
The lady in the song finds social circles to be overwhelming and spinning too fast for her. Instead, she finds comfort in her own "hobohemia," a term that suggests a community of like-minded individuals who reject conventional lifestyles. She embraces her uniqueness and refuses to conform to societal expectations.
The lyrics also depict the lady's preferences and dislikes. She hunger for dinner at eight and enjoys the theater, but she cannot stand people she dislikes, indicating her disdain for insincerity or pretentiousness. She doesn't participate in crap games with the elite or indulge in gossip. Instead, she celebrates her freedom, cherishing the fresh wind in her hair and a life without care. She declares her dislike for California, finding it cold and damp, while preferring the excitement of Coney Island and the bleachers at ballgames. She enjoys reading gossip columns by Winchell and has a range of interests from prizefights to rowing and opera. She appreciates the simple pleasures in life and feels comfortable being her authentic self, even if society may label her as a tramp.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Lady Is A Tramp" celebrate individuality, rejecting societal expectations, and finding joy in unconventional experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
I've wined and dined on Mulligan Stew, and never wished for Turkey
I have indulged in simple pleasures and never desired extravagance
As I hitched and hiked and grifted too, from Maine to Albuquerque
I have traveled and wandered freely, exploring different places
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball, and what is twice as sad
Unfortunately, I couldn't attend the glamorous Beaux Arts Ball, which was a double disappointment
I was never at a party where they honored Noel Ca-ad
I have never been to a party that paid tribute to the esteemed Noel Ca-ad
But social circles spin too fast for me
However, the fast-paced nature of high society is not for me
My 'hobohemia' is the place to be
I prefer the company of fellow bohemians in my unconventional lifestyle
I get too hungry, for dinner at eight
I have a strong desire for timely meals, not waiting until later in the evening
I like the theater, but never come late
I enjoy the theater, but always arrive on time
I never bother, with people I hate
I choose not to associate with individuals I dislike
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is the reason I am seen as unconventional and independent
I don't like crap games, with barons and earls
I don't enjoy gambling with the wealthy elite
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
I refuse to visit Harlem dressed in extravagant fur and jewelry
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
I won't engage in gossiping like other women
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is why I am considered a nonconformist
I like the free, fresh wind in my hair
I enjoy the liberating feeling of the wind in my hair
Life without care
Living without worries or burdens
I'm broke, it's OK
I may be financially struggling, but I am content with it
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
I dislike California due to its chilly and damp weather
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is why I embody the essence of a nonconformist
I go to Coney, the beach is divine
I enjoy visiting Coney Island, as the beach there is magnificent
I go to ballgames, the bleachers are fine
Attending ballgames and sitting in the bleachers brings me joy
I follow Winchell, and read every line
I keep up with the celebrity gossip and read every column by Winchell
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is why I embrace my nonconformist nature
I like a prizefight, that isn't a fake
I enjoy genuine prizefights that are not staged or scripted
I love the rowing, on Central Park lake
I take pleasure in watching rowing on Central Park lake
I go to Opera and stay wide awake
Attending the opera keeps me attentive and engaged
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is why my unconventional lifestyle suits me
I like the green grass under my shoes
I find comfort and joy in walking on grassy terrain
What can I lose, I'm flat, that's that
I have nothing to lose, as I am financially struggling and content with it
I'm alone when I lower my lamp
I live a solitary life, often spending time by myself
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is why I embody the spirit of a nonconformist
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kimia8885
I've wined and dined on Mulligan Stew, and never wished for Turkey
As I hitched and hiked and grifted too, from Maine to Albuquerque
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball, and what is twice as sad
I was never at a party where they honored Noel Ca-ad (Coward)
But social circles spin too fast for me
My "hobohemia" is the place to be
I get too hungry, for dinner at eight
I like the theater, but never come late
I never bother, with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I don't like crap games, with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the free, fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's o'k
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
I go to Coney, the beach is divine
I go to ballgames, the bleachers are fine
I follow Winchell, and read every line
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like a prizefight, that isn't a fake
I love the rowing, on Central Park lake
I go to Opera and stay wide awake
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the green grass under my shoes
What can I lose, I'm flat, that's that
I'm alone when I lower my lamp
That's why the lady is a tramp
@smallbusinessfinancewithkayla
I just love, love, LOVE the way she sings "The beach is divine" and "And read every line"
If done wrong, this song could easily get repetitive, but she expertly sings this with such variety.
@edotyelloh1657
Good catch!!! I caught that too. The entire song is so elegantly delivered.
@alee571
The best female Singer ever lived.
@robertlamb1962
...... Billie Holiday!!!!!
@ilovefrowning-9696
For sure ☺️
@niklaslachmann1038
Sarah
@haddadthemaestro2856
Yep, all of them.
@jamesryan6008
The best version of this song ever. Absolutely perfect.
@michellekirwan-woods7623
As if I couldn't love Ella even more. Sorry, Frank. This is my favorite version now. ❤
@gwynenglishnielsen8596
Today, I'll be covering this tune at a nursing home. It is always heartrending to see so many in the audience who remember the words. I will have to channel Ella just to convey the words just right. Thanks for being an inspiration, Ms. Fitzgerald.