The lady
101 Strings Orchestra Lyrics


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Listen to my tale of woe,
It's terribly sad but true,
All dressed up, no place to go
Each evening I'm awfully blue.

I must win some handsome guy
Can't go on like this,
I could blossom out I know,
With somebody just like you. So

Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Oh, lady, be good to me
I am so awfully misunderstood
So lady, be good to me
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all-alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.

Oh, please have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,




So lady be good to me.
Oh lady be good to me.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Lady in 2-3 paint the picture of a woman who is looking for love, but unfortunately, she is constantly let down. The singer of the song tells us that she's all dressed up each night, but has nowhere to go. She's sad and longing for someone to fill the emptiness she feels. In the second verse, she expresses that she needs to find that special someone who sees the potential in her and brings out her best qualities.


The chorus of the song is a plea to the mythical lady that the singer is addressing. She asks for the lady to Be Good to her, and to have some pity on her because she's all alone in the big city. She feels like she's a "lonesome babe in the wood" and needs someone to take care of her. The final plea is for the lady to be good to her and help her navigate the harsh reality of life in the city.


The Lady in 2-3 was originally written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1924 musical Lady Be Good. It has since become a popular jazz standard and has been recorded by many artists. The version by the 101 Strings Orchestra is a classic rendition, and one that brings to life the emotions of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

Listen to my tale of woe,
Please hear about my sad story,


It's terribly sad but true,
This is genuinely heartbreaking and real,


All dressed up, no place to go
I am ready for a good time but have nowhere to go,


Each evening I'm awfully blue.
Every night I feel extremely sad,


I must win some handsome guy
I need to find a good-looking man to be happy,


Can't go on like this,
I cannot continue living this way,


I could blossom out I know,
I have so much potential to be happy,


With somebody just like you. So
I believe being with someone like you will make me happy.


Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Please, kind and beautiful woman, treat me well,


Oh, lady, be good to me
Please be good to me, dear lady,


I am so awfully misunderstood
No one truly understands me,


So lady, be good to me
I implore you to be kind to me,


Oh, please have some pity
I am begging for your mercy,


I'm all alone in this big city
I am lonely in this huge metropolis,


I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
I am like a lost child, wandering alone in the forest,


So lady be good to me.
I ask you to please treat me well and with compassion. Thank you, lady.


Oh lady be good to me.
I repeat my plea for you to be kind to me, dear lady.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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