Acker Bilk (b. 1929) is an English clarinettist specialising in trad jazz a… Read Full Bio ↴Acker Bilk (b. 1929) is an English clarinettist specialising in trad jazz and popular music.

Born on 28th January 1929 in Pensford, Somerset, christened Bernard Stanley Bilk, he has been one of the world's best known clarinettists since the late 1950s. His trademark goatee, bowler hat, and striped waistcoat are almost as recognisable as his breathy, vibrato-rich, middle-register clarinet style. Although playing mainly jazz in Dixieland and trad styles, he became famous for his 1961 hit "Stranger on the Shore", with which he became mainly associated in the public mind.
sadly this delightful man died 2nd November 2014, aged 85. Will be missed.

Dinah
Acker Bilk Lyrics

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Carolina
Gave me Dinah;
I'm the proudest one
Beneath the Dixie sun.

News is spreadin'
'Bout our weddin';
I hear church bells ringin',

Here's the song my heart keeps singin':

Dinah,
Is there anyone finer
In the state of Carolina?
If there is and you know her,
Show her!

Dinah,
With her Dixie eyes blazin',
How I love to sit and gaze in
To the eyes of Dinah Lee!

Yet, every night,
My, how I shake with fright,
Because my Dinah might,
Change her mind about me!

But if Dinah,
Ever wandered to China,
I would hop an ocean liner,
Just to be with Dinah Lee!

Dinah,
Is there anyone finer
In the state of Carolina?
If there is and you know her,
Show her!

Dinah,
With her Dixie eyes blazin',
How I love to sit and gaze in
To the eyes of Dinah Lee!

Yet, every night,
My, how I shake with fright,
Because my Dinah might,
Change her mind about me!

But if Dinah,
Ever wandered to China,

I would hop an ocean!,
Just to be with Dinah Lee!

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Acker Bilk’s “Dinah” establishes the setting and context for the rest of the song. The opening line “Carolina gave me Dinah” creates a sense of gratitude towards the state for bringing him the love of his life. The subsequent line “I’m the proudest one beneath the Dixie sun” emphasizes his southern roots and pride in his heritage. The second verse describes the news of their impending wedding as it spreads throughout town. The church bells ringing signify the joy and significance of the occasion. The following lines “Here’s the song my heart keeps singin’: Dinah” emphasizes the centrality of Dinah in his thoughts and emotions.

The chorus of the song repeats the question “Dinah, is there anyone finer in the state of Carolina?” and the singer ultimately challenges anyone who knows someone finer to “show her.” This repetition creates a sense of conviction and devotion towards Dinah. The next set of lines “With her Dixie eyes blazin’, how I love to sit and gaze in to the eyes of Dinah Lee!” creates an image of intimacy between the singer and Dinah. The final verse expresses the singer’s concern that Dinah may change her mind about him or leave him. However, regardless of the situation, the singer proclaims that he will go to great lengths to be with Dinah, even if she wandered to China.

Line by Line Meaning

Carolina
The state where I met and fell in love with Dinah.

Gave me Dinah;
Brought the greatest gift into my life, my love, Dinah.

I'm the proudest one / Beneath the Dixie sun.
I am the luckiest man alive to have Dinah as my partner.

News is spreadin' / 'Bout our weddin';
People are talking about our upcoming wedding.

I hear church bells ringin', / Here's the song my heart keeps singin':
Wedding preparations are underway, and I cannot help but feel joyful and blessed.

Dinah, / Is there anyone finer / In the state of Carolina?
In my eyes, Dinah is the most beautiful and wonderful person in all of Carolina.

If there is and you know her, / Show her!
If there is someone better than Dinah, please point me in the right direction.

With her Dixie eyes blazin', / How I love to sit and gaze in / To the eyes of Dinah Lee!
Dinah's radiant southern eyes are a source of comfort and joy, and I could stare into them forever.

Yet, every night, / My, how I shake with fright, / Because my Dinah might, / Change her mind about me!
Although I am deeply in love with Dinah, I am afraid that she might one day decide to leave me.

But if Dinah, / Ever wandered to China, / I would hop an ocean liner, / Just to be with Dinah Lee!
I am so devoted to Dinah that I would cross oceans and continents to be with her, even if she were to move across the world.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Akst, Samuel M. Lewis, Joseph Young

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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