It Is What It Is
Andy Farber and His Orchestra Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Is it true what they say about Dixie?
Does the sun really shine all the time?
Do the sweet magnolias blossom at everybody's door?
Do folks keep eating possum
Till they can't eat no more?

Is it true what they say about Swanee?
Is a dream by that stream so sublime?
Do they laugh, do they love, like they say in every song?




If it's true, that's where I belong

Overall Meaning

The song It Is What It Is by Andy Farber and His Orchestra is an ode to the southern United States, particularly Dixie and Swanee. The opening lines are a series of questions about Dixie, from whether the sunshine is always present to whether the magnolias bloom plentifully. The reference to eating possum is likely a nod to the southern cuisine that is often associated with the region. This is followed by more questions about Swanee, with the singer wondering if the romanticism associated with the stream is true.


On a deeper level, the lyrics also speak to a yearning for a place that is depicted as idyllic and free from the problems of the world. The repeated question of "Is it true?" suggests a sense of disbelief or longing for a place that seems almost too good to be true. The final line, "If it's true, that's where I belong," encapsulates this sentiment and serves as a sort of resolution to the questions posed throughout the song.


Line by Line Meaning

Is it true what they say about Dixie?
Do the rumors about Dixie hold any truth?


Does the sun really shine all the time?
Is the sun truly shining incessantly?


Do the sweet magnolias blossom at everybody's door?
Are the sweet magnolias blossoming everywhere?


Do folks keep eating possum till they can't eat no more?
Do people consume possum until they can eat no more?


Is it true what they say about Swanee?
Are the rumors about Swanee true?


Is a dream by that stream so sublime?
Is a dream by that stream so ethereal?


Do they laugh, do they love, like they say in every song?
Do people truly laugh and love every day in Swanee?


If it's true, that's where I belong
If it's true, then Swanee is where I belong




Lyrics © ESTATE OF DOROTHY D LERNER DBA SAMUEL M. LERNER PUBLICATIONS
Written by: GERALD MARKS, IRVING CAESAR, SAMUEL LERNER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions