Tea for Two
Art Tatum Trio Lyrics


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I'm discontented with homes that are rented so I have invented my own
Darling this place is a lover's oasis where life's weary chase is unknown
Far from the cry of the city, where flowers pretty caress the streams
Cozy to hide in, to love side-by-side in
Don't let it abide in my dreams

Picture you upon my knee, just tea for two and two for tea
Just me for you and you for me, alone!
Nobody near us, to see us or hear us
No friends or relations on weekend vacations
We won't have it known, dear, that we have a telephone, dear
Day will break and you'll awake and start to bake
A sugar cake for me to take for all the boys to see
We will raise a family, a boy for you, a girl for me
Oh, can't you see how happy life would be?

You are revealing a plan so appealing I can't help but falling for you
Darling, I planned it; can't you understand it is yours to command it, so do
All of your schemes I'm admiring, they're worth desiring but can't you see
I'd like to wait there for some future date dear
It won't be too late, dear, for me

Picture you upon my knee, just tea for two and two for tea
Just me for you and you for me, alone!
Nobody near us, to see us or hear us
No friends or relations on weekend vacations
We won't have it known, dear, that we have a telephone, dear
Day will break and you'll awake and start to bake
A sugar cake for me to take for all the boys to see




We will raise a family, a boy for you, a girl for me
Oh, can't you see how happy life would be?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the Art Tatum Trio's "Tea For Two" express a sense of dissatisfaction with homes that are rented and a desire to create a private oasis for lovers. The singer longs for a cozy and secluded place, away from the chaos of the city, where he and his beloved can be alone and unobserved. They dream of a life together, just the two of them, with no friends or family interfering with their weekend vacations or calling them on the phone. They envision a future where they raise a family, with a boy for the singer and a girl for his beloved, and live a happy and contented life.


The lyrics suggest a longing for privacy and intimacy, a sense that the outside world can intrude upon even the most intimate of relationships. The singer envisions a life that is free from the demands of social expectations, where the couple can be alone and focus solely on each other. The repetition of the lines "Just tea for two and two for tea / Just me for you and you for me, alone!" emphasizes the importance of this privacy and the sense of closeness that the couple shares.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm discontented with homes that are rented so I have invented my own
I am unhappy with rented homes, hence I have invented my own.


Darling this place is a lover's oasis where life's weary chase is unknown
This place is perfect for lovers to escape the chase of life.


Far from the cry of the city, where flowers pretty caress the streams
This place is secluded from the city’s noise, with beautiful streaming flowers.


Cozy to hide in, to love side-by-side in
The place is perfect for hiding and loving beside each other.


Don't let it abide in my dreams
I want this dream to become a reality.


Picture you upon my knee, just tea for two and two for tea
Imagine us sitting together, having tea in twos.


Just me for you and you for me, alone!
We will be alone in this adventure together.


Nobody near us, to see us or hear us
No one around to watch or hear us.


No friends or relations on weekend vacations
No relatives and friends on weekend holidays.


We won't have it known, dear, that we have a telephone, dear
We will keep ourselves hidden and limit our communication to keep our privacy.


Day will break and you'll awake and start to bake
When you wake up, you will begin to bake.


A sugar cake for me to take for all the boys to see
You will bake me a cake to show off to my friends.


We will raise a family, a boy for you, a girl for me
We will have a family with a boy for you and a girl for me.


Oh, can't you see how happy life would be?
Can't you see how happy we could be?


You are revealing a plan so appealing I can't help but falling for you
Your plan is so appealing that I can't help but fall for you.


Darling, I planned it; can't you understand it is yours to command it, so do
You must understand that I have already planned it, and now it's your turn to do it.


All of your schemes I'm admiring, they're worth desiring but can't you see
I admire all your plans, but don't you see.


I'd like to wait there for some future date dear
I want to wait for a future date to complete your plan.


It won't be too late, dear, for me
It's never too late for me to experience what you have planned.




Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@stephaniecarrow4898

Bravo, Art Tatum! This should have many more views. Thanks for posting.

@gsparks77

totalement ambidextre , en plus de tous les talents !

@smulla001

This recording for Capitol Records is the swingingest version of T-2 Tatum ever made and my favorite of all his group jazz cuts. Tatum carefully integrates his 2 associates into a masterful head arrangement and created a monumental classic of the recording studio. 

@schatman1335

Clearly one of Art's favorite tunes for many years, he did many versions of T4-2, some of which were released in just the last couple of decades. Don't you just love the wit and skillful interplay of this one?

@peterashford7855

what did Buddy de Franco say, playing with Art in L.A.? " it was like chasing a train!"

@EPIGNOSIS777

The greatest piano player of all time. Beyond human conception.

@hamletsmill258

Bullocks

@EPIGNOSIS777

@Thijmen Vonk It seems that you are deaf man.

@kovarparker2595

classic

@16yearoldwhiteboy

are you serious? How many versions of this song did he play I believe I've heard about six? Thanks for uploading.

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