It Could Happen to You
Bing Crosby feat. John Scott Trotter Lyrics

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Hide your heart from sight,
Lock your dreams at night,
It could happen to you.
Don't count stars
Or you might stumble,
Someone drops a sigh
And down you tumble,
Keep an eye on spring,

Run when church bells ring.
It could happen to you
All I did was wonder

How your arms would be
And it happened to me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bing Crosby's "It Could Happen to You" are a cautionary tale about love and the unexpected nature of its arrival. The song begins with a warning to hide your heart from sight and lock your dreams at night, suggesting that one should be wary of the vulnerability that comes with opening oneself up to love. The phrase "it could happen to you" serves as a reminder that falling in love is not always within our control and can happen unexpectedly. The second half of the verse speaks to the idea that counting stars and getting too caught up in one's own thoughts can lead to accidental falls, indicating that we should stay present and aware of our surroundings if we hope to avoid heartbreak.

Line by Line Meaning

Hide your heart from sight,
Conceal your emotions and vulnerabilities

Lock your dreams at night,
Keep your aspirations guarded

It could happen to you.
A warning that unforeseeable events can occur to anyone

Don't count stars
Don't get lost in your own thoughts and fantasies

Or you might stumble,
Otherwise, you may fall or make a mistake

Someone drops a sigh
Someone could unintentionally reveal their feelings and interests

And down you tumble,
This can lead to unexpected and life-changing events

Keep an eye on spring,
Be vigilant and attentive to potential opportunities

Run when church bells ring.
Act on promising chances when they present themselves

It could happen to you
Reiterating that sudden events can happen to anyone, regardless of their circumstances

All I did was wonder
Merely thinking about a possibility