Chelsea Bridge
Blanton-Webster Band; Duke Ellington Lyrics

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I was a stranger in the city
Out of town were the people I knew
I had that feeling of self-pity
What to do, what to do, what to do?
The outlook was decidedly blue

But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known

A foggy day, in London town
Had me low, had me down
I viewed the morning with much alarm
British museum had lost it's charm

How long I wondered
Could this thing last
But the age of miracles hadn't past
For, suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town
The sun was shining everywhere

For, suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town
The sun was shining everywhere

Everywhere

Everywhere
Everywhere

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Duke Ellington's song Chelsea Bridge tells the story of a stranger who finds himself lost in London, feeling low and dejected. He expresses his self-pity, wondering what he could do and feeling desolate about the bleak outlook of things. However, as he walks the foggy streets all alone, he suddenly sees a ray of hope, a familiar face that brightens up his day. The foggy city transforms into a sunny, welcoming place as the person he sees makes all the difference. The song is a testament to the power of human connection and how, in the midst of despair, just one person can make all the difference.

One interpretation of the song is that the Chelsea Bridge is symbolic of the connection between people that brings sunshine into people's lives. The bridge links two opposite shores, much like how people from different backgrounds can find commonalities that bring them together.

Overall, Duke Ellington's Chelsea Bridge is a song about hope, finding solace in the company of others, and the power of human connection to transform the dreariest situations.

Line by Line Meaning

I was a stranger in the city
I didn't know anyone in the city

Out of town were the people I knew
People I knew were not in the city

I had that feeling of self-pity
I felt sorry for myself

What to do, what to do, what to do?
I didn't know what to do

The outlook was decidedly blue
I was feeling pessimistic

But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
I walked alone in the foggy streets

It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known
It was the luckiest day I've had

A foggy day, in London town
It was a foggy day in London

Had me low, had me down
I felt sad and depressed

I viewed the morning with much alarm
I was worried about the morning

British museum had lost it's charm
The British museum was no longer interesting