Panama
Bob Crosby and his Orchestra Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I get awful gloomy
You mean, very gloomy
Very gloomy, now and then, in this town
'Cause it's always so hard
To find a real pard
Who'll play in your yard
When you're down
But since the talk, you and me
I mean, you and I have had
I've got a good friend, I see
Well, I'm not so very bad

What say, let's be buddies
What say, let's be pals
What say, let's be buddies
And keep up each other's morales
I may never shout it
But many's the time I'm blue
What say, how's about it
Can't I be a buddy to you?

Yes, with certain reservations
Will you try your best to go for this moll?
Hattie, what are you talking about?
If you do, I'll buy a new dress for your doll
But please let me pick it out
And I'll take you to hear the big cathedral bells
Oh, I hate those noisy old chimes
Well, instead then we'll go to see Gone With The Wind
But I've already seen it four times
Would you like a big box of chocolate creams?
No, for candy I never did care
Then will you let me get you a cute little dog?
Would you mind making it a bear?
Say, Jerry, old kid, you're a tough proposition
Are you sure your lid is in a healthy condition?
Are you feelin' good, Jerry?
What me? Why, very.
Well, whether you are or not

If you're on the town
If you're on your own
Well, I'm sort of down
And sick of being alone
Do you ever spend your evenings with the blues?




'Cause if you do my friend
We're both in the same shoes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bob Crosby and his Orchestra's song Panama are nostalgic and wistful, focusing on the challenges of finding true companionship in life. The singer expresses how gloomy he can become in his town because it's hard to find someone who will support him when he's down. However, he talks about the positive impact of having a friend who will stick with him through thick and thin. The song highlights the importance of having a support system and how it can make a huge difference in a person's life. The final verse of the song showcases the shared experience of facing loneliness, and how the companionship of a true friend can help overcome this melancholic feeling.


The song is crafted in a conversational format between two people, using simple language to communicate the longing for a true friend. One person initiates the conversation and asks if they can be friends, and the other person agrees but with reservations, highlighting a degree of vulnerability and caution. The lyrics cleverly cover a range of topics, from buying dresses for dolls to watching movies, but still explore the theme of loneliness and the importance of finding someone who will stick with you.


Line by Line Meaning

I get awful gloomy
I feel very downcast and unhappy


You mean, very gloomy
You are right, it is a very unhappy feeling


Very gloomy, now and then, in this town
It is often a sad place to be


'Cause it's always so hard
It is always so difficult


To find a real pard
To find a true friend


Who'll play in your yard
Who will be there for you


When you're down
When you are feeling low


But since the talk, you and me
Since our conversation


I mean, you and I have had
You and I have had


I've got a good friend, I see
I have found a good friend


Well, I'm not so very bad
I am not feeling too bad anymore


What say, let's be buddies
What do you say, let's be friends


What say, let's be pals
What do you say, let's be close friends


What say, let's be buddies
What do you say, let's be friends


And keep up each other's morales
And support each other's spirits


I may never shout it
I may not say it loudly


But many's the time I'm blue
But I often feel sad


What say, how's about it
What do you say, are you interested


Can't I be a buddy to you?
Can I be your friend?


Yes, with certain reservations
Yes, but with some conditions


Will you try your best to go for this moll?
Will you try to follow this plan?


Hattie, what are you talking about?
Hattie, what do you mean?


If you do, I'll buy a new dress for your doll
If you do, I will purchase a new outfit for your toy


But please let me pick it out
But please let me choose it


And I'll take you to hear the big cathedral bells
And I will take you to hear the large church bells


Oh, I hate those noisy old chimes
Oh, I don't like those loud old sounds


Well, instead then we'll go to see Gone With The Wind
Well, then we will watch Gone With The Wind instead


But I've already seen it four times
But I have already watched it four times


Would you like a big box of chocolate creams?
Do you want a large box of chocolate candies?


No, for candy I never did care
No, I never really cared for candy


Then will you let me get you a cute little dog?
Then will you allow me to buy you an adorable puppy?


Would you mind making it a bear?
Can it be a bear instead?


Say, Jerry, old kid, you're a tough proposition
Hey, Jerry, old buddy, you are a difficult person


Are you sure your lid is in a healthy condition?
Are you sure you are mentally healthy?


Are you feelin' good, Jerry?
Are you feeling good, Jerry?


What me? Why, very.
Me? Yes, I am feeling fine.


Well, whether you are or not
Regardless of how you are feeling


If you're on the town
If you are out and about


If you're on your own
If you are alone


Well, I'm sort of down
Well, I am feeling a bit sad


And sick of being alone
And tired of being by myself


Do you ever spend your evenings with the blues?
Do you ever feel sad in the evenings?


'Cause if you do my friend
Because if you do, my friend


We're both in the same shoes
We are both feeling the same way




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER

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