The Last Time I Saw Paris
Bob Hope Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has left her old companions and faded from view
Lonely men with lonely eyes are seeking her in vain
Her streets are where they were, but there's no sign of her
She has left the Seine
I heard the laughter of her heart in every street cafe
The last time I saw Paris, her trees were dressed for spring,
And lovers walked beneath those trees and birds found songs to sing.
I dodged the same old taxicabs that I had dodged for years.
The chorus of their squeaky horns was music to my ears.
The last time I saw Paris, her heart was warm and gay,
No matter how they change her, I'll remember her that way.
I'll think of happy hours, and people who shared them
Old women, selling flowers, in markets at dawn
Children who applauded, Punch and Judy in the park
And those who danced at night and kept our Paris bright
'Til the town went dark.
The song "The Last Time I Saw Paris" by Bob Hope is a nostalgic ode to the city of love and all the memories associated with it. The opening lines introduce Paris as a lady who is both romantic and charming, but who has now disappeared from view, leaving behind lonely men with lonely eyes who are seeking her in vain. The reference to Paris as a lady lends a personifying touch, creating a sense of attachment and loss that is prevalent throughout the song. Despite the fact that Paris is still physically present, her essence seems to have vanished, leaving behind only memories.
The song then moves on to recount the last time the singer saw Paris, when her heart was warm and gay, and the laughter of her heart was heard in every street cafe. The mention of "her heart" is another instance of the personification of Paris, as if the city herself exuded a vibrant and infectious energy that was felt by all. The mention of lovers walking beneath the trees dressed in spring and the birds singing songs conjures a romantic and idyllic picture of Paris that is often associated with the city. The reference to dodging the same old taxicabs highlights the enduring familiarity of the city despite the passage of time.
The final verse of the song reflects on the memories of happy hours spent in Paris, such as buying flowers from old women at dawn or watching Punch and Judy shows with applause from children. The mention of people who danced at night and kept Paris bright is a touching tribute to the spirit of the city that is still remembered by the singer, despite the fact that the town has now gone dark. Overall, the lyrics of "The Last Time I Saw Paris" give voice to a wistful and nostalgic longing for a time and place that has now passed.
Line by Line Meaning
A lady known as Paris, Romantic and Charming
Paris is often personified as a woman and is known for its romantic and charming nature
Has left her old companions and faded from view
Paris has changed over time and is no longer as it used to be
Lonely men with lonely eyes are seeking her in vain
People who long for the old Paris are disappointed as they cannot find it
Her streets are where they were, but there's no sign of her
The physical location of Paris remains the same, but the essence of the city has changed
She has left the Seine
The Seine river, one of the defining features of Paris, no longer holds the same significance after the city's changes
The last time I saw Paris, her heart was warm and gay,
When the singer last saw Paris, the city was lively, happy and full of joy
I heard the laughter of her heart in every street cafe
The city exuded happiness and the sound of joy was heard everywhere, especially in cafes
Her trees were dressed for spring,
During the springtime, the trees in Paris are adorned with flowers and leaves
And lovers walked beneath those trees and birds found songs to sing.
The springtime scene in Paris is often associated with romantic walks and the sound of birds chirping
I dodged the same old taxicabs that I had dodged for years.
The artist reminisces about the familiar sights and sounds of Paris, including the noise of taxicabs on the streets
The chorus of their squeaky horns was music to my ears.
The loud and familiar sounds of traffic were comforting and nostalgic to the singer
No matter how they change her, I'll remember her that way.
The artist will always remember Paris in the way that it was when they last saw it
I'll think of happy hours, and people who shared them
The singer remembers the happy times they spent with others in Paris
Old women, selling flowers, in markets at dawn
The singer remembers the sight of old women selling flowers in markets in the early morning
Children who applauded, Punch and Judy in the park
The singer remembers the image of children clapping along to a Punch and Judy show in the park
And those who danced at night and kept our Paris bright
The night scene in Paris was kept lively and bright by those who danced and enjoyed the city's nightlife
Til the town went dark.
The city would only quiet down and darken once the night had come to an end
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Georges Auric, William Engvick, Jacques Larue
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind