Regrets
Bryans Lyrics

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Miss otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today, madam,
Miss otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
She is sorry to be delayed,
But last evening down in lover's lane she strayed, madam,

Miss otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
When she woke up and found that her dream of love was gone, madam,
She ran to the man who had led her so far astray,

And from under her velvet gown,

She drew a gun and shot her love down, madam,
Miss otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
When the mob came and got her and dragged her from the jail, madam,
They strung her upon the old willow across the way,

And the moment before she died,

She lifted up her lovely head and cried, madam......
Miss otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bryan Ferry's song "Regrets" depict the tragic story of Miss Otis, a woman who couldn't keep up with the societal norms and expectations of her time. The song is inspired by the Cole Porter's classic "Miss Otis Regrets," which was also about a jilted woman seeking revenge. However, in Ferry's version, we get a more detailed and graphic story of Miss Otis. She had a rendezvous with her lover and discovered that he didn't reciprocate her feelings. In a fit of passion, she shot him down and was arrested for her actions. When she was dragged from the jail and hung, she cried out her sorrow for causing her own downfall.

The song is a commentary on the hypocrisy of the upper-class society of the early 20th century. Miss Otis was a victim of societal expectations and suffered gravely for them, but those who led a double life and were dishonest were not punished in the same way. The song has a mournful tone and highlights the tragedy of Miss Otis's fate. It also showcases the power of love and how it can drive a person to the brink of insanity.

Line by Line Meaning

Miss otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today, madam,
Miss Otis is apologizing for not being able to have lunch today.

She is sorry to be delayed,
Miss Otis apologizes for the delay in her appointment.

But last evening down in lover's lane she strayed, madam,
Miss Otis went to lover's lane but lost her love and got delayed.

When she woke up and found that her dream of love was gone, madam,
Miss Otis discovered that her dream of love had ended and she was upset.

She ran to the man who had led her so far astray,
Miss Otis tried to find the man who caused her heartbreak.

And from under her velvet gown,
Miss Otis pulled out a gun from her dress.

She drew a gun and shot her love down, madam,
Miss Otis killed the man who broke her heart.

When the mob came and got her and dragged her from the jail, madam,
Miss Otis was apprehended by the authorities and taken to jail.

They strung her upon the old willow across the way,
Miss Otis was hanged on an old willow tree for her crime.

And the moment before she died,
Just before Miss Otis died.

She lifted up her lovely head and cried, madam......
Miss Otis cried in her final moments.

Miss otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
Miss Otis is once again apologizing for not being able to have lunch, but this time she is unable to because she is dead.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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