She is known for her sense of humor, which is expressed in both her music and her onstage performances. Many of her songs alternate between emotional reflections on romance and outright comedy. Two of her more famous songs include "Sensitive New Age Guys" and "Bald Headed Men".
The Bag Ladies' Ball
Christine Lavin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I were and entrepeneur
I would rent the Plaza Hotel for a day
Rent an Englishman for the door
I'd send out embossed invitations
Announcing: Come one, Come all
To the social event of the season
From the streets of Greenwich Village
From the benches on Tenth Avenue
From the tenements of Harlem
Would come bag ladies two by two
Dragging their treasures behind them
Humming some faraway song
It's a sight New Yorkers will never forget
Bag ladies marching along
Now they'll each get a suite for the evening
With a bath and a telephone
They'll dine in the elegant Oak Room
With their bag lady friends, not alone
They'll sip Champagne in the Palm Court
Stroll down the carpeted halls
Now excitement is mounting for everyone
At the annual bag ladies ball
Precisely at 10 the music begins
Bag ladies crowd the dance floor
There's waltzs and foxtrots and tangos and two steps
And sambas, merenges and more
They exchange the politest of pleasantries
As they gracefully sway to the tunes
When the band takes a break, they're served Ice cream and cake
And are all given silver balloons
Oh, but the evening ends all too quickly
For these old women of the streets
They repair to their clean white feather beds
In their elegant private suites
Then it's room service in the morning
Coffee and croissant for all
Then it's back to the life they're so used to
'Till next years bag ladies ball.
The song "The Bag Ladies' Ball" by Christine Lavin tells the story of a luxurious event that she fantasizes about. If she had a million dollars and were an entrepreneur, she would hold an annual ball for the homeless and destitute women of New York City. She would rent the Plaza Hotel for a day and hire an Englishman to greet the guests at the door. She would invite the bag ladies of the city to come together and celebrate for one night. The song imagines how the event would unfold.
The bag ladies, who are normally dismissed and ignored, are given the royal treatment. They each get a suite for the evening, dine in the elegant Oak Room, and sip champagne in the Palm Court. They dance together, enjoying waltzes, foxtrots, tangos, and more. The song paints a picture of the women enjoying the night and feeling appreciated in a way they never have before. The song ends with the women returning to their normal lives but already looking forward to next year's ball.
The lyrics in this song are a tribute to the women who are often ignored and seen as invisible in society. The song is an imaginative look at how such women should be treated with respect and appreciation. The music perfectly captures the joyous and celebratory nature of the ball.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had a million dollars
Expressing a hypothetical scenario of possessing a great sum of money.
If I were an entrepreneur
If the singer had the business acumen and resources to realize their vision.
I would rent the Plaza Hotel for a day
The singer's aspiration to temporarily acquire a prestigious and expensive location.
Rent an Englishman for the door
A tongue-in-cheek comment about the artist's desire to hire a butler-like figure for the event.
I'd send out embossed invitations
The artist's intention to create formal and visually appealing invitations.
Announcing: Come one, Come all
Inviting anyone to attend, regardless of their social status or background.
To the social event of the season
This event is seen as a highlight of the social calendar.
The Annual bag ladies ball
The name of the event that the artist wants to realize.
From the streets of Greenwich Village
Describing the location where some of the attendees would likely come from.
From the benches on Tenth Avenue
Describing the location where some of the attendees would likely come from.
From the tenements of Harlem
Describing the location where some of the attendees would likely come from.
Would come bag ladies two by two
Women who carry their belongings in bags or sacks, traditionally associated with homelessness or poverty.
Dragging their treasures behind them
Referring to the perception that these women may actually value and take care of their possessions despite their destitute circumstances.
Humming some faraway song
An image of the women emitting cheerful and carefree vibes, possibly due to escapism from their everyday hardships.
It's a sight New Yorkers will never forget
The event would be an unprecedented and impactful scene that people will remember for a long time.
Bag ladies marching along
The women proceeding in an orderly but joyous manner towards the event venue.
Now they'll each get a suite for the evening
The women will receive accommodation better than their usual dwelling places, as a result of the event organizer's generosity.
With a bath and a telephone
Even small luxuries will make a huge difference to the women's daily routines.
They'll dine in the elegant Oak Room
The women will get to experience fine dining in a luxurious atmosphere, which is typically inaccessible to them.
With their bag lady friends, not alone
Contrasting the usual solitary nature of the women's lives with the social aspect of the event.
They'll sip Champagne in the Palm Court
A reflection of the extravagance of the event, with the women indulging in fancy drinks in a fancy room.
Stroll down the carpeted halls
Enjoying the high-end interior decoration of the building and its elegance.
Now excitement is mounting for everyone
Anticipation and enthusiasm in the air for both the organizers and the attendees.
At the annual bag ladies ball
Reiterating the name of the event and its significance.
Precisely at 10 the music begins
Depicting the exact time the entertainment programming starts, adding further detail to the storyline.
Bag ladies crowd the dance floor
The women eagerly taking advantage of the opportunity to let loose and dance.
There's waltzes and foxtrots and tangos and two steps
Listing some of the dance styles being offered.
And sambas, merenges and more
Expanding the types of music and dance styles being played to include international flavors.
They exchange the politest of pleasantries
The women interacting and conversing with each other using the best mannerisms they can offer, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and admiration.
As they gracefully sway to the tunes
Painting a picture of the women's light and natural movements to the rhythm of the music.
When the band takes a break, they're served ice cream and cake
A small break from dancing, but still maintaining the festive mood by providing refreshments.
And are all given silver balloons
An additional gift or souvenir for the women to take home, further emphasizing the generosity of the organizers.
Oh, but the evening ends all too quickly
With immense joy and satisfaction of the event, it ends faster than anyone would want it to.
For these old women of the streets
A respectful reference to the women's advanced age and living conditions.
They repair to their clean white feather beds
Returning to a comfortable living space that is a drastic contrast to their usual arrangements.
In their elegant private suites
The women now have access to a luxurious environment which is unexpected for them.
Then it's room service in the morning
Continuing with the theme of luxury offerings, the women are being provided with in-room dining services.
Coffee and croissant for all
A simple, yet indulgent breakfast that the women probably don't normally have access to.
Then it's back to the life they're so used to
A reminder that this is a one-time special event and the women must return to their normal lifestyles once it ends.
'Till next year's Bag Ladies Ball
Ending with a forward-looking statement towards the future, hinting the organizers' intention for the event to be held annually.
Contributed by Jack P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.