The Lady Is A Tramp
Cole Porter / Rodgers & Hart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I hitched and hiked and grifted too, from Maine to Albuquerque
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball, and what is twice as sad
I was never at a party where they honored Noel Ca-ad (Coward)
But social circles spin too fast for me
My "hobohemia" is the place to be
I get too hungry, for dinner at eight
I never bother, with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I don't like crap games, with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the free, fresh wind in her hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's OK
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
I go to Coney, the beach is divine
I go to ballgames, the bleachers are fine
I follow Winchell, and read every line
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like a prizefight, that isn't a fake
I love the rowing, on Central Park lake
I go to Opera and stay wide awake
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the green grass under my shoes
What can I lose, I'm flat, that's that
I'm alone when I lower my lamp
That's why the lady is a tramp
In the song "The Lady Is A Tramp", the singer is describing themselves as a free spirit who prefers a simpler lifestyle. They have no interest in the fancy parties or social circles of the elite, preferring instead the company of the unconventional and the free-spirited. They enjoy their own company and the simple pleasures of life, such as going to Coney Island and ballgames. They also have a distaste for pretentiousness and fake displays of extravagance, preferring instead to live honestly and without affectation. This song is a celebration of individuality, nonconformity, and living life on one's own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
I've wined and dined on Mulligan Stew, and never wished for Turkey
I have enjoyed the simple things in life and never needed extravagance.
As I hitched and hiked and grifted too, from Maine to Albuquerque
I have traveled extensively and on a tight budget.
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball, and what is twice as sad
Unfortunately, I have missed out on extravagant events.
I was never at a party where they honored Noel Ca-ad (Coward)
I have missed out on parties honoring celebrities.
But social circles spin too fast for me
I find the pace of high society overwhelming.
My "hobohemia" is the place to be
I prefer the company of unconventional people.
I get too hungry, for dinner at eight
I like to eat earlier than the norm.
I like the theater, but never come late
I appreciate the arts and being on time for shows.
I never bother, with people I hate
I avoid unpleasant people.
That's why the lady is a tramp
That's why I am an unconventional woman.
I don't like crap games, with barons and earls
I don't enjoy gambling with the wealthy elite.
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
I won't go to Harlem dressed in formal attire.
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
I don't gossip with other women.
I like the free, fresh wind in her hair
I enjoy the natural elements.
Life without care
I try not to worry about things unnecessarily.
I'm broke, it's OK
I don't have much money, but it doesn't bother me.
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
I don't like California because it's too cool and damp for me.
I go to Coney, the beach is divine
I enjoy going to Coney Island.
I go to ballgames, the bleachers are fine
I prefer to watch ballgames from the cheaper seats in the stands.
I follow Winchell, and read every line
I keep up with celebrity gossip.
I like a prizefight, that isn't a fake
I enjoy watching genuine prizefights.
I love the rowing, on Central Park lake
I enjoy watching rowing on Central Park lake.
I go to Opera and stay wide awake
I enjoy opera and don't fall asleep during performances.
I like the green grass under my shoes
I enjoy nature and the feeling of the grass under my feet.
What can I lose, I'm flat, that's that
I don't have many possessions, but I am content with what I have.
I'm alone when I lower my lamp
I enjoy spending time alone.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Mclaughlin
Excellent, one of my favorite versions of this American classic.
newton ferreira de carvalho
Maravilhoso.
arthurboehm
Hans Spialek's orchestration!
Not Chuck Productions
i wish this was more well know :(
STEVE MULWITZ
THESE CATS DIDN'T WRITE NO JUNK MAN---I ALSO WISH I WERE IN LOVE AGAIN!
AGNES CHATEL
Go and watch ABC Stage 67 Rodgers and Hart Today, you'll get also "Wish I were in love again" performed by Bobby Darin, Count Basie on piano.
Nicole Hawkes
I've wined and dined on mulligan stew
And never wished for turkey
As I hitched and hiked and grifted too
From Maine to Albuquerque
Alas, I missed the Beaux-Arts Ball
and, what is twice as sad,
I was never at a party
Where they honored Noel Caaahd But social circles spin too fast for me
My Hobo-hemia is the place to be
I get too hungry for dinner at eight
I love the theater but never come late
I never bother with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I don't like crap games with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the free, fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's "oke"
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
I go to Coney, the beach is divine
I go to ball games, the bleachers are fine
I follow Winchell and read every line
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like a prizefight that isn't a fake
I love the rowing on Central Park Lake
I go to opera and stay wide awake
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the green grass under my shoes
What can I lose?
I'm flat, that's that
I'm all alone when I lower my lamp
That's why the lady is a tramp
Don't know the reason for cocktails at five
I don't like flying, I'm glad I'm alive
I crave affection, but not when I drive
That's why the lady is a tramp
Folks went to London and left me behind
I missed the crowning, Queen Mary didn't mind
Won't play Scarlett in "Gone with the Wynde"
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like to hang my hat where I please
Sail with the breeze
No dough, hi-ho!
I still like Roosevelt, I think he's a champ
That's why the lady
That's why the lady
That's why the lady is a tramp
Valeria Ávila
I've wined and dined on mulligan stew
And never wished for turkey
As I hitched and hiked and grifted too
From Maine to Albuquerque
Alas, I missed the Beaux-Arts Ball
and, what is twice as sad,
I was never at a party
Where they honored Noel Caaahd
That's why the lady is a tramp
But social circles spin too fast for me
My Hobo-hemia is the place to be
I get too hungry for dinner at eight
I love the theater but never come late
I never bother with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I don't like crap games with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the free, fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's "oke"
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
I go to Coney, the beach is divine
I go to ball games, the bleachers are fine
I follow Winchell and read every line
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like a prizefight that isn't a fake
I love the rowing on Central Park Lake
I go to opera and stay wide awake
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the green grass under my shoes
What can I lose?
I'm flat, that's that
I'm all alone when I lower my lamp
That's why the lady is a tramp
Don't know the reason for cocktails at five
I don't like flying, I'm glad I'm alive
I crave affection, but not when I drive
That's why the lady is a tramp
Folks went to London and left me behind
I missed the crowning, Queen Mary didn't mind
Won't play Scarlett in "Gone with the Wynde"
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like to hang my hat where I please
Sail with the breeze
No dough, hi-ho!
I still like Roosevelt, I think he's a champ
That's why the lady
That's why the lady
That's why the lady is a tramp
Grace Callahan
1:42 - 2:18
shug adri
1:05 - 2:17