On A Slow Boat To China
Dean Martin Lyrics


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Well there's no verse to this song
'Cause I don't want to wait a moment too long
To say that I'd love to get you on a slow boat to China
All myself alone
To get you to keep you in my arms evermore
Leave all your lovers weeping on the far-away shore

Well out on the briny with a moon big and shiny
Melting your heart of stone
Well I'd love to get you on a slow boat to China
All to myself alone

Well I'd love to get you on a slow boat to China
All to myself alone




On a real slow boat
On a slow slow boat to China

Overall Meaning

Dean Martin's "On a Slow Boat to China" is a romantic song that expresses the singer's desire to take a journey with the one he loves on a slow boat to China. The opening lines imply that there is no need for a verse because every moment is precious, and he doesn't want to waste any time expressing his affection. While Dean Martin is singing the lyrics, he is hoping to get his lover on a slow boat to China to spend the rest of his life with her. By doing so, he is pulling her away from all her former relationships and leaving all of her other lovers weeping on the far-away shore.


The verses are followed by the chorus, where he continues to express his love and affection for his lover. The chorus emphasizes his desire to get his lover on a slow boat to China, where there are a beautiful moon and calm waters to sooth her heart of stone. The song's lyrics deliver a romantic message that emphasizes the fact that the singer wants to spend the rest of his life with his lover, and he is ready to leave everything behind on this journey to make it possible.


Line by Line Meaning

Well there's no verse to this song
I don't want to waste any time and just want to get straight to the point.


'Cause I don't want to wait a moment too long
I don't want to miss my chance to express my love for you.


To say that I'd love to get you on a slow boat to China
I want to take you on a romantic journey to a far-off place.


All myself alone
I want to be alone with you on this journey.


To get you to keep you in my arms evermore
I want to hold you in my arms forever and never let you go.


Leave all your lovers weeping on the far-away shore
I want you to leave behind all your past lovers and start a new life with me.


Well out on the briny with a moon big and shiny
On the open sea, under a bright and beautiful moonlight.


Melting your heart of stone
I want to make you feel things you've never felt before and break down any barriers you have.


Well I'd love to get you on a slow boat to China
I am so excited about the idea of taking you on this journey.


All to myself alone
I want to savor this experience with just you and me.


Well I'd love to get you on a slow boat to China
My desire to take you on this journey is so strong that I repeat it.


All to myself alone
I really want to emphasize that I want to experience this alone with you.


On a real slow boat
This will not be a fast-paced journey, it will be at a leisurely pace.


On a slow slow boat to China
The journey will be slow and steady, but it will be worth it to be with you.




Contributed by Olivia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Colette Neilson

My daddy sang this to my Mother on their honeymoon, a lot lay ahead of them... but as the years went by good times and bad . Even tho they spilt up. My Daddy was their for my Mother , holding her ha d until she took her last breath.. Rip both of you xxx love you both

Dianne Wood

What a voice love dean king of cool

Jill Blaske

I love you Dino!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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