San Francisco
Don Thompson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It only takes a tiny corner of
This great big world to make a place you love
My home up on the hill
I find I love you still
I've been away but now I'm back to tell you

San Francisco
Open your golden gate
You let no stranger wait outside your door
San Francisco
Here is your wandering one
Saying I'll wander no more
Other places only make me love you best
Tell me you're the heart of all the golden west

San Francisco
Welcome me home again




I'm coming home
To go roaming no more

Overall Meaning

The song "San Francisco" by Don Thompson is about his love for the city of San Francisco. The opening lines suggest that a small part of the world can be enough to create a place that is loved. The first verse is a reflection on his home, which is up on a hill, and how he still loves it despite being away. This is followed by the chorus, which expresses his admiration for the city of San Francisco, which is known for its hospitality, as it never lets a stranger wait outside its door.


The second verse is a declaration that San Francisco is where he belongs, and he will not wander off to other places anymore. He believes that the city is the heart of the golden west, and no other place can match its charm. The final chorus is more personal as he asks the city to welcome him back home as he has returned to roam no more.


The song "San Francisco" was written by Bronislaw Kaper and Walter Jurmann, with lyrics by Gus Kahn, in 1936. It was originally written for the movie "San Francisco," starring Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald. The song was an instant hit and became one of the most popular songs of the time. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Johnny Mathis.


Line by Line Meaning

It only takes a tiny corner of
A small place in this vast world can still hold significance


This great big world to make a place you love
One can still find love in a small corner of the world


My home up on the hill
The singer's home in San Francisco is located on a hill


I find I love you still
Despite being away from San Francisco, the artist's love for the city remains strong


I've been away but now I'm back to tell you
After being away, the artist returns to express their love for San Francisco


San Francisco
Addressing the city of San Francisco


Open your golden gate
Welcoming visitors and newcomers to the city with open arms


You let no stranger wait outside your door
San Francisco is a welcoming city, where strangers are not left waiting outside


Here is your wandering one
The artist refers to themselves as a wandering person who has found a home in San Francisco


Saying I'll wander no more
The artist is done wandering and has found permanent love and attachment to San Francisco


Other places only make me love you best
Traveling to other places has only strengthened the singer's love for San Francisco


Tell me you're the heart of all the golden west
San Francisco is the heart and soul of the western coast of the US


San Francisco
Addressing the city of San Francisco again


Welcome me home again
The singer returns home to San Francisco


I'm coming home
The singer is returning home to San Francisco


To go roaming no more
The artist has found a permanent home and will no longer wander




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Walter Jurmann, Gus Kahn, Bronislaw Kaper

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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