I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
Doris Day Lyrics


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Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
My luck is changing, it's gotten from
simply rotten to something worse
Who knows, some day I will win too.
I'll begin to reach my prime.

Now though I see what our end is,
All I can spend is just my time.

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.

Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find

Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.

Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.

Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
But I am willing to wait, dear,
Your little mate, dear, will not forget.

You have a lifetime before you.
I'll adore you, come what may.

Please don't be blue for the present,
When it's so pleasant to hear you say

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.

Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find

Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.





Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.

Overall Meaning

In the song "I Can’t Give You Anything But Love," Doris Day sings about financial difficulties and the limitations that come with being broke. The opening lines "Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse" set the tone for the rest of the song. Despite her current situation, Day expresses hope for the future and remains optimistic that her luck will change. She even encourages her partner to dream and scheme with her, saying "Dream awhile, scheme awhile, we're sure to find happiness and, I guess, all those things you've always pined for."

Day reminds her partner that even though she cannot give them material possessions, she can give them love. The line "I can't give you anything but love, baby. That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby" emphasizes the importance of love in a relationship, suggesting that emotional support can sometimes be more valuable than material possessions. The song ends with Day's reassurance that she will wait for her partner, claiming that "Your little mate, dear, will not forget" and promising that they will one day have everything they want.


Overall, the song is a testament to the power of love and hope in times of financial hardship. It highlights the importance of emotional support and companionship in relationships, rather than just material possessions.


Line by Line Meaning

Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
Being broke is incredibly difficult, kid.


It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
Being broke is not funny at all, kid; it's a curse.


My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse
My luck is changing, but it has actually gone from bad to worse.


Who knows, some day I will win too.
Perhaps someday I will also come out on top.


I'll begin to reach my prime.
I will start to thrive.


Now though I see what our end is, All I can spend is just my time.
Currently, I can only offer you my time, as I see where we are headed.


I can't give you anything but love, baby.
All I can offer you is love, baby.


That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
Love is the one thing that I have an abundance of, baby.


Dream awhile, scheme awhile, We're sure to find Happiness and I guess All those things you've always pined for.
Let's dream and plan together; we will surely find happiness and achieve all of your desires.


Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby. Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
I would love to see you doing really well and wearing expensive jewelry that isn't sold at Woolworth's.


Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby. I can't give you anything but love.
Until that fortunate day arrives, you know very well that all I can give you is my love.


Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
Things take time, kid.


You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
You have to work hard to achieve what you desire, kid.


But I am willing to wait, dear, Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
However, I am willing to be patient, my dear. I will always remember that we are in this together.


You have a lifetime before you.
You have your entire life ahead of you.


I'll adore you, come what may.
I will always cherish and love you, no matter what happens.


Please don't be blue for the present, When it's so pleasant to hear you say.
Don't be sad right now, when it's so delightful to hear you speak.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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