Medley
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra; Al Hibbler vocal; Lyrics

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If you hear
A song in blue
Like a flower crying
For the dew
That was my heart serenading you
My prelude to a kiss
If you hear a song that grows
From my tender sentimental woes

That was my heart trying to compose
A prelude to a kiss
Though it's just a simple melody
With nothing fancy
Nothing much
You could turn it to a symphony
A Shubert tune with a Gershwin touch
Oh how my love song gently cries
For the tenderness within your eyes
My love is a prelude that never dies
A prelude to a kiss
(bridge)
Though it's just a simple melody
With nothing fancy
Nothing much
You could turn it to a symphony
A Shubert tune with a Gershwin touch
Oh how my love song so gently cries
For the tenderness within your eyes

My love is a prelude that never dies
A prelude to a kiss

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Duke Ellington & His Orchestra's song "Medley in 2-3" sung by Al Hibbler vocal, are about the deep emotion and sentimentality of love. The singer is conveying to their loved one that the sad song they hear is actually just their heart singing a beautiful melody that is a prelude to a kiss. The singer further explains that whenever they hear a song that is growing out of their tender sentimental woes, it is their heart's attempt to compose a prelude to a kiss. The love song is simple, but it can turn into a symphony with a touch of Shubert or Gershwin.

The bridge of the song repeats the message that the love song is a simple melody, but it has the potential to turn significant with the Shubert tune and the Gershwin touch. The lyrics explain how the singer's love song cries gently for the tenderness within their lover's eyes, and it is a prelude that never dies. The song conveys that even though the prelude to a kiss is just the beginning, it is the most crucial moment of the beginning of a new romantic relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

If you hear
If you happen to listen

A song in blue
A song that reflects sadness or melancholy

Like a flower crying
Similar to a flower shedding dewdrops

For the dew
Asking for affection or attention

That was my heart serenading you
My heart singing to you affectionately

My prelude to a kiss
An introduction to our romantic moment

If you hear a song that grows
If you hear a song that develops

From my tender sentimental woes
A reflection of my sentimental struggles

That was my heart trying to compose
My heart trying to express itself creatively

A prelude to a kiss
A build-up to a kiss

Though it's just a simple melody
Although it's a basic tune