A Song for You
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg/Harold Arlen Lyrics


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It's quarter to three, there's no one in the place
Except you and me
So set 'em' up Joe, I got a little story
You oughta know

We're drinking my friend, to the end
Of a brief episode
Make it one for my baby
And one more for the road

I got the routine, so drop another nickel
In the machine
I'm feeling so bad, I wish you'd make the music
Dreamy and sad

Could tell you a lot, but that's not
In a gentleman's code
Make it one for my baby
And one more for the road

You'd never know it, but buddy I'm a kind of poet
And I've got a lot of things to say
And when I'm gloomy, you simply gotta listen to me
Until it's all talked away

Well that's how it goes, and Joe I know your gettin'
Anxious to close
Thanks for the beer
I hope you didn't mind

My bending your ear
Don't let it be said
Little Freddie couldn't carry his load
Make it one for my baby





And one more for the road
That long long road

Overall Meaning

The song "A Song For You" by E.Y. "Yip" Harburg/Harold Arlen is a poignant and melancholic take on a brief episode. The first line of the song, "It's quarter to three, there's no one in the place, Except you and me," sets the scene for a private conversation, possibly between two friends or associates, at a bar or a club. The singer asks Joe, the bartender, to set them up and drop another nickel in the machine, as he begins to tell a little story. The song slowly builds on the sense of isolation and regret, as the singer speaks of a "brief episode" that has come to an end, and he needs to raise a glass to that.


As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly emotional, expressing his sadness and wishing for "dreamy and sad" music to accompany his woes. He reveals that he has a lot of things to say and that he is a "kind of poet" when he is gloomy. The final lines of the song imply an impending departure, with Joe getting anxious to close up the bar. The singer thanks him for the beer and hopes that he did not mind bending his ear, asking for one more drink for the road.


The song deals with themes of loneliness, regret, and heartache, which are universal and prevalent in most people's lives. The lyrics are evocative, capturing the deep sadness of the singer's situation. The song was a hit for Frank Sinatra, who often included it in his concerts, making it a classic of the American songbook.


Line by Line Meaning

It's quarter to three, there's no one in the place
It's late at night and the bar is empty


Except you and me
We're the only ones here


So set 'em' up Joe, I got a little story
Please pour us some drinks, I have something to share


You oughta know
I think you'll find it interesting


We're drinking my friend, to the end
We're drinking together until the end of the night


Of a brief episode
Of a short period of time


Make it one for my baby
Pour one drink for me


And one more for the road
And one more for when I leave


I got the routine, so drop another nickel
I know how to work the jukebox, so please give me some coins


In the machine
So I can choose some music to play


I'm feeling so bad, I wish you'd make the music
I'm feeling sad and I hope the music will match my mood


Dreamy and sad
Soft and melancholic


Could tell you a lot, but that's not
I have many stories but they aren't appropriate right now


In a gentleman's code
As a gentleman, I know when not to share certain things


You'd never know it, but buddy I'm a kind of poet
You might not expect it, but I write poetry


And I've got a lot of things to say
I have a lot of thoughts and ideas


And when I'm gloomy, you simply gotta listen to me
When I'm feeling down, I appreciate your ear


Until it's all talked away
Until I've shared everything on my mind


Well that's how it goes, and Joe I know your gettin'
That's just how things are, and I know you want to close up soon


Anxious to close
Eager to go home


Thanks for the beer
Thank you for the drinks


I hope you didn't mind
I hope I haven't been too much trouble


My bending your ear
Talking your ear off


Don't let it be said
Don't let anyone say


Little Freddie couldn't carry his load
That I couldn't handle my alcohol


Make it one for my baby
Pour me one last drink


And one more for the road
For when I hit the long, lonely road ahead


That long long road
The journey ahead, which may be difficult and uncertain




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, JOHNNY MERCER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@bubbaschwartz

Thank You Tony for the music. RIP

@KentuckyJet

a gem by the master-craftsman of song

@marcschndr

Harold aren was a genius

@noahpettibon

How are there only 870-something views and 5 likes??

@nickriggio8807

Hear Tony on Facebook at: friends of Tony Bennett

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