Tea for Two
Ella & Basie Lyrics


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I'm discontented with homes that I've rented
So I have invented my own
Darling, this place is a lovely oasis
Where life's weary taste is unknown

Far from the crowded city
Where flowers pretty caress the stream
Cozy to hide in, to live side by side in
Don't let it apart in my dream

Picture me upon your knee
Just tea for two
And two for tea
Just me for you
And you for me alone

Nobody near us to see us or hear us
No friends or relations
On weekend vacations
We won't have it known
That we own a telephone, dear

Day will break and I'll wake
And start to bake a sugar cake
For you to take for all the boys to see

We will raise a family
A boy for you
And a girl for me
Can't you see how happy we would be?

Picture you upon my knee
Just tea for two
And two for tea
Just me for you
And you for me alone

Nobody near us to see us or hear us
No friends or relations
On weekend vacations
We won't have it known
That we own a telephone, dear

Day will break, you'll wake
And start to bake a sugar cake
For you to take for all the boys to see

We will raise a family




A boy for you
And a girl for me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Tea for Two" by Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie convey a sense of discontentment with the rental homes the singer has experienced in the past. The singer has invented a space that is a lovely oasis, away from the crowded city and where the taste of life's weariness is unknown. The space is cozy, suitable for living together with a partner. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the ideal life the singer envisions: where it can be just the two of them, with nobody near to see or hear them, on an idyllic weekend vacation. They won't even own a telephone to avoid any unwanted disruptions.


The image the lyrics create is one of pure bliss and romance, as the singer imagines themselves with their partner having tea for two, with the partner being the only significant person in their life. The lyrics indicate that the couple would be happy and complete with just one another, raise a boy for the partner and a girl for the singer, and start a family. The day would break, and they would wake to the smell of the sugar cake being baked, which the partner would take out for all the boys to see.


The lyrics of "Tea for Two" are a testament to the power of imagination. They express the singers' longing for a life of peace and tranquility, far from the maddening crowds of the city. The lyrics paint a picture of a world that exists only in the singer's imagination, where they can live happily ever after with the partner of their dreams.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm discontented with homes that I've rented
I'm unhappy with the places I've lived in for rent


So I have invented my own
So I have created my own place


Darling, this place is a lovely oasis
Sweetie, this place is a beautiful haven


Where life's weary taste is unknown
Where the hardships of life are not felt


Far from the crowded city
Away from the busy metropolis


Where flowers pretty caress the stream
Where beautiful flowers adorn the waterway


Cozy to hide in, to live side by side in
Comfortable to stay in, to live together


Don't let it apart in my dream
Don't let it be lost in my imagination


Picture me upon your knee
Imagine me sitting on your lap


Just tea for two
Just two of us having tea


And two for tea
And the same for more tea


Just me for you
Just me for you to enjoy


And you for me alone
And you for me exclusively


Nobody near us to see us or hear us
No one around to witness or hear us


No friends or relations
No friends or family members


On weekend vacations
During weekend breaks


We won't have it known
We won't let it be known


That we own a telephone, dear
That we have a telephone, my love


Day will break and I'll wake
Morning will come and I will wake up


And start to bake a sugar cake
And start to bake a cake with sugar


For you to take for all the boys to see
For you to show to everyone, especially your male friends


We will raise a family
We will start a family


A boy for you
A son for you


And a girl for me
And a daughter for me


Can't you see how happy we would be?
Do you not see how cheerful we would become?


Picture you upon my knee
Imagine you sitting on my lap




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING CAESAR, VINCENT YOUMANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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