Tea for Two
Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The song "Tea for Two" by Ella Fitzgerald is about a couple who dream of a peaceful and private life together. They are discontented with the homes they've lived in before and have decided to invent and build their own ideal home, in a cozy and quiet place, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The couple imagines a life together with just the two of them, enjoying each other's company over tea, without any friends or family interfering. They dream of privacy and a place where they can raise a family together.
The lyrics portray a picture of an idealized and romanticized performance of the feelings of two people who are deeply in love. The song is about the possibility of creating an intimate and peaceful life only for two people who care about each other, the harmonious tea for two format is a metaphor for the domestic bounds of that alliance of love which they desire.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm discontented with homes that I've rented
I'm unhappy with rented homes I've lived in
So I have invented my own
So, I created my own home
Darling, this place is a lovely oasis
My dear, this place is a beautiful haven
Where life's weary taste is unknown
Where the bitterness of life is unheard of
Far from the crowded city
Distant from the bustling city
Where flowers pretty caress the stream
A place where beautiful flowers adorn the streams
Cozy to hide in, to live side by side in
A cozy place to hide in and live together
Don't let it apart in my dream
Don't let it get separated in my dream
Picture me upon your knee
Imagine me sitting on your lap
Just tea for two
Only the two of us having tea
And two for tea
And two cups set out for us to enjoy tea together
Just me for you
Only me, your company, for you
And you for me alone
And you, my only companion
Nobody near us to see us or hear us
No one else around to observe or listen to us
No friends or relations
We do not require any friends or relatives
On weekend vacations
Even on weekend getaways
We won't have it known
We'll keep it a secret
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'll rise
And start to bake a sugar cake
And begin to bake a cake with sugar
For you to take for all the boys to see
For you to take and show off to everyone
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 see how happy we could be?
Picture you upon my knee
Imagine you sitting on my lap
Just tea for two
Only the two of us having tea together
And two for tea
And two cups prepared for tea
Just me for you
Only me, your companion, for you
And you for me alone
And you, my only companion
Nobody near us to see us or hear us
No one else around to observe or listen to us
No friends or relations
We do not require any friends or relatives
On weekend vacations
Even on weekend getaways
We won't have it known
We'll keep it a secret
That we own a telephone, dear
That we have a telephone, my love
Day will break, you'll wake
Morning will come, and you'll rise
And start to bake a sugar cake
And begin to bake a cake with sugar
For you to take for all the boys to see
For you to take and show off to everyone
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
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind