1. A German composer
2. A … Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists with this name:
1. A German composer
2. A British pop singer
1. Engelbert Humperdinck (German pronunciation: [ˈɛŋl̩bɛʁt ˈhʊmpɐdɪŋk]) (1 September 1854 – 27 September 1921) was a German composer, best known for his opera, Hänsel und Gretel. Humperdinck was born at Siegburg in the Rhine Province; at the age of 67 he died in Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
2. Engelbert Humperdinck (born Arnold George Dorsey; 2 May 1936) is a British pop singer, best known for his hits including "Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)" and "After the Lovin'" as well as "The Last Waltz" ("The Last Waltz with You").
Humperdinck represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.
Handbags & Gladrags
Engelbert Humperdinck Lyrics
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trying to make the other side
Ever seen a young girl growing old
trying to make herself a bride
So what becomes of you my love
When they have finally stripped you of
The handbags and the gladrags
that your poor old Granddad had to sweat to buy you
Once I was a young man
and all I thought I had to do was smile
Well you are still a young girl
and you bought everything in style
But once you think you're in you're out
'cause you don't mean a single thing without
the handbags and the gladrags
that your poor old Granddad had to sweat to buy you
Sing a song of six-pence for your sake
And drink a bottle full of rye
Four and twenty blackbirds in a cake
And bake them all in a pie
They told me you missed school today
So what I suggest you just throw them all away
the handbags and the gladrags
that your poor old Granddad had to sweat to buy
They told me you missed school today
So what I suggest is you just throw them all away
the handbags and the gladrags
that your poor old Granddad had to sweat to buy you
In Engelbert Humperdinck's song "Handbags and Gladrags," the lyrics are a commentary on the fleeting nature of material possessions and the idea that true worth and value lies in something deeper. The song opens with the image of a blind man crossing the road, signifying the difficulty of navigating through life's challenges. The second verse shifts the focus to a young girl who is trying to make herself into a bride, further emphasizing society's expectations and pressures. The chorus repeats the phrase "handbags and gladrags," which refers to the lavish and expensive possessions that the girl had accumulated but ultimately mean nothing.
In the third verse, the singer reflects on his own past naivete, where he believed that all he had to do was smile to be successful. However, he realizes that material possessions don't hold true value and that one can easily be cast aside if they lack them. The fourth verse contains a reference to the nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence," which speaks to the notion that one's worth is not defined by what they have but who they are. The song ends on the same note, with the singer advising the girl to throw away her handbags and gladrags and focus on that which has true value.
Overall, "Handbags and Gladrags" is a song that encourages listeners to prioritize what truly matters in life and not get caught up in the superficiality of material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever seen a blind man cross the road
Have you ever witnessed a person who is visually impaired trying to cross a road?
trying to make the other side
Attempting to reach the other end of the road.
Ever seen a young girl growing old
Have you ever observed a young girl aging?
trying to make herself a bride
Striving to get married.
So what becomes of you my love
What will happen to you, my dear?
When they have finally stripped you of
After they have taken away from you
The handbags and the gladrags
The expensive and fashionable clothes and accessories
that your poor old Granddad had to sweat to buy you
That your elderly grandfather had to work hard to purchase for you.
Once I was a young man
In the past, I was a young man
and all I thought I had to do was smile
And believed that simply smiling was enough to succeed.
Well you are still a young girl
You are still a young woman
and you bought everything in style
And you purchased everything stylishly.
But once you think you're in you're out
But as soon as you think you are part of something, you are excluded.
‘cause you don't mean a single thing without
Because you are insignificant without
the handbags and the gladrags
The expensive and fashionable clothes and accessories
that your poor old Granddad had to sweat to buy you
That your elderly grandfather had to work hard to purchase for you.
Sing a song of six-pence for your sake
Singing a song for your own benefit.
And drink a bottle full of rye
And drinking a complete bottle of rye whiskey.
Four and twenty blackbirds in a cake
Baking twenty-four blackbirds into a cake.
And bake them all in a pie
And cooking them all in a pie.
They told me you missed school today
I was informed that you did not attend school today.
So what I suggest you just throw them all away
So, I suggest that you throw them all away.
the handbags and the gladrags
The expensive and fashionable clothes and accessories
that your poor old Granddad had to sweat to buy
That your elderly grandfather had to work hard to purchase for you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael d'Abo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eva Viezel
I absolutely love this!
Pat Salvucci
Excellent version!