Born in East Orange, New Jersey, MacRae made his Broadway debut in the mid-1940s, acquiring his first recording contract soon afterwards. Many of his hit recordings were made with Jo Stafford. It was in 1948 that he appeared in his first film, The Big Punch, a non-musical boxing drama. He soon began an on-screen partnership with Doris Day and appeared with her in several films. In 1953, he starred opposite Kathryn Grayson in the third film version of The Desert Song. This was followed by starring appearances in two major films of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, Oklahoma! (1955) and Carousel (1956), both opposite Shirley Jones.
Tea For Two
Gordon MacRae Lyrics
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Just tea for two and two for tea
Me for you and you for me alone
Nobody near us
To see us or hear us
No friends or relations
On weekend vacations
That we own a telephone (oh, I hate telephones) (yeah, me too)
Day will break and you'll awake
And start to bake a sugar cake
For me to take
To all the boys to see
Oh, we will raise a family
A boy for you, a girl for me
Oh, can't you see
How happy we would be?
(Oh, hit me with that tag)
We will raise a family
A boy for you, six little girlies for me
Can't you see
How happy we would be?
The song "Tea for Two" by Gordon MacRae is filled with sentiments about wanting to create the perfect home and life with one's beloved. The lyrics convey a sense of dissatisfaction with the life that the singer currently leads and the desire to create a better one. The first line in the song, "I'm discontented with homes that are rented so I have invented my own," captures this sense of wanting to create something better for oneself. The singer describes a place that is a "lover's oasis" where the lights they chase are unknown. This vision of a perfect home is far from the cry of the city where flowers pretty caress the stream, and it is cozy to hide in and live side by side without anything getting in their way.
The second part of the song goes into more detail about what life in this perfect home would look like. The singer imagines a world where they can be alone without anyone near to see or hear them or to disturb their peace. They want to be able to go on weekend vacations where they won't have to worry about anyone knowing they own a telephone. The idea is to create a life that is just for them, without any outside distractions or influences. They dream of raising a family, with a boy for her and a girl for him, and they can already picture a future where they are all happy together.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm discontented with homes that are rented so I have invented my own,
I am unhappy with living in rented homes thus I have created a home of my own.
Darling this place is a lover's oasis where lights where we chase is unknown,
My love, this location is a paradise where no one knows us and where we can follow our own whims.
Far from the cry of the city where flowers pretty caress the stream,
We are far removed from the noise of the city, where beautiful flowers soothe us by a stream.
Cozy to hide in, to live side by side in, don't let it abide in my dream.
It is a cozy place where we can live harmoniously together. I hope this doesn't remain as a dream.
Picture you upon my knee, just tea for two, and two for tea.
I envision you with me, sharing just a small teapot of tea that serves both of us.
Just me for you, and you for me alone.
It is only you for me, and me for you, with no one else in our lives.
Nobody near us, to see and to hear us, no friends or relations
We prefer being alone without anyone to watch and listen to us, not even our friends and family.
On weekend vacations, we won't have it known, dear, that we own a telephone, dear.
During our weekend getaways, we will keep our privacy by not letting anybody know that we own a phone.
They will brake (?) and you'll awake, and start to bake a sugar cake.
The windows will be broken, and you will wake up to make a sugar cake.
For me to take for all the boys to see.
I'll take it to show our children and make them happy.
We will raise a family, a boy for you and a girl for me,
We will start a family with a son for you and a daughter for me.
Can't you see how happy we will be.
Can't you imagine how much happier we'll be? It will be worth it.
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lais Albuquerque
Picture you upon my knee
Just tea for two
And two for tea
Just me for you
And you for me...alone
[JIMMY:]
I'm discontented with homes that I've rented
So I have invented my own.
Darling, this place is 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 you upon my knee
Just tea for two
And two for tea
Just me for you
And you for me alone
[NANETTE:]
Nobody near us to see us or hear us Mm, mm, mm,
No friends or relations Mm, mm, mm,
On weekend vacations Mm, mm, mm.
We won't have it known, dear,
That we own a telephone, dear...
[NANETTE:]
Day will break and I'll wake
And start to bake a sugar cake
For you to take for all the boys to see
[BOTH:]
We'll raise a family
[JIMMY:]
A boy for you
And a girl for me
[BOTH:]
Can't you see how happy we would be...
Colin Bell Vintage Hymns&Songs
Will we ever hear such a beautiful baritone voice like this again?
Tim Pyle
Probably not. Those days are gone. Farewell.
Diane Frank
Have been a fan of Gordon MacRae since 1947…before “The Railroad Hour,” radio show, and now at the age of nearly 86 I still get a thrill when I see and hear him and that fabulous voice! So sad he died much too young.
billdarby1
The intro verse to this song is spectacular and more beautiful than the actual song itself. And does Gordon McCrea ever deliver it to Doris Day! I can't even describe how wonderful his voice is!
richard gornalle
Gordon MacRae had a "superior" voice, great technique and sound. Doris Day was a wonderful singer. Love all her work.
Jackie Mcmeekin
I always loved this song. The words are so romantic. Gordon and Doris perform it so well. Doris Day did mot have good marriages. But she rose above it and never let it affect her movie roles! 🥰👍
Mary Burt
Two wonderful simgers
John Lewis
What a lovely version of a great song by two wonderful singers. May they RIP.
Jim Southern
This song was a favorite of my 8th grade Jr. Hi. choir back in 1956. Still love it, and watching Gordon and Doris give it it's just presentation is even better!!
MARIA LIS DUARTE ROJAS
PRECIOSA CANCIO'N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ARTISTAS QUE YA
SON LEYENDAS
EN LA HISTORIA DEL
CINE MUSICAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
B R A V O !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!