Lombardo formed The Royal Canadians in 1924 with his brothers Carmen Lombardo, Lebert Lombardo, and Victor Lombardo and other musicians from his hometown. Lombardo led the group to international success, billing themselves as creating "The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven." The Lombardos are believed to have sold between 100 and 300 million phonograph records during their lifetimes.
Bell Bottom Trousers
Guy Lombardo Lyrics
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And she loved a sailor boy, he was only three
Now he's on a battleship in his sailor suit
Just a great big sailor but she thinks he's very cute
(With his bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue
She loves her sailor and he loves her too)
Soldier boys all flirt with her but to him she's true
Though they smile and tip their caps and they wink their eyes
She just smiles and shakes her head, then she softly sighs
(Oh, bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue
She loves her sailor and he loves her too)
When her sailor went to sea to see what he could see
She saw that he ate spinach, now he's big as he can be
When he's home they stroll along, they don't give a hoot
She won't let go of his hand, even to salute
If her sailor she can't find on the bounding main
She is hopeful he will soon come home safe again
So they can get married and raise a family
Dress up all their kiddies in sailor's dungarees
(Oh, bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue
She loves her sailor and he loves her too)
The lyrics of Guy Lombardo's "Bell Bottom Trousers" tell the nostalgic story of a young girl and her affection for a sailor boy who once lived next door to her. The song opens with the singer describing how the girl fell in love with the sailor boy when he was only three years old, and how he now serves on a battleship dressed in his sailor suit with bell bottom trousers and a coat of navy blue. The girl continues to be smitten with the sailor, even when he is away at sea, and resists the advances of other soldier boys who try to flirt with her.
The second verse tells of how the sailor grew up eating spinach and becoming big and strong, which the girl fondly remembers when they stroll along together. The verse ends with the girl refusing to even let go of his hand to salute. The final verse has a hopeful tone as the girl looks forward to her sailor returning home safely so they can get married and raise a family. The lyrics even suggest the couple will dress their children in sailor's dungarees, carrying on the tradition that the sailor boy's uniform represents.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of innocence and romance, as well as a reverence for the navy and the idea of a sailor's dedication to duty and love for his sweetheart. The song serves as a tribute to those who have served in the navy and the sacrifices they make for their country and loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Once there was a little girl who lived next to me
There was a young girl who lived near Guy Lombardo and his family
And she loved a sailor boy, he was only three
The girl was in love with a young sailor who was just three years old
Now he's on a battleship in his sailor suit
The sailor, now grown and wearing a sailor uniform, is serving on a battleship
Just a great big sailor but she thinks he's very cute
The girl still finds the sailor attractive despite his grown-up size and occupation
When her sailor boy's away on the ocean blue
When the sailor is deployed and serving on the open sea
Soldier boys all flirt with her but to him she's true
Although other military men flirt with her, she remains true to her love for the sailor
Though they smile and tip their caps and they wink their eyes
Despite the advances from other soldiers being friendly and flirtatious, she shows no interest
She just smiles and shakes her head, then she softly sighs
The girl politely refuses any advances from others and longingly awaits the return of her sailor
When her sailor went to sea to see what he could see
When the sailor left for his deployment to explore the world
She saw that he ate spinach, now he's big as he can be
Upon his return, the girl notices that the sailor has grown and attributes it to his eating spinach
When he's home they stroll along, they don't give a hoot
When the sailor is on leave, they don't care about anything else but spending time together
She won't let go of his hand, even to salute
The girl's love for the sailor is so strong that she won't even let go of his hand to show proper military respect
If her sailor she can't find on the bounding main
If the sailor is missing at sea
She is hopeful he will soon come home safe again
The girl remains optimistic that the sailor will come back home safely
So they can get married and raise a family
So the couple can get married and start a family together
Dress up all their kiddies in sailor's dungarees
Dress their kids in sailor-themed clothing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Moe Jaffe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Admiral8Q
I love this song!