Jubilee
Harry James & His Orchestra Lyrics
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Ask me now that we're cozy and clinging
Well sir, all I can say, is if I were a bell I'd be ringing!
From the moment we kissed tonight
That's the way I've just gotta behave
Boy, if I were a lamp I'd light
And If I were a banner I'd wave!
Ask me how do I feel, little me with my quiet upbringing
Well sir, all I can say is if I were a gate I'd be swinging!
And if I were a watch I'd start popping my springs!
Or if I were a bell I'd go ding dong, ding dong ding!
Ask me how do I feel from this chemistry lesson I'm learning.
Well sir, all I can say is if I were a bridge I'd be burning!
Well, I knew my moral would crack
From the wonderful way that you looked!
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack!
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked!
Ask me how do I feel, ask me now that we're fondly caressing
Well, if I were a salad I know I'd be splashing my dressing
Ask me how to describe this whole beautiful thing
Well, if I were a bell I'd go ding dong, ding dong ding!
The song "Jubilee" by Harry James and His Orchestra speaks about the overwhelming nostalgia and memories that resurface when a certain song, in this case "Begin the Beguine," is played. The lyrics describe how the sound of the music takes the singer back to a night of tropical splendor, with an orchestra playing by the shore. Even the swaying palms synchronize with the rhythm of the music, making the experience all the more magical.
The singer is transported to a moment in time when he and his lover swore never to part, promising to love each other forever. But as life would have it, it wasn't meant to be, and the clouds of reality dispersed the joy that they had found. Hence, the singer urges the musicians not to begin the Beguine and reopen those old wounds, hoping that the love that was once a fire, will remain an ember and sleep like the dead desire he remembers, and not be rekindled.
The lyrics describe an enamoring blend of the romantic and the nostalgic, painting vivid imagery with every word. The power of music to evoke emotions and memories is beautifully captured through the song, leaving an everlasting impression on all who listen to it.
Line by Line Meaning
When they begin the beguine
The song 'Beguine' reminds me of a tender night of music and tropical splendor, and brings back an evergreen memory.
It brings back the sound of music so tender
The song 'Beguine' brings back the memory of a soft and gentle night of music.
It brings back a night of tropical splendor
The song 'Beguine' evokes a memory of a beautiful and exotic tropical night.
It brings back a memory ever green
The song 'Beguine' reminds me of a memory that is always fresh and never fades.
I'm with you once more under the stars
The song 'Beguine' takes me back to a time when I was with someone special under the stars.
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
The sound of an orchestra playing by the shore adds to the memory of this special moment.
And even the palms seem to be swaying
The atmosphere of the night is so magical that even the palm trees seem to sway along with the music.
To live it again is past all endeavor
Trying to relive the same magical moment is impossible and beyond all attempts.
Except when that tune clutches my heart
The only time I am able to feel the same emotions as I did that night is when I hear the song 'Beguine.'
And there we are, swearing to love forever
The song 'Beguine' takes me back to making promises of eternal love with that special someone.
And promising never, never to part
The memory of that special moment is forever associated with the promise of never separating from each other.
What moments divine, what rapture serene
That special night was filled with heavenly moments and peaceful bliss.
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted
Unfortunately, the happiness of that night was short-lived, and troubles soon followed to take it away.
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
When I hear people speaking about wasting an opportunity, I can truly understand the feeling associated with it.
I know but too well what they mean
I can empathize with their feeling of regret and missed opportunities.
So don't let them begin the beguine
To avoid feeling the pain of missed opportunities, it's better to not listen to the song 'Beguine' at all.
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember
Instead of trying to rekindle a love that has faded away, it's better to let it be a faint ember in the memory.
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
Like a long-dead desire, it's better to let the love only be remembered as a memory.
Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, please make them play
Although it brings back painful memories, it's tempting to listen to the song and relive those moments.
Till the stars that were there before return above you
Listening to the song 'Beguine' can transport someone back to the same time and place and relive those sweet memories.
Till you whisper to me once more, 'Darling, I love you'
The song 'Beguine' can make someone feel like their loved one is whispering sweet nothings to them once again.
Then we suddenly know what heaven we're in
Listening to the song 'Beguine' can make someone feel like they're in heaven and experience those special moments again.
When they begin the, begin the, begin the beguine
The repeated phrase emphasizes the magical and hypnotic effect of the melody of the song 'Beguine.'
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PHIL MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind