Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
Let's Take an Old Fashion Walk
Irving Berlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a tale could be told if we went for an old fashioned walk.
Let's take a stroll through the park, down a lane where it's dark
And a heart that's controlled, may relax on an old fashioned walk.
I know for a couple who seem to be miles apart,
There's nothing like walking and having a "heart to heart."
I know a girl who declined, couldn't make up her mind.
In Irving Berlin’s “Let’s Take an Old Fashioned Walk,” the singer urges their companion to take a leisurely stroll down memory lane while walking in a charming park. The song is a nostalgic throwback, with lyrics that reminisce on simpler times when relationships were built through face-to-face conversations and not through digital devices. The opening lyrics, “Let’s take an old-fashioned walk, I’m just bursting with talk,” suggests the singer’s eagerness to slow down and connect on a deeper level. Through the use of vivid imagery and a catchy tune, Berlin reminds the audience of the importance of spending quality time with loved ones.
The song also highlights the importance of establishing an emotional connection by sharing moments of vulnerability, which can help bring people closer together. The line, “For a couple who seem to be miles apart, there's nothing like walking and having a ‘heart-to-heart,’” emphasizes how a simple act of walking side by side can help bridge emotional distance. The mention of a girl who declined the invitation to take a walk, only to regret it later reinforces the song's message of enjoying the simple moments in life and creating cherished memories.
Overall, "Let's Take an Old Fashioned Walk" is a celebration of old-fashioned romance and human connection. It emphasizes the idea that sometimes what we need to reconnect with loved ones is nothing more than a leisurely walk and a heartfelt conversation.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's take an old fashioned walk, I'm just bursting with talk.
I suggest we go for a walk, I'm full of things I want to tell you.
What a tale could be told if we went for an old fashioned walk.
We could have a great time and create wonderful memories if we took a walk together.
Let's take a stroll through the park, down a lane where it's dark
We can walk through the park and a quiet street that's not well-lit.
And a heart that's controlled, may relax on an old fashioned walk.
A calm and composed heart can find peace while taking a leisurely walk.
I know for a couple who seem to be miles apart,
I understand that some couples feel distant and disconnected from each other.
There's nothing like walking and having a 'heart to heart.'
Talking while walking is a great way to connect and have a meaningful conversation.
I know a girl who declined, couldn't make up her mind.
I know a girl who refused to go for a walk, perhaps because she was undecided about something.
She was wrapped up and sold, coming home from an old fashioned walk.
But after going on a walk, she was completely won over and came back home happy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LotteDecraene
Let's take an old-fashioned walk
I'm just bursting with talk
What a tale could be told
If we went for an old-fashioned walk
Let's take a stroll through the park
Down a lane where it's dark
And a heart that's controlled
May relax on an old-fashioned walk
I know for a couple
Who seem to be miles apart
There's nothing like walking
And having a heart to heart
I know a girl who declined
Couldn't make up her mind
She was wrapped up and sold
Coming home from an old-fashioned walk
Some couples go for a buggy ride
When they start caring a lot
Others will bicycle side by side
Way out to some romantic spot
But when you haven't to sew
There's only one thing to do
Let's take an old fashioned walk
I'm just bursting with talk
What a tale could be told
If we went for an old-fashioned walk
Let's take a stroll through the park
Down a lane where it's dark
And a heart that's controlled
May relax on an old-fashioned walk
I know for a couple
Who seem to be miles apart
There's nothing like walking
And having a heart to heart
I know a girl who declined
Couldn't make up her mind
She was wrapped up and sold
Coming home from an old-fashioned walk
If your girl has declined
And won't make up her mind
What you need is a heart to heart talk
Take a stroll through a park
Down a lane where it's dark
And go for an old fashioned walk
@lindaeasley4336
I love all these classic songs from the early American song composers like Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Johnny Mercer. What talent ! 👍
@andyguy0610
Drop dead pretty and a fantastic voice, Doris Day was one in a million. I never tire of hearing her sing, RIP Doris
@jackiemcmeekin6551
Irving Berlin wrote so many great songs. This one, Easter Parade, White Christmas, God Bless America, to name a few! Doris and Frank harmonize so well singing this romantic song!!! I would have liked to take an “old fashioned walk” with Frank Sinatra! Thank you so much, ‘little hours’, for this great upload! 🥰👍☺️
@Geo408
Classic, especially when your in Love. Thanks Frank & Doris.
@strew8
Thanks for giving me a little view in my past music listening. These two sure went together great. Thanks for posting!!!!
@johngordon2933
Irving Berlin could really write a song....
And Sinatra and Day are letter perfect.
@kennethfreund123
This 1949 duet with Doris outshines any from Frank's Duets albums from 1993-94.. Just perfect for the times. Wonderful orchestration with Great harmonic touches from the vocalists. As Frank once opined on another subject: "You can wait around and hope, but you're not going to hear the likes of this again".
@1918voixdesonmaitre
Good stuff!
@dchern
perfection
@leonchildsjr8690
in memory of Doris Day (1922-2019)