Let Me Sing And I'm Happy
Irving Berlin Lyrics

The lyrics of Irving Berlin's song "Let Me Sing And I'm Happy" are a declaration of the joy and power of music. The singer expresses their indifference towards the important affairs of the world, stating that as long as they are able to sing popular songs, they are content. The lyrics highlight the healing and transformative effects of music on the human soul, as the singer proclaims their desire to sing happy, sad, and low-down blues songs that evoke different emotions in the listener. They acknowledge the power of music to connect people to their home or heritage, as well as to lift them out of sadness and into joy.

The first stanza establishes the singer's apathy towards political matters and their strong attachment to music. They do not care about who makes the laws of a nation or who is responsible for the world's affairs, as long as they are able to sing the popular songs that bring them happiness. The second stanza reveals the singer's desire to sing songs that elicit different emotional responses from the listener. They want to sing a sunny song with crazy words that make people laugh, or a sad song that moves them to cry. They also express their love for the blues, a type of music that speaks directly to the struggles and sorrows of the human experience.

The final stanza mentions Dixie's charms, cotton fields, and Mammy's arms, indicating the singer's affection for their southern roots. They recognize that music has the power to evoke nostalgia and longing for home, and they want to use their singing to connect with others who feel the same way. The overall message of the song is clear: music is a powerful force that has the ability to make people happy, sad, and everything in between. The singer's desire to share their love of music speaks to the universal appeal of this art form, which has the power to unite people across cultures and generations.