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.
Plenty to Be Thankful For
Irving Berlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I haven't got a great big yacht
To sail from shore to shore
Still I've got plenty to be thankful for
I've got plenty to be thankful for
No private car, no caviar
No carpet on my floor
I've got eyes to see with
Ears to hear with
Arms to hug with
Lips to kiss with
Someone to adore
How could anybody ask for more?
My needs are small, I buy them all
At the five and ten cent store
Oh, I've got plenty to be thankful for
In Irving Berlin's song "Plenty to Be Thankful For," the lyrics express a heartfelt gratitude for the simple joys and blessings in life. The singer acknowledges that they don't possess extravagant wealth or material possessions like a great big yacht or a private car, yet they find contentment and reasons to be grateful.
The opening lines emphasize the singer's lack of a luxurious lifestyle, as they don't have a grand yacht to sail from shore to shore. However, the lyrics suggest that material possessions aren't the source of true happiness and gratitude. Despite not having these lavish items, the singer realizes that they still have plenty to be thankful for.
The repeated refrain reinforces this gratitude, stressing that the singer has many reasons to be thankful. The absence of a private car, caviar, or even a carpet on the floor doesn't diminish their sense of contentment and appreciation. These lines highlight the importance of finding gratitude in the simplest aspects of life and not taking them for granted.
The subsequent verse explores the singer's appreciation for their physical senses and the people in their life. The mention of having eyes to see, ears to hear, arms to hug, and lips to kiss underscores the value they place on these abilities and the connections they enable. They express gratitude for having someone to adore, emphasizing the importance of love and companionship.
The concluding lines epitomize the singer's humble perspective on life. They question how anyone could ask for more when they have everything they need. The idea of buying their needs at the five and ten cent store further emphasizes their modest lifestyle. Through these lyrics, the song encourages listeners to appreciate the simplest joys in life and find contentment in the blessings they already possess.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got plenty to be thankful for
I have a lot of things to be grateful for in my life
I haven't got a great big yacht
I don't possess a luxurious yacht
To sail from shore to shore
In order to travel extensively by sea
Still I've got plenty to be thankful for
Despite not having extravagant possessions, I still have many reasons to be grateful
No private car, no caviar
I don't own a personal car or indulge in expensive caviar
No carpet on my floor
I don't have a luxurious carpet adorning my floor
Still I've got plenty to be thankful for
Nevertheless, I have numerous things in my life that bring me gratitude
I've got eyes to see with
I possess the ability to perceive things visually with my eyes
Ears to hear with
I have the capacity to hear sounds and voices with my ears
Arms to hug with
I am able to embrace and show affection with my arms
Lips to kiss with
My lips enable me to express intimacy and affection through kissing
Someone to adore
I have an individual whom I deeply love and admire
How could anybody ask for more?
It is difficult to imagine desiring additional blessings or gifts
My needs are small, I buy them all
I have modest necessities and can fulfill them without difficulty
At the five and ten cent store
I purchase my items from affordable stores that sell inexpensive goods
Oh, I've got plenty to be thankful for
Oh, indeed, I have countless things in my life to express gratitude for
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cryptic spunk
I've got plenty to be thankful for
I haven't got a great big yacht
To sail from shore to shore
Still I've got plenty to be thankful for
I've got plenty to be thankful for
No private car, no caviar
No carpet on my floor
Still I've got plenty to be thankful for
I've got eyes to see with
Ears to hear with
Arms to hug with
Lips to kiss with
Someone to adore
How could anybody ask for more?
My needs are small, I buy 'em all
At the five and ten cent store
Oh, I've got plenty to be thankful for
I've got eyes to see with
Ears to hear with
Arms to hug with
Lips to kiss with
Someone to adore
How could anybody ask for more?
My needs are small, I buy 'em all
At the five and ten cent store
Oh, I've got plenty to be thankful for
HotWax93
Can we just take a moment to appreciate just what a musical genius Irving Berlin was? Of all the Broadway and Tin Pan Alley composers of that era, he is hands down my favorite.
AngelSusie57
He was a musical genius. I love his music.
hebneh
I agree, and I kind of marvel at how thoroughly he caught the prevailing moods of the American public so successfully for so many decades. A huge number of his songs were hits.
HotWax93
@hebneh I can see that, between "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and "Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee" (with the lyrics, "Mr. Herbert Hoover says now's the time to buy.") And of course, "God Bless America," which he wrote around the time of WWI. Even George Gershwin said Irving Berlin was the greatest songwriter who ever lived.
Pretty Boy Thomasina
You can take a moment
hebneh
As I usually do annually, I’m listening to this on Thanksgiving.
Sister the Moon
I am tooo!
X FACTOR
Agreed, this is my official anthem for Thanksgiving
AngelSusie57
I love it. It's a wonderful song for Thanksgiving.
Nemo
Classic and so GLAD that this single got released to be able to be heard even this far into the future! :)