I Can't Dance
Jack Harris and His Orchestra Lyrics


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Our romance won't end on a sorrowful note,
Though by tomorrow you're gone;
The song is ended, but as the songwriter wrote,
The melody lingers on.
They may take you from me, I'll miss your fond caress.
But though they take you from me, I'll still possess.

The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no, they can't take that away from me

The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no, they can't take that away from me

We may never, never meet again
On the bumpy road to love
Still, I'll always, always keep the memory of

The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No, no, they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away from me

We may never, never meet again
On the bumpy road to love
Still, I'll always, always keep the memory of

The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No, no, they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away




Can't take that away
Can't take that away from me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jack Harris and His Orchestra's "I Can't Dance" paint a poignant picture of a romance that is faced with the imminent departure of a loved one. The singer acknowledges that their time together is coming to an end, but insists that their love story will not conclude on a sorrowful note. Despite the impending separation, the melody of their love will continue to linger on, echoing the sentiments of the songwriter who immortalized their connection in music.


The nostalgia and longing for the beloved are palpable in the verses that follow. The singer enumerates the intimate details and idiosyncrasies that define their partner, from the way they wear their hat to the way they sip their tea. These seemingly small nuances are cherished and immortalized in memory, symbolizing the enduring essence of their bond. The refrain "No, no, they can't take that away from me" serves as a defiant declaration of the singer's determination to hold onto these cherished memories, even in the face of separation.


The acknowledgment of the possibility that they may never cross paths again on the tumultuous journey of love adds a sense of wistfulness to the narrative. Despite the uncertainties of the future, the singer vows to eternally treasure the memories of their time together. The imagery of holding a knife, dancing till three, and the transformative impact of their relationship further underscore the depth of emotion and significance of their connection.


In the final repetition of the chorus, the singer reaffirms their conviction that no external forces can strip away the memories and emotions that bind them to their beloved. The repetition of "No, they can't take that away from me" carries a resolute tone, emphasizing the enduring nature of love and the indelible mark that a significant relationship leaves on one's life. The song encapsulates a bittersweet reflection on love, loss, and the enduring power of memories that transcend time and distance.


Line by Line Meaning

Our romance won't end on a sorrowful note,
Our love story will not conclude sadly,


Though by tomorrow you're gone;
Even if you leave by tomorrow;


The song is ended, but as the songwriter wrote,
The music may stop, but as the composer intended,


The melody lingers on.
The essence of our love remains.


They may take you from me, I'll miss your fond caress.
You may be taken away from me, I'll long for your touch.


But though they take you from me, I'll still possess.
But even if they separate us, I'll still hold you in my heart.


The way you wear your hat
Your style of wearing a hat


The way you sip your tea
Your manner of drinking tea


The memory of all that
The recollection of those moments


No, no, they can't take that away from me
No one can diminish the significance of those memories for me


The way your smile just beams
The radiance of your smile


The way you sing off key
Your imperfect singing


The way you haunt my dreams
How you visit my dreams


We may never, never meet again
We might never cross paths


On the bumpy road to love
During the challenging journey of love


Still, I'll always, always keep the memory of
I'll forever hold onto the memories of


The way you hold your knife
Your method of holding a knife


The way we danced till three
How we danced until three in the morning


The way you changed my life
How you influenced my life


No, no, they can't take that away from me
Those experiences will never lose their importance to me


Can't take that away
Cannot diminish those memories


Can't take that away from me
Can't erase those memories from my heart




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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