Frenchman in St. Louis
Jack Pleis and His Orchestra Lyrics


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When Louis came home to the flat,
He hung up his coat and his hat,
He gazed all around, but no wifey he found,
So he said "where can Flossie be at?"
A note on the table he spied,
He read it just once, then he cried.
It ran, "Louis dear, it's too slow for for me hear,
So I think I will go for a ride."

"Meet me in St. Louis, Louis,
Meet me at the fair,
Don't tell me the lights are shining
any place but there,
We will dance the Hoochee Koochee,
I will be your tootsie wootsie,
If you will meet in St. Louis, Louis,
Meet me at the fair."

The dresses that hung in the hall,
Were gone, she had taken them all,
She took all his rings and the rest of his things,
The picture he missed from the wall.
"What! moving!" the janitor said,
"Your rent is paid three months ahead."
"What good is the flat?" said poor Louis, "Read that."
And the janitor smiled as he read.

"Meet me in St. Louis, Louis,
Meet me at the fair,
Don't tell me the lights are shining
any place but there,
We will dance the Hoochee Koochee,
I will be your tootsie wootsie,




If you will meet in St. Louis, Louis,
Meet me at the fair."

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Meet Me In St. Louis, Louis" by Jack Pleis and His Orchestra tell the story of Louis, who returns home and finds a note from his wife Flossie, which says she has left him and gone to St. Louis. The note explains that she has left because Louis is moving too slowly in their relationship, and she wants to go and have a good time at the fair in St. Louis. Louis is heartbroken by this, and realizes that Flossie has taken all of their belongings with her, including his rings and a picture from the wall. The janitor tells him that his rent is paid for three months, but Louis is still upset about the situation.


The lyrics depict a relationship moving too slowly and one partner wanting to break free and enjoy themselves. It shows how easy it is for people to become dissatisfied with their current situation and to want to break free and try something new. Furthermore, the lyrics play on the idea of temptation and a faster-paced lifestyle being more appealing than the current situation.


Line by Line Meaning

When Louis came home to the flat,
Louis arrived at his residence.


He hung up his coat and his hat,
He put his coat and hat on the hook or hanger.


He gazed all around, but no wifey he found,
He looked everywhere but his wife was nowhere to be seen.


So he said "where can Flossie be at?"
Louis questioned where his wife, Flossie, could have gone.


A note on the table he spied,
He saw a note on the table.


He read it just once, then he cried.
Louis read the note and became emotional.


It ran, "Louis dear, it's too slow for for me hear,
The note stated that Flossie was leaving because Louis was too dull.


So I think I will go for a ride."
Flossie decided to take a trip.


"Meet me in St. Louis, Louis,
The note requested Louis to meet Flossie in St. Louis.


Meet me at the fair,
Flossie wanted Louis to meet her at the fair.


Don't tell me the lights are shining
Flossie was specific that Louis should not express the presence of lights elsewhere.


any place but there,
She wanted to have a private moment with Louis at the fair.


We will dance the Hoochee Koochee,
Flossie planned to dance the Hoochee Koochee dance with Louis.


I will be your tootsie wootsie,
Flossie promised to be Louis's sweetheart.


If you will meet in St. Louis, Louis,
Flossie would meet Louis at St. Louis, but only if he agrees.


"Meet me at the fair."
Flossie reiterated the need for Louis to meet her at the fair.


The dresses that hung in the hall,
Flossie took all of her dresses from the hall.


Were gone, she had taken them all,
Flossie took all her dresses while leaving Louis.


She took all his rings and the rest of his things,
Flossie took all of Louis's belongings except for a picture on the wall.


The picture he missed from the wall.
Louis noticed that the only thing Flossie did not take was the picture on the wall.


"What! Moving!" the janitor said,
The janitor was surprised at the sudden move out of Louis and Flossie.


"Your rent is paid three months ahead."
The janitor informed Louis that he had already paid his rent for the next three months.


"What good is the flat?" said poor Louis, "Read that."
Louis was in despair and asked the janitor to read Flossie's note again.


And the janitor smiled as he read.
The janitor found amusement in Louis's predicament and smiled.




Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: KERRY MILLS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

ArtDecoChap

(In answer to your enquiry on my channel) Damn - this is a NICE piece. I'm afraid I have no info on Jack Pleis - except I have seen his name before, backing artists in the Fifties. Like f'rinstance, the Kalin Twins' "When" and "Three O'Clock Thrill". Cheers, Mike.

1uptospeed

man with this tune im ready for the movie to start ! thanks irh1966

lrh1966

@ArtDecoChap Thank you for checking out this obscure 78 record, and artist. I think he might have also backed for Bill Haley at times during the 50's, since both were on Decca label?...Friends, Lloyd.

lrh1966

@spacepatrolman I will have to get a copy of that song sometime(Preferably on original mint 45, or 78 record!!). Thank you for checking this song out...Friends, Lloyd.

lrh1966

@1uptospeed Thank you for checking it out...Friends, Lloyd.

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