If What You Say Is True
Jack Teagarden and His Orchestra Lyrics

The song “If What You Say is True” by Jack Teagarden and His Orchestra is a nostalgic tribute to the American South, specifically Dixie and Swanee. The lyrics pose a series of questions, asking whether the romanticized and idyllic images of these places are true or not. The song yearns for a simpler time, where the sun always shines, the sweet magnolias bloom, and life is so carefree that people can eat possum until they can't eat anymore. The lyrics also express a desire to belong in Swanee, where life is apparently filled with love and laughter as depicted in songs.

However, the song is not simply a wistful love song for the South. It also touches upon themes of nostalgia, romanticized idealization of a place, and the yearning for belonging. The lyrics capture a sense of longing for a place that may not exist anymore or was never really true to begin with. It's a reflection of how memories and emotions can color our perception of a place or time, creating a perfect image that may not have ever existed.

Overall, “If What You Say is True” is a heartfelt and sentimental song that paints a picture of a romanticized South, but also acknowledges the complexities and nuances of nostalgia and longing.