Starting in 1931 and continuing through the 1950s, MacDonald did regular concert tours between films. Her first European tour was in 1931, where she sang in both France and England. Her first American concert tour was in 1939, immediately after the completion of Broadway Serenade and Nelson Eddy's marriage. After that she, like him, did frequent U.S. tours between films. She sang several times at the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall.
MacDonald recorded more than 90 songs during her career, working exclusively for RCA-Victor in the United States. She also did some early recordings for HMV in England and France while she was there on a concert tour in 1931. She earned numerous Gold Records, one for an LP album that she did with Nelson Eddy in 1957.
MacDonald died on January 14, 1965 at 4:32 p.m., at the age of 61 after a long battle with heart problems, with her husband Gene Raymond at her bedside.
Serenade
Jeanette MacDonald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the fair senorita doesn't seem to care
For the song in the air.
Oh, I'll sing to the mule
If you're sure she won't think that I am just a fool
Serenading a mule.
Amigo mio, does she not have a dainty bray?
She listens carefully to each little tune you play.
Oh, la bella senorita!
Si, si, mi muchachito,
She'd love to sing it too if only she knew the way.
But try as she may, in her voice there's a flaw
And all that the lady can say
Is hee-haw-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w
Senorita, donkey's feet are
Not so fleet as a mosquito
But so sweet like my chiquita
You're the one for me!
There's a light in her eye
Though she may try to hide it, she cannot deny
There's a light in her eye.
Oh, the charm of her smile
So beguiled Don Diego that he rode a mile
For the charm of her smile.
Amigo mio, is she listening to my song?
Que, esta?
No, no, mi muchachito, how can you be so wrong?
Si, la bella senorita!
Si, si, la senorita,
She'd love to sing it too if only she knew the way.
Her face is a dream, like an angel I saw,
And all that my darling can scream
Is hee-haw-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w
Senorita, donkey's feet are
Not so fleet as a mosquito
But so sweet like my chiquita
You're the one for me!
Ole!
"The Donkey Serenade" is a playful and humorous song by Jeanette MacDonald about a lovestruck gentleman who is trying to woo a senorita with his music but she seems uninterested. The lyrics describe the singer’s attempts to serenade the senorita using his music, but is forced to settle for singing to the mule due to the senorita's lack of interest. The song is filled with witty wordplay and a lighthearted melody.
The singer of the song sings to the donkey in an attempt to catch the attention of the senorita. He lets out his feelings for the senorita through his singing and hopes that she will hear the message. The lyrics also explore the character of the senorita, who is described as having a "flaw" in her voice that leads her to make donkey-like sounds. Despite this, the singer sees her as a "dream" and "like an angel."
Line by Line Meaning
There's a song in the air
The atmosphere is filled with a melody
But the fair senorita doesn't seem to care
However, the lady appears indifferent towards the music
For the song in the air.
Despite the delightful tune playing in the background.
Oh, I'll sing to the mule
Instead of feeling down, I choose to sing to the donkey
If you're sure she won't think that I am just a fool
As long as you're positive she won't judge me for doing so
Serenading a mule.
Having a serenade session with the animal.
Amigo mio, does she not have a dainty bray?
My friend, does she not have a pleasant way of braying?
Que, esta?
What's that?
She listens carefully to each little tune you play.
She's paying close attention to every single tune you sing.
Oh, la bella senorita!
Oh, the beautiful lady!
Si, si, mi muchachito,
Yes, yes, my little friend
She'd love to sing it too if only she knew the way.
She would also like to join in the singing if only she knew how.
But try as she may, in her voice there's a flaw
Unfortunately, her voice has a flaw despite her efforts.
And all that the lady can say
And the only thing the lady can release from her vocal cords.
Is hee-haw-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w
Is a series of 'hee-haw' sounds.
Senorita, donkey's feet are
Miss, the feet of a donkey are not as fast.
Not so fleet as a mosquito
They don't run as fast as mosquitos fly
But so sweet like my chiquita
But they are still so adorable and desirable like my beloved one
You're the one for me!
You are the perfect companion for me.
There's a light in her eye
Despite her vocal flaw, there's still a spark in her eyes.
Though she may try to hide it, she cannot deny
She might attempt to mask it, but it's impossible for her to conceal the fact.
There's a light in her eye.
That there's enthusiasm and joy within her spirit.
Oh, the charm of her smile
The smile on her face is very appealing.
So beguiled Don Diego that he rode a mile
It was so captivating that Don Diego rode for an entire mile towards it.
For the charm of her smile.
For the appeal of her smile.
Amigo mio, is she listening to my song?
My friend, is she paying attention to my singing?
Que, esta?
What's that?
No, no, mi muchachito, how can you be so wrong?
No, no, my little friend, you're mistaken.
Si, la bella senorita!
Yes, the beautiful lady!
Si, si, la senorita,
Yes, yes, the lady
She'd love to sing it too if only she knew the way.
She would like to sing it too but she needs assistance.
Her face is a dream, like an angel I saw,
Her appearance is like a dream, exactly the resemblance of the angel I saw.
And all that my darling can scream
And amidst the attempt to sing along,
Is hee-haw-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w
She can only produce a series of 'hee-haw' sounds.
Senorita, donkey's feet are
Miss, the feet of the donkey is not as quick.
Not so fleet as a mosquito
They don't move as fast as a mosquito does
But so sweet like my chiquita
But they are still so adorable like my sweetheart
You're the one for me!
You are the perfect companion for me.
Ole!
A Spanish exclamation of joy: Hurray!
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chet Forrest, Rudolf Friml, Herbert Stothart, Bob Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind