San Francisco
Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy Lyrics
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This great big world to make a place you love
My home up on the hill
I find I love you still
I've been away but now I'm back to tell you
San Francisco
Open your golden gate
San Francisco
Here is your wandering one
Saying I'll wander no more
Other places only make me love you best
Tell me you're the heart of all the golden west
San Francisco
Welcome me home again
I'm coming home
To go roaming no more
The lyrics of Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy's song San Francisco speak of a love for a place where one considers home. The singer talks about how it only takes a small corner of the world to make a place one loves, and that for them, that place is up on the hill. Although they have been away for some time and roam to other places, they know that San Francisco is the place they love the best. The singer pleads with San Francisco to welcome them back home again, vowing to wander no more.
The song's lyrics are not only a declaration of love and fidelity to a city, but it also embodies a larger theme of hope and optimism. During the time when the song was written, San Francisco was still in the process of recovering from the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that occurred in 1906. However, by the time this song was released in 1936, San Francisco had become a thriving city with a bustling economy, and the song served as a tribute to the city's resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
It only takes a tiny corner of
A small area of land is enough
This great big world to make a place you love
To make a place worthy of affection
My home up on the hill
The place I call home, situated on a hill
I find I love you still
My love for you remains intact
I've been away but now I'm back to tell you
After being away, I am back to express myself
San Francisco
The city of San Francisco
Open your golden gate
Welcome me with your open arms
You let no stranger wait outside your door
You don't keep outsiders waiting
San Francisco
The city of San Francisco
Here is your wandering one
Here is your nomadic soul
Saying I'll wander no more
Promising to cease wandering
Other places only make me love you best
Other places make me appreciate San Francisco more
Tell me you're the heart of all the golden west
Confirm that you are the emblematic city of the western United States
San Francisco
The city of San Francisco
Welcome me home again
Accept me back as if I never left
I'm coming home
I'm returning to my beloved city
To go roaming no more
With no intention of wandering again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Walter Jurmann, Gus Kahn, Bronislaw Kaper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KENZOWAL
I can't imagine any other singer on Earth who could sing this powerful, emotional song any better than Janette MacDonald. What a teriffic film. What a great cast. What outstanding production and directing!
David Kelley
A voice like hers can never die! Thanks!
Wayne Brasler
No one like her before or since. What a voice! What a figure! What a personality! What projection! She was one of the few stars on the MGM lot Louis B. Mayer didn't tangle with. She was known as "The Iron Butterfly." She knew what was best for her on screen and she got her way.
KENZOWAL
Wow! This is a professional grade video! Whoever produced it deserves a Grammy or an Oscar. This is a wonderful, unique film about not only the American Spirit, but also the Spirit of our City! Bravo!
joey zaza
God I never get tired of this song
ThePerchance
She has the voice of untouched ethereal quality.
Wayne Brasler
Jeanette was one of the few ladies at M-G-M Studios who could hold her own with Louis B. Mayer, who called her the "iron butterfly." She new exactly what she wanted in every film and was more than willing to tough it out to get her way.
Jim P
Thanks for this compilation of a great song by an all-time great singer
TedWms521
Some years ago we were in San Francisco on Christmas Day and decided to see the film of My Fair Lady at the Castro Theater. The theater was sold out. Before the film began the organ rose up from the pit and the organist pounded into a thrilling version of this song and the crowd went crazy. It was great! I think even the Angelos were were won over.
pat7893
Saw this as a child in the 50's as an old re-run. Have never forgotten that gorgeous descant, although at the time did not know it had a name!! Just knew that an angel was singing!