I'll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time
Jo Stafford Lyrics


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I'm writing you, my dear,
Just to tell you,
In September, you remember
'Neath the old apple tree
You whispered to me
When it blossomed again, you'd be mine.

I've waited until I could claim you,
I hope I've not waited in vain.
For when it's spring in the valley,
I'm coming, my sweetheart, again!

I'll be with you in apple blossom time,
I'll be with you to change your name to mine.

One day in May
I'll come and say:
"Happy the bride the sun shines on today!"

What a wonderful wedding there will be,
What a wonderful day for you and me!
Church bells will chime
You will be mine
In apple blossom time.

I'll be with you in apple blossom time,
I'll be with you to change your name to mine.

One day in May
I'll come and say:
"Happy the bride the sun shines on today!"

What a wonderful wedding there will be,
What a wonderful day for you and me!
Church bells will chime




You will be mine
In apple blossom time.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I'll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time" talk about a promise made under an apple tree. The song starts with the singer writing to someone he loves, recalling the time when they first met under the apple tree in September. At that time, the person promised to be with the singer again when the tree blossomed in spring. The singer has waited for this promise to come true, hoping that it was not made in vain. The lyrics then describe a hypothetical scenario of the singer coming back in May to marry the person he loves.


The apple tree is used symbolically in these lyrics to represent a promise of love and commitment. The tree blossoming in spring signifies the start of a new season of love and reunion. The song also uses imagery of church bells and a beautiful wedding, suggesting a hopeful future of togetherness and happiness. The lyrics convey the message of patience, waiting for the right moment to come, and believing in the promises made under the apple tree.


Fact 1: "I'll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time" was written in 1920 by Neville Fleeson and Albert von Tilzer.


Fact 2: The song became popular in the 1940s, with Jo Stafford and Nat King Cole's version being the most famous.


Fact 3: The tune was played in the film "The Jolson Story" in 1946.


Fact 4: The song has been covered by several musicians, including Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin, and The Andrews Sisters.


Fact 5: "Apple Blossom Time" is a real event in Washington D.C., where the cherry blossom trees bloom in the spring.


Fact 6: The song was used in a TV commercial for Applebee's restaurants.


Fact 7: In 1953, the song was also included in the film "From Here to Eternity."


Fact 8: The lyrics of the song have been changed in various versions, but the main theme of love and reunion remains the same.


Fact 9: The song was also covered by British girl group The Honeycombs in 1964.


Fact 10: The chords for "I'll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time" are A#, D#, G7, Cm, F7, Bbm, and G#.


(A#) I'm writing you, my dear,
(D#) Just to tell you,
(G7) In September, you remember
(Cm) 'Neath the old apple tree
(F7) You whispered to me
(Bbm) When it blossomed again, you'd be mine.


(A#) I've waited until I could claim you,
(D#) I hope I've not waited in vain.
(G7) For when it's spring in the valley,
(Cm) I'm coming, my sweetheart, again!


(A#)I'll be with you in apple blossom (D#)time,
(G#) I'll be with (Bbm)you to change your name to (A#)mine.


(A#) One day in May
(D#) I'll come and say:
(G7) "Happy the bride the sun shines (Cm) on today!"


(F7) What a wonderful (G#)wedding there will be,
(F7) What a wonderful (G#)day for you and me!
(A#) Church bells will chime
(D#) You will be mine
(Bbm) In apple blossom (A#)time.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm writing you, my dear,
I'm sending this letter to you, my love,


Just to tell you,
Just to inform you,


In September, you remember
Back in September, do you recall?


'Neath the old apple tree
Underneath the aged apple tree


You whispered to me
You spoke to me in a low tone


When it blossomed again, you'd be mine.
You promised to be mine again when it bloomed.


I've waited until I could claim you,
I've patiently waited for an opportunity to ask you,


I hope I've not waited in vain.
I hope my waiting hasn't been for nothing.


For when it's spring in the valley,
Because when the valley experiences spring,


I'm coming, my sweetheart, again!
I'll come back to you, my dear!


I'll be with you in apple blossom time,
I'll be with you when the apple tree first blossoms,


I'll be with you to change your name to mine.
I'll be with you to marry you and take your last name.


One day in May
One day in May


I'll come and say:
I'll come and tell you:


"Happy the bride the sun shines on today!"
"How lucky is the bride who gets the sun on her wedding day!"


What a wonderful wedding there will be,
What a joyous wedding it will be,


What a wonderful day for you and me!
What a beautiful day for us both!


Church bells will chime
Church bells will ring


You will be mine
You will be my spouse


In apple blossom time.
When the apple tree blossoms.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALBERT VON TILZER, NEVILLE FLEESON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@imanim4844

So, so beautiful. I love this song and I have been listening to different versions all day, now that my favorite season, Spring is back. 🌸 03.31.2020. 🌼 Jo Stafford's is definitely my favorite!

@Trombonology

The swinginest version ever of this 1920 sentimental gem! The whole four-side 3/28/46 session, in fact, is a knockout. I wish Capitol had chosen to back Jo with a small group more often, as she worked just as beautifully in this kind of setting as in the orchestra with strings (and often harp) environment. The instrumental star of the date is, of course, Jo's label mate, the great Nat King Cole, but Ray Linn, whom Jo had known from her Dorsey band days, and the underrated Herbie Haymer (who would die tragically just three years later) make terrific contributions as well. Jo was a far more capable jazz vocalist than she is ever given credit for having been.

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