if
Jo Stafford & The Paul Weston Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now that we're cosy and clinging,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a bell I'd be ringing!
From the moment we kissed goodnight,
That's the way I just gotta behave,
And if I were a lamp I'd light,
Ask me how do I feel,
Little me with my quiet upbringing,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a gate I'd be swinging!
And if I were a watch,
I'd start popping my spring,
Oh, and if I were a bell
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
Ask me how do I feel
From this chemistry lesson I'm learning,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a bridge I'd be burning!
Well, I knew my moral would crack
From the wonderful way you looked,
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack,
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked!
Ask me how do I feel
Now that we're fondly caressing,
And if I were a salad,
I know I'd be splashing my dressing!
Or if I were a season,
I'd surely be Spring,
Yes, and if I were a bell,
Say, if I were a bell,
If I were a bell
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
The lyrics to Jo Stafford's "If I Were A Bell" express the singer's overwhelming excitement and joy over being in love. She exclaims that if she were a bell, she would be ringing with happiness. The metaphor of the bell is used throughout the song to represent her emotions and the intensity of her feelings. She also states that if she were a lamp, she would light up, or if she were a banner, she would wave.
The lyrics continue with the singer saying that if she were a watch, she would start "popping her spring" indicating that her emotions are so strong that they are almost uncontrollable. She also mentions that if she were a bridge, she would be burning up due to the intense chemistry and passion between her and her lover. Towards the end of the song, the lyrics become more light-hearted, with the singer stating that if she were a salad, she would be "splashing her dressing" and if she were a season, she would be spring.
Overall, the lyrics of "If I Were A Bell" convey the overwhelming and all-consuming nature of falling deeply in love, and the metaphor of the bell is a powerful symbol for the intensity of these emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Ask me how do I feel,
Inquire about my emotional state
Now that we're cosy and clinging,
Now that we are intimately close
Well sir, all I can say is
My response is limited to
If I were a bell I'd be ringing!
I would be feeling very happy and excited
From the moment we kissed goodnight,
Since our kiss at night
That's the way I just gotta behave,
That's how I am compelled to act
And if I were a lamp I'd light,
I would be glowing with joy
Or if I were a banner I'd wave!
I would be announcing my happiness for all to see
Little me with my quiet upbringing,
I, who grew up reserved and modest
If I were a gate I'd be swinging!
I would be opening up to new experiences
And if I were a watch,
If I were a timekeeper
I'd start popping my spring,
I'd be filled with joyful energy
Oh, and if I were a bell
And if I were filled with excitement
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
I'd be expressing my joy vocally
From this chemistry lesson I'm learning,
From experiencing the strong connection between us
If I were a bridge I'd be burning!
I would be willing to take a risk for love
Well, I knew my moral would crack
I knew my willpower would weaken
From the wonderful way you looked,
From the loving way you gazed at me
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack,
I'd be making a joyful noise
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked!
I'd be beyond delighted
Now that we're fondly caressing,
Now that we're lovingly touching
And if I were a salad,
And if I were a savory dish
I know I'd be splashing my dressing!
I know I would be showing off my best features
Or if I were a season,
Or if I were a time of year
I'd surely be Spring,
I'd embody renewal and growth
Yes, and if I were a bell,
And I were filled with excitement
Say, if I were a bell,
Imagine if I were filled with excitement
If I were a bell
If I were filled with excitement
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
I'd be expressing my joy vocally
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY C BROCKERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trombonology Erstwhile
Beautiful! Jo had the right vocal qualities and abilities for waltz time. ... Then again, she was well-suited for any type of material or time signature that she took on!
Walter Gray
This is just so beautiful. This truly is one of my favourite songs. I love the Perry Como version and Jo Stafford version equally.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Darryl C Preston
Of course, I remember the Perry Como hit version. This song takes on a markedly different aspect when sung by a woman. I think that Jo, like a lot of women in those days could handle herself in the 'men's world' but today's liberated women wouldn't like this song very much, or have much of an understanding of women like Jo Stafford.