I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
Jo Stafford with Paul Weston and His Orchestra Lyrics
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Just as forgetful as I can be
I've got the strangest sort of mind
I'm always leaving something behind
I left my heart at the stage door canteen
I left it there with a girl named Eileen
I kept her serving doughnuts, 'til all she had were gone
I must go back to the Army routine
And every doughboy knows what that will mean
A soldier boy without a heart
Has two strikes on him from the start
And my heart's at the stagedoor canteen
I left my heart at the stage door canteen
I left it there with a girl named Eileen
I kept her serving doughnuts, 'til all she had were gone
I kept her serving doughnuts, 'til she caught on
The lyrics to "I Left My Heart At The Stage Door Canteen" by Jo Stafford tell the story of an absent-minded soldier who has left his heart - and presumably his affections - with a girl named Eileen at the Stage Door Canteen. The soldier laments his forgetfulness, as he is always leaving something behind. However, this particular oversight may have more serious consequences as he will soon be returning to army life, and without his heart, he believes he will have "two strikes on him from the start." The soldier seems to be both rueful and regretful about leaving his heart behind, but his thoughts turn more wistful as he sings about the woman he left behind at the canteen.
Through the soldier's own admission, he has taken advantage of Eileen and made her serve doughnuts until there were none left. It's unclear whether this was an intentional act of manipulation or just a simple request that spiraled out of control, but it's clear that it left an impression on the soldier. The song feels nostalgic for a bygone era, one where soldiers were dashing and heroic and the women waiting for them at home were willing to do anything for them. However, there is also a hint of sadness to the song, knowing that these young men were going off to fight in a brutal war, and not all of them would come back.
Line by Line Meaning
Old Mister Absent-Minded, that's me
I am forgetful and often leave things behind.
Just as forgetful as I can be
My forgetfulness is at its worst.
I've got the strangest sort of mind
My mind works in an odd way.
I'm always leaving something behind
I have a habit of leaving things behind wherever I go.
I left my heart at the stage door canteen
I fell in love with a girl at the stage door canteen and my heart is still there with her.
I left it there with a girl named Eileen
I fell in love with a specific girl named Eileen at the stage door canteen.
I kept her serving doughnuts, 'til all she had were gone
I made her serve me doughnuts until she ran out of them, as an excuse to talk to her more.
I kept her serving doughnuts, 'til she caught on
Eileen finally realized that I was using the doughnuts as an excuse to talk to her.
I must go back to the Army routine
I have to return to the army and its strict schedule.
And every doughboy knows what that will mean
Every soldier knows what they will have to endure upon returning to the army.
A soldier boy without a heart
Without Eileen and my heart for her, I will be a heartless soldier.
Has two strikes on him from the start
Starting off without a heart puts me at a significant disadvantage as a soldier.
And my heart's at the stage door canteen
Regardless of my duties as a soldier, my heart still belongs to Eileen at the stage door canteen.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@williampaz2092
I just HAD to go online and buy “G.I. Jo”, Jo Stafford’s collection of WW 2 songs. Beautiful.
@pinkieldred
Ahhh Jo Stafford what a beautiful voice...smooth, bluesy, with so much feeling...! Wonderful post thanks ...
@johnwaters2312
Heard this great song as a kid during the War........Irving Berlin was a true patriot and this tune captures that and Jo sings it beautifully. Thank you
@fdobbs37
Great song from WW II ,sung by a great singer. God's speed Jo, you were the greatest!
@williamtorrey1246
Combine a wonderful old WWII tune with one of the great female vocalists and how can you go wrong!
@Supremesfan1
Jo always knew how to sing a song, whether it was country, sway, swing, or comedy.
@kingusmcgee
Best version of this Irving Berlin classic. Song was used in the '42 movie "This Is The Army" with Ronald Reagan amongst its cast.
@bbcisrubbish
This is a very good quality recording.
@thisdoesnotwork
Beautiful, thanks!
@jatoodee
All I can say is WOW!!!!