Alice Blue Gown
Kate Anna McGarrigle featuring Lily Lanken Rufus Wainwright Lyrics

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In my sweet little Alice blue gown.
When I first wandered down into town
I was both proud and shy,
As I felt every eye.
And in every shop window
I'd primp, passing by.
At all manner of fashion I'd frown,
And the world seemed to smile all around.

Till it wilted, I wore it.
I'll always adore it;
My sweet little Alice blue gown.
At all manner of fashion I'd frown,
And the world seemed to smile all around.
Till it wilted, I wore it.

I'll always adore it;
My sweet little Alice blue gown.

Overall Meaning

The song "Alice Blue Gown" by Kate and Anna McGarrigle featuring Lily Lanken Rufus Wainwright, is a nostalgic tune about a woman's proud and shy experience wearing her beloved Alice blue gown in town. The lyrics express the woman's feeling of being the center of attention, as every eye seems to be on her. She takes pride in her appearance and admires herself in every shop window she passes by. The world around her seems to be smiling as she walks by, and she cannot help but feel wonderful in her beautiful gown.

The repetition of "At all manner of fashion, I'd frown" implies that the woman has high standards for fashion and beauty, and the Alice blue gown meets those standards perfectly. The line "Till it wilted, I wore it" denotes the woman's attachment to the gown, and her love for it is unwavering, even as the world changes around her. The nostalgia in the lyrics is palpable, as the woman reminisces on her past with fondness.

Line by Line Meaning

In my sweet little Alice blue gown.
I paraded around in my darling Alice blue gown.

When I first wandered down into town
As I stepped into town for the first time

I was both proud and shy,
I had mixed feelings of being proud and shy

As I felt every eye.
I was conscious of every gaze upon me

And in every shop window
At every store's display window

I'd primp, passing by.
I would adjust my appearance as I walked by

At all manner of fashion I'd frown,
I would disapprove of all types of fashion

And the world seemed to smile all around.
But everyone else seemed to love it

Till it wilted, I wore it.
I kept wearing it until it was worn out

I'll always adore it;
But I will always love it

My sweet little Alice blue gown.
My beloved Alice blue gown.