He was the son of pharmacists Paul Bynum Kyser and Emily Royster Howell Kyser, and a cousin of Vermont C. Royster. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, his campus popularity and enthusiasm as a cheerleader caused him to be invited to join a commercial band being formed by other students. Although he started clarinet lessons, he was better as an entertaining announcer for the band than as a musician. He adopted the initial of his middle name as part of his stage name, for its alliterative effect.
On A Slow Boat To China
Kay Kyser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kay Kyser
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Id love to get you
On a slow boat to China,
All to my self alone.
Get you to keep you in my arms evermore,
Weeping on the faraway shore.
Out on the briny
With the moon big and shinny,
Melting your heart of stone.
Id love to get you
On a slow boat to China,
All to my self alone.
From: Lynncw@aol.com
The lyrics of Kay Kyser's "On a Slow Boat to China" are quite straightforward. The singer expresses his desire to be completely alone with his lover, away from all the other people in her life. The idea of being on a slow boat to China is used as a metaphor for this separation from the rest of the world.
The singer claims that he would "love" to take his lover away with him, suggesting that this is a sincere desire rather than a passing fancy. He imagines a romantic scene on the sea, with the moon shining and their hearts melting together. The poetic language of the lyrics suggests a true depth of feeling underlying the casual language of the song.
Overall, "On a Slow Boat to China" is a wistful and romantic song about the desire for intimacy and connection between two people.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd love to get you
I have a strong desire to take you
On a slow boat to China,
I want to take you on a leisurely journey to China
All to my self alone.
I want to have you all to myself
Get you to keep you in my arms evermore,
I want to hold you in my arms and never let you go
Leave all your lovers (lovelies)
You would have to leave behind all your other romantic partners
Weeping on the faraway shore.
They would be sad and upset while you are with me elsewhere
Out on the briny
Out on the ocean
With the moon big and shinny,
Under a big and bright moon
Melting your heart of stone.
I hope to make you more receptive to my love and affection
I'd love to get you
Again, I have a strong desire to take you
On a slow boat to China,
Once more, I want to take you on a leisurely journey to China
All to my self alone.
To reemphasize, I desire to have you all to myself
Contributed by Gianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@patsysisk1
My grandma was a big band singer, she sang at the coconut grove in Hollywood in the 1940s. She use to love this song so much, and I remember how she would be cooking breakfast in the morning and singing this song. aha. thanks for posting! Im 16 and I wish so much this style of music would come back.
@fuego3019
Omg you're almost 26 now : (
@dr.winstonsmith3511
26 now. Still listening?
@ernestoorozco8252
Hello
@ruminatingenigma4649
Hi
@Leo-en3uh
Only Love.I Love tô hear this stories.
@luizamorim1626
This is by far my favourite big-band recording EVER... pure delight.
@omomon
Free winds and no tyranny for you, Freddie, sailor of the seas. You pay no rent, free to go where you please. Then go, go to that landless latitude and good luck. If you figure a way to live without serving a master, any master, then let the rest of us know, will you? For you'd be the first in the history of the world.
@user-gg6sh7wr6d
A man of culture 🙌
@ReapersSprint
16 years old and this to me the best kind of music. It is great to listen to and the wind instruments were always great in all the songs. Its almost impossible for anyone to get recognition for playing and instrument such as a saxophone or trumpet. Its all mixed crap and electric instruments. Very rare to find a song that you can relax when listening to.