It Could Happen to You
Lena Horne & Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics

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Hide your heart from sight,
Lock your dreams at night,
It could happen to you.
Don't count stars

Or you might stumble,
Someone drops a sigh
And down you tumble,

Keep an eye on spring,

Run when church bells ring.
It could happen to you
All I did was wonder

How your arms would be
And it happened to me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lena Horne & Sammy Davis Jr.'s song "It Could Happen to You" tell a cautionary tale about love and vulnerability. The opening lines, "Hide your heart from sight, lock your dreams at night," suggest the need for protection and guarding oneself against potential heartbreak. The repeated line, "It could happen to you," serves as a reminder that love has the potential to affect anyone, regardless of their precautions.

The lyrics then caution against counting stars, symbolizing the act of placing too much hope or expectations on something. The line "someone drops a sigh and down you tumble" implies that a single moment or action can unexpectedly change one's emotional state. The song advises to be mindful and attentive, as even the arrival of spring or the ringing of church bells can lead to love unexpectedly taking hold.

The final lines bring forth the personal experience of the singer, stating that all they did was wonder how their loved one's arms would feel, and yet love happened to them. This reinforces the idea that love is unpredictable and can happen to anyone, regardless of their intentions or expectations.

Overall, the lyrics of "It Could Happen to You" emphasize the vulnerability and unpredictability of love, urging listeners to be cautious yet open to the possibility of falling in love unexpectedly.

Line by Line Meaning

Hide your heart from sight
Conceal your vulnerability and emotions

Lock your dreams at night
Keep your aspirations hidden and protected

It could happen to you
Fate has the potential to bring unexpected circumstances upon anyone

Don't count stars
Do not indulge in idle fantasies or overly optimistic expectations

Or you might stumble
Otherwise, you may encounter difficulties or setbacks

Someone drops a sigh
When someone expresses a slight hint of dissatisfaction or longing

And down you tumble
You may unexpectedly fall into a state of vulnerability or emotional turmoil

Keep an eye on spring
Be attentive and watchful for new beginnings or opportunities

Run when church bells ring
Seize the moment and take action when a sign or opportunity presents itself

It could happen to you
Just like it happened to me, unexpected events could also occur in your life

All I did was wonder
Merely curiosity led me to contemplate