The Last Rose of Summer
Leroy Anderson & His Orchestra Lyrics


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(Doddy dumb dum) (dah-dah-dah-dah-dum)
(Doddy dumb dum) (dah-dah-dah-dah-dumb-dum)

The boat rides we would take
The moonlight on the lake
The way we danced (do the twist) and hummed our favorite song
(Loco-motion, do the loco-motion)
The things we did last summer
I'll remember (I'll remember) all winter long

The midways and the fun
The Kewpie dolls we won
The bell you rang (at Palisades Park) to prove that you were strong
(The bell you rang to prove you were strong)
The things we did last summer
I'll remember (I'll remember) all winter long

The early morning hike
The rented tandem bike
The lunches that we used to pack
We never could explain
That sudden summer rain
The looks we got when we got back

The leaves began to fade
Like promises we made
How could a love that seemed so right go wrong?
(How could a love go so wrong?)
The things we did last summer
I'll remember (I'll remember, oh yes) all winter long





(Doddy dumb dum) (dah-dah-dah-dah-dum) [Repeat x 4]

Overall Meaning

The Last Rose of Summer by Leroy Anderson & His Orchestra is a nostalgic song that reflects on the memories of a summer romance. The song begins with a joyful tune with a repetitive "doddy dumb dum" sound followed by the vocalist's recollections of the past summer. The memories include boat rides, moonlit lakes, dancing, and humming favorite songs such as the "Loco-motion." The artist reminisces the fun he had at the carnival, winning Kewpie dolls and ringing the bell at Palisades Park.


The lyrics describe a morning hike, rented tandem bike journey, packing lunches, and being caught in summer rain with the significant other. However, the relationship gradually fades as the summer turns to autumn and the leaves begin to wither. The song ends on a somber note, reflecting on the disappointment and heartbreak that came with the end of the summer romance.


Overall, The Last Rose of Summer gives a sense of nostalgia and lost love. The artist wishes to hold on to his summer memories and the love he once had.


Line by Line Meaning

(Doddy dumb dum) (dah-dah-dah-dah-dum)
Musical instrumental intro


(Doddy dumb dum) (dah-dah-dah-dah-dumb-dum)
Musical instrumental transition


The boat rides we would take
Recalling enjoyable moments spent on the water


The moonlight on the lake
The beauty of the moon's reflection on the water


The way we danced (do the twist) and hummed our favorite song
Remembering happy times spent dancing and singing


(Loco-motion, do the loco-motion)
Reference to a popular dance craze


The things we did last summer
Nostalgia for past experiences and memories


I'll remember (I'll remember) all winter long
Commitment to cherish these memories all year-round


The midways and the fun
Recollections of amusement park attractions and enjoyment


The Kewpie dolls we won
Reminiscing about prizes earned at fair games


The bell you rang (at Palisades Park) to prove that you were strong
A specific memory of ringing a bell as proof of physical strength


(The bell you rang to prove you were strong)
Repeating the memory with emphasis


The things we did last summer
Continuation of remembering past events


I'll remember (I'll remember) all winter long
Reaffirming the commitment to preserve these memories


The early morning hike
Recollection of an outdoor activity taken early in the day


The rented tandem bike
Remembering the experience of sharing a bicycle built for two


The lunches that we used to pack
Musing about meals prepared for outdoor excursions


We never could explain
Inability to comprehend or make sense of something


That sudden summer rain
Remembrance of unexpected inclement weather


The looks we got when we got back
Recalling the reactions of others upon returning


The leaves began to fade
Noticing the changing of the seasons and the end of summer


Like promises we made
Drawing a parallel between the fading leaves and broken promises


How could a love that seemed so right go wrong?
Reflecting on a past relationship that ended in heartbreak


(How could a love go so wrong?)
Repeating the self-reflective question


The things we did last summer
Final recollection of the events that occurred


I'll remember (I'll remember, oh yes) all winter long
Confirmation of the continued importance of these memories


(Doddy dumb dum) (dah-dah-dah-dah-dum)
Musical instrumental outro




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULE STYNE, SAMMY CAHN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@user-zo2uq4ll4d

Мой дорогой Найджел !
Благодарю Вас за такой чудесный альбом !
Не могу даже сказать сколько раз я посмотрела и по слушала этот альбом . Эта чудесная музыка проникает в каждую клеточку моей души .
Я ещё раз благодарю Вас , за знакомство с
Лероем Андерсеном .
Это моя музыка , это мой композитор . И большое спасибо автору этих удивительных , великолепных фотографий . Хочется , как можно дольше любоваться каждым цветком . Какое разнообразие цветовой гаммы и формы цветов .
У нас сейчас шесть часов утра , а я смотрю Ваш альбом . Сколько
счастья , любви и нежности получает зритель , который смотрит этот альбом .
Мой тёплый друг , будьте счастливы , здоровы и с хорошим настроением .
Нежно Вас обнимаю , целую . Ваша Марго .
Ещё раз спасибо Вам за Ваш труд .



@user-zo2uq4ll4d

Дорогой мой Найджел , добрый вечер . Друг мой , Ваша страна очень красивая с хорошими традициями , одно из сильнейших государств в мире . Нравится кому-то это или нет , но это факт .
А злобные тролли пусть свои зубы в порошок сотрут от собственной ненависти ко всему , что им недоступно .
У нас есть замечательная басня
Крылова ( имя и отчество не помню )
,, Слон и Моська ,,
Там есть такая строчка -
,, Ах Моська , знать она сильна , что лает на Слона !? ,,
Моська , это мелкая злобная собачонка , на
которую Слон не обращал никакого внимания .
Не принимайте близко к сердцу и не тратьте своё здоровье на троллей они этого не стоят .
Найджел , удивительно другое , я сегодня хотела
Вам предложить , хоть изредка знакомить нас с Вашей любимой Британией . И вдруг , вот она , Англия - пожалуйста , смотрите и знакомьтесь . Спасибо мой тёплый друг. У Вас всегда всё интересно и очень вкусно в прямом и переносном смысле . Будьте счастливы , здоровы и с хорошим настроением .
Нежно Вас обнимаю , целую . Ваша Марго .



All comments from YouTube:

@richardtitko4980

Roses are one of my favourite flowers. It inspires me on the celebration.

@jimbuxton2187

Transcendently beautiful. Remarkable orchestration....

@user-si2dd3nl7j

Мелодия фантастическая , каждая нота проникает в 💓💓💓 и душу . Спасибо Вам , Найджел за Ваш труд , который несёт нам , хорошее настроение.

@MegaChristmas365

It is such a pleasure to hear this music once more. In the 1950's, you could hear it more often on television specials and on certain AM radio stations. Glad you brought these back. We needed this. Thank you !

@elainecox6640

This song is as pretty as the rose it's played for.

@janicel.2143

Stunning,spectacular,and exquisite!!

@NigelFowlerSutton

Many thanks!

@doeharris5363

So beautiful, thank you so much Nigel. Love your channel. 😊😊😊😊🐱🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

@NigelFowlerSutton

You are very welcome

@geetarnut

Thank you Nigel, for introducing some of the most heart warming, emotional music of all time. At 63 I must confess, I had never experienced Andersons music, other than the "SYNCOPATED CLOCK SONG",, and my eyes quickly welled up with tears while listening to this, "The Last Rose Of Summer", and as I type this, I am sniffling and composing myself, lol,,, after listening to what could be called, "heart medicine" here. I am now preparing myself for all the other wonderful songs,,,,,,, by getting a box of Kleenex tissues!!!! A huge thanks from the heart!!! Cheers Nigel!!!

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