One Mint Julep
Louis Prima;Keely Smith Lyrics


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One early morning, as I was walking
I met a woman, we started talking
I took her home, to get a few nips
But all I had was a mint julep
I don't remember just how I started
I only know that we should have parted
I stole a kiss, and then another
I didn't mean to take it further

One mint julep was the cause of it all
The lights were burning low, there in the parlor
When through the kitchen door, up popped her father
He said I saw you when you kissed my daughter
Better wed her right now, or face a slaughter!
I didn't know just what I was doing
I had to marry of face ruin

A mint julep, a mint julep
A mint julep, a mint julep
One mint julep was the cause of it all

Now, I don't want to bore you with my troubles
But from now on Ill be thinking double
I'm through with flirting and drinking whiskey
I got six extra children from a-getting frisky

A mint julep, a mint julep




A mint julep, a mint julep
One mint julep was the cause of it all

Overall Meaning

The song "One Mint Julep" by Louis Prima and Keely Smith is a cautionary tale about the perils of alcohol and infidelity. The singer meets a woman while walking one morning and invites her home for a drink. The only thing he has to offer is a mint julep, which they drink together. As they become more intoxicated, they begin kissing, and the singer soon finds himself married to the woman after her father catches them in the act.


The lyrics suggest that the mint julep was the catalyst for the singer's downfall. Had he not drank it, he never would have been in the situation in the first place. He is filled with regret and vows to change his ways, lamenting the six children he now has as a result of his actions.


Line by Line Meaning

One early morning, as I was walking
I was strolling when, one day, I met a woman and we began to chat.


I took her home, to get a few nips
I brought her back to my place to have a drink, or two.


But all I had was a mint julep
Unfortunately, all I could offer was a mint julep.


I don't remember just how I started
I can't recall how things began between us.


I only know that we should have parted
All I know is that we should have gone our separate ways.


I stole a kiss, and then another
Next thing I knew, I was kissing her, not just once but repeatedly.


I didn't mean to take it further
I didn't intend for things to progress as far as they did.


One mint julep was the cause of it all
This one drink was the catalyst for everything that followed.


The lights were burning low, there in the parlor
The room was dimly lit with lights in the parlor.


When through the kitchen door, up popped her father
Suddenly, her dad appeared through the kitchen door.


He said I saw you when you kissed my daughter
He caught me when I was kissing his daughter.


Better wed her right now, or face a slaughter!
He gave me an ultimatum - marry her now or face the consequences.


I didn't know just what I was doing
I was completely clueless about what I was doing.


I had to marry of face ruin
I had no choice but to marry her or risk facing destruction.


Now, I don't want to bore you with my troubles
I don't want to burden you with my problems.


But from now on Ill be thinking double
From this point on, I'll be super cautious about future encounters.


I'm through with flirting and drinking whiskey
I'm done with flirting and drinking alcohol.


I got six extra children from a-getting frisky
I ended up with six extra kids as a result of my recklessness.


A mint julep, a mint julep
Just one mint julep.


One mint julep was the cause of it all
This one drink was the ultimate cause of everything.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUDOLPH TOOMBS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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