The Trolley Song
Michael Feinstein Lyrics
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"Ding, ding, ding" went the bell
"Zing, zing, zing" went my heartstrings
For the moment I saw him I fell
"Chug, chug, chug" went the motor
"Bump, bump, bump" went the brake
"Thump, thump, thump" went my heartstrings
He tipped his hat, and took a seat
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
He asked my name I held my breath
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
"Buzz, buzz, buzz" went the buzzer
"Plop, plop, plop" went the wheels
"Stop, stop, stop" went my heartstrings
As he started to leave I took hold of his sleeve with my hand
And as if it were planned
He stayed on with me and it was grand
Just to stand with his hand holding mine
All the way to the end of the line
The Trolley Song is a romantic ballad that recounts the singer's electric chemistry with a stranger on a trolley ride. The opening lines "clang, clang, clang went the trolley" and "ding, ding, ding went the bell" set the scene of a bustling city street. As the trolley approaches, the singer describes feeling their "heartstrings" zing with anticipation as soon as they spot the object of their affection.
The song consists of a series of onomatopoeic sounds that mimic the sounds of the trolley, such as "chug, chug, chug" and "bump, bump, bump." The singer's heartstrings are further described as "thump, thump, thump" when the object of their affection smiles at them. The two strike up a conversation and the singer is so smitten, they can't even speak: "I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death."
The song's chorus features a surge of adrenaline as the trolley speeds up: "Buzz, buzz, buzz" goes the buzzer, "plop, plop, plop" goes the wheels, and "stop, stop, stop" goes the singer's heartstrings as they fear the moment is about to end. But then, as if it were planned, the stranger stays on with the singer and they hold hands "all the way to the end of the line."
Line by Line Meaning
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
The trolley was making a distinctive sound as it moved along the track
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
The bell on the trolley was ringing out each time the conductor gave a signal
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
When I saw him, the one I had been waiting for, my heart was filled with excitement
For the moment I saw him I fell
I was immediately swept off my feet at the sight of him
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
The trolley's motor was making a rhythmic sound as it propelled us forward
Bump, bump, bump went the brake
As we slowed down, the brakes on the trolley made a rough noise
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
My heart was beating fast with anticipation as I waited for his next move
When he smiled, I could feel the car shake
His smile had such an effect on me that I felt like the trolley was tremoring
He tipped his hat, and took a seat
He greeted me with a gentlemanly gesture and sat down next to me
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
He was considerate enough to check if he had accidentally bumped into me
He asked my name I held my breath
I was so nervous being in his presence that I struggled to even speak my own name
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
He had such an effect on me that I was practically paralyzed with fear
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
The buzzer on the trolley was signaling that we were approaching our stop
Plop, plop, plop went the wheels
As we rolled to a stop, the sound of the wheels could be heard hitting the pavement
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
I was filled with emotion as our time together was coming to an end
As he started to leave I took hold of his sleeve with my hand
I didn't want to let go of him, so I reached out to touch him and try to keep him near me
And as if it were planned He stayed on with me and it was grand
Remarkably, he decided to stay with me, and it was a fantastic moment
Just to stand with his hand holding mine
We shared a moment of intimacy as his hand held mine
All the way to the end of the line
Our moment lasted until the very last stop, and it was unforgettable
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: HUGH MARTIN, RALPH BLANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind