Dinah
Muggsy Spanier and His Ragtimers Lyrics
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Gave me Dinah;
I'm the proudest one
Beneath the Dixie sun.
News is spreadin'
'Bout our weddin';
I hear church bells ringin',
Dinah,
Is there anyone finer
In the state of Carolina?
If there is and you know her,
Show her!
Dinah,
With her Dixie eyes blazin',
How I love to sit and gaze in
To the eyes of Dinah Lee!
Yet, every night,
My, how I shake with fright,
Because my Dinah might,
Change her mind about me!
But if Dinah,
Ever wandered to China,
I would hop an ocean liner,
Just to be with Dinah Lee!
Dinah,
Is there anyone finer
In the state of Carolina?
If there is and you know her,
Show her!
Dinah,
With her Dixie eyes blazin',
How I love to sit and gaze in
To the eyes of Dinah Lee!
Yet, every night,
My, how I shake with fright,
Because my Dinah might,
Change her mind about me!
But if Dinah,
Ever wandered to China,
I would hop an ocean!,
Just to be with Dinah Lee!
The lyrics to Muggsy Spanier and His Ragtimers' song "Dinah" speak about his love for Dinah Lee, whom he met in Carolina. He expresses his pride at being with her, stating that he is the proudest person in the state of Carolina beneath the Dixie sun. The song talks about rumors spreading about their wedding and the church bells ringing. Despite the doubts and fears, Muggsy is deeply in love with Dinah and cannot resist the temptation of her Dixie eyes. He sings about his fear that Dinah might change her mind about him, but also states that he would follow her anywhere, including all the way to China.
The lyrics of the song "Dinah" reflect the traditional jazz form of the 1920s and 1930s with its upbeat melody and simplistic lyrical style. The song is a popular standard in jazz and has been covered by several artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Carolina
The place where Dinah is from
Gave me Dinah;
Introduced me to Dinah
I'm the proudest one
I am incredibly happy and proud to have Dinah
Beneath the Dixie sun.
In the southern United States
News is spreadin'
People are talking
'Bout our weddin';
The word is going around that we are getting married
I hear church bells ringin',
I can hear the bells of the church where we will get married
Here's the song my heart keeps singin':
This is how my heart feels about Dinah
Dinah,
Addressing Dinah affectionately
Is there anyone finer
Is there anyone better
In the state of Carolina?
In the southern United States
If there is and you know her,
If there is someone better than Dinah and you know her
Show her!
Introduce me to her!
With her Dixie eyes blazin',
Her bright southern eyes
How I love to sit and gaze in
How I love to stare into
To the eyes of Dinah Lee!
Into Dinah's eyes
Yet, every night,
Despite my happiness
My, how I shake with fright,
I am afraid
Because my Dinah might,
Because Dinah could potentially
Change her mind about me!
Stop loving me!
But if Dinah,
However, if Dinah
Ever wandered to China,
Were to travel to China
I would hop an ocean liner,
I would travel by ship across the ocean
Just to be with Dinah Lee!
Just to be reunited with Dinah
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Akst, Samuel M. Lewis, Joseph Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@doobeedoo2
what a singer at this point in his life.
@downsouthjazzband
Dynamite 🧨
@Trombonology
Top-notch ... love this one!
@atco21117
Hi Mark - Muggsy Spanier, none I have before, but I like! See ya -- Atco
@OldRadioAl
Boy, was I surprised at the singing voice coming out of George Brunies. Â Nice recording. Â Thanks SwingMan.
@SwingMan1938
You bet - it's definitely a striking side.
@keithmcmahon202
Another great posting,Swingman1938, took me back to one of the first 12" LP's I purchased many moons ago,also recalled the last time I saw Muggsy and George Brunies about '64 or '65 performing together at a gig in London, Ontario which is about 100 miles east of Detroit. While speaking with Muggsy I asked if George might join us (they were dining alone at separate tables). George ,with a scowl, refused in no uncertain terms,Muggsy's invitation to come over . I just assumed they'd perhaps had a little tiff over something,and left them alone.
@SwingMan1938
At least you got to speak with Muggsy, though. Shame that George wasn't in a better mood - man, I couldn't fathom the mere possibility of sharing a supper table with 2 such giants of their instruments!
At least George sounds a bit happier on record, I guess. ;)