The Last Time I Saw Paris
Noel Coward & Orchestra Lyrics
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Has left her old companions and faded from view
Lonely men with lonely eyes are seeking her in vain
Her streets are where they were, but there's no sign of her
She has left the Seine
I heard the laughter of her heart in every street caf,
The last time I saw Paris, her trees were dressed for spring,
And lovers walked beneath those trees and birds found songs to sing.
I dodged the same old taxicabs that I had dodged for years.
The chorus of their squeaky horns was music to my ears.
The last time I saw Paris, her heart was warm and gay,
No matter how they change her, I'll remember her that way.
I'll think of happy hours, and people who shared them
Old women, selling flowers, in markets at dawn
Children who applauded, Punch and Judy in the park
And those who danced at night and kept our Paris bright
'til the town went dark.
The first stanza of the song talks about a lady known as Paris who is described as romantic and charming. This could be a reference to the city of Paris which is often personified in such a manner. The stanza goes on to say that Paris has left her old companions and has faded from view. This could be a reference to how the city has changed over time or how people's perception of the city has evolved. The second line of the stanza talks about how lonely men are seeking Paris in vain. This could be an allusion to people who long for the Paris of yesteryear or to those who come to Paris looking for love and romance but don't find it. The final line of the stanza says that Paris has left the Seine which is a reference to the river Seine that flows through Paris.
The second stanza talks about the last time the singer saw Paris. The heart of Paris was warm and gay and the laughter of her heart could be heard in every street café. This could be a reference to the joie de vivre or the joy of living that is so characteristic of the city. The third line talks about how the trees of Paris were dressed for spring and lovers walked beneath them while the birds sang. This image conjures up the romantic image of Paris that is so often portrayed in movies and books. The final line of the stanza talks about how the singer dodged the same old taxicabs that they had dodged for years and the chorus of their squeaky horns was music to their ears. This could be a reference to how certain things in Paris remain unchanged despite the passing of time.
The final stanza talks about the nostalgia that the singer feels for Paris. They talk about happy hours spent in Paris and the people who shared them. There's a reference to old women selling flowers in markets at dawn and children who applauded Punch and Judy in the park. These images create a sense of nostalgia for a time gone by. The stanza goes on to talk about those who danced at night and kept Paris bright and how the town went dark. This reference to the town going dark could be seen as an allusion to the changes that have taken place in Paris over time.
Line by Line Meaning
A lady known as Paris, Romantic and Charming
Paris is personified as a woman, known for her beauty, romance, and charming appeal.
Has left her old companions and faded from view
Paris has changed and is no longer the same as it used to be, the essence of the city has disappeared.
Lonely men with lonely eyes are seeking her in vain
Men who are lost and lonely come to Paris in search of something but cannot find what they are looking for in the city.
Her streets are where they were, but there's no sign of her
The physical streets and landmarks of Paris are still present, but the Paris that people seek cannot be found.
She has left the Seine
Paris has moved on and is no longer connected to the river Seine.
The last time I saw Paris, her heart was warm and gay,
When the singer last saw Paris, the city was lively and full of joy.
I heard the laughter of her heart in every street caf,
The singer could feel the joy and happiness of Paris in the laughter of people in the streets and cafes.
The last time I saw Paris, her trees were dressed for spring,
In the past, when the artist was in Paris, trees were in full bloom, indicating that it was springtime.
And lovers walked beneath those trees and birds found songs to sing.
Couples would walk under the trees and birds would sing, adding to the romantic atmosphere of Paris.
I dodged the same old taxicabs that I had dodged for years.
The artist is familiar with the streets of Paris, having spent a considerable amount of time there.
The chorus of their squeaky horns was music to my ears.
Even the sounds of the old taxicabs were a part of the familiar and comforting essence of Paris.
No matter how they change her, I'll remember her that way.
The artist will always hold onto the memories of Paris when it was lively and full of romance, regardless of how much it may have changed.
I'll think of happy hours, and people who shared them
The singer is reminiscing about the happy moments they spent in Paris and the people they shared them with.
Old women, selling flowers, in markets at dawn
The singer remembers the old women selling flowers in the early morning markets, as a part of the Parisian culture.
Children who applauded, Punch and Judy in the park
The singer remembers seeing Punch and Judy shows in the park and the children who would watch and enjoy it.
And those who danced at night and kept our Paris bright
The people who danced in the night kept the atmosphere of Paris lively and bright.
'til the town went dark.
The liveliness of Paris would continue until the end of the night, when the town would go dark.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OSCAR II HAMMERSTEIN, JEROME KERN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind