The Surrey With the Fringe on Top
Oscar Peterson / Ray Brown / Ed Thigpen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I take you out in the surrey
When I take you out in the surrey with the fringe on top
Watch the fringe and see how it flutters
I will ride those high-steppin' strutters
Nosy pokes will peek through their shutters
And their eyes will pop
The wheels are yeller the upholstery brown
The dash board's genuine leather
With in-sin glass curtains you can roll right down
In case there's a change in the weather
Two bright side lights winkin' and blinkin'
Ain't no fingering what I'm thinkin'
You'd be fingering if you're thinkin' that I'd care to swap
For the shiny little surrey with the fringe on top
In "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top," the singer uses a fancy carriage as a metaphor for his love interest. The carriage, with its yellow wheels, brown upholstery and high-stepping horses with colorful fringe, represents the thrill that comes with being with someone he loves. He urges his love interest to come with him in this carriage and watch how the fringe flutters in the wind. He also warns her that their outing in the surrey will draw attention and have people peeping through their windows.
The singer is so enamored with his love interest that he feels the surrey with the fringe on top is no match for her beauty. He scoffs at the idea that anyone would trade his love interest for the shiny little surrey. The song is a classic show tune from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Oklahoma!" and is often performed as a romantic duet.
Line by Line Meaning
Chicks and geese and ducks better scurry
Other animals will move out of the way
When I take you out in the surrey
When we drive around in the vehicle
When I take you out in the surrey with the fringe on top
When we drive around in this specific type of vehicle
Watch the fringe and see how it flutters
Observe the decorative hanging fabric move in the breeze
I will ride those high-steppin' strutters
I will control the horses with grace and ease
Nosy pokes will peek through their shutters
People will stop and stare when they see us
And their eyes will pop
They will be surprised or amazed
The wheels are yeller the upholstery brown
The wheels of the vehicle are yellow and the seats are brown
The dash board's genuine leather
The front of the vehicle is covered in real leather
With in-sin glass curtains you can roll right down
There are curtains made of a certain type of glass that can be opened
In case there's a change in the weather
This feature is helpful if the weather suddenly changes
Two bright side lights winkin' and blinkin'
The vehicle has two bright headlights
Ain't no fingering what I'm thinkin'
It's impossible to know what I'm thinking
You'd be fingering if you're thinkin' that I'd care to swap
You would be mistaken to think I would trade this vehicle for another one
For the shiny little surrey with the fringe on top
This vehicle is special and unique because of its fringe decoration
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind