Boston Beans
Peggy Lee Lyrics


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I took a trip to Boston
I was feeling in the mood
For a plate of that wonderful famous food
When I got there I had a big shock
Just about as big as a whole city block

They have no beans in Boston
Plenty of fish
Chinese food if that's your dish
Steaks and chops are a beautiful fair
I couldn't find any Boston beans there

When Captain John Smith came in 1614
He was the first diplomat that the Indians had seen
If they had Boston Beans than I really wouldn't know
Got to admit that was a long time ago

No beans in Boston
Plenty of fish
Chinese food if that's your dish
Steaks and chops are a beautiful fair
I couldn't find any Boston beans there

And when Paul Revere rode his horse that night
And lit those lanterns before the big fight
He must of been hungry when he got back
Boston beans would of been a beautiful snack

They have some tea leaves left from that well known party
Great museums if your feeling hearty
They have Cambridge and Harvard and MIT
The didn't have any beans for me

No beans in Boston




Plenty of fish
Chinese food if that's your dish
Steaks and chops are a beautiful fair
I couldn't find any Boston beans there

I Love Boston but there's no beans there

Overall Meaning

The song "Boston Beans" by Peggy Lee is a humorous take on the disappointment experienced by the singer when she goes on a trip to Boston expecting to indulge in the famous Boston beans, only to realize that they are nowhere to be found. The song starts with the singer expressing her excitement and anticipation for the trip, but her joy is short-lived as she discovers that Boston, unlike popular perception, does not have baked beans as its signature dish. Instead, the city offers a variety of other dishes, such as fish, Chinese food, steaks, and chops. The song invokes historical references to highlight the absence of beans in Boston, such as Captain John Smith's arrival and Paul Revere's ride. The lyrics essentially suggest that though Boston has a lot to offer, some things that are traditionally associated with the city may not be found there.


The song is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on how a place's reputation can belie its reality, and how accepting an image in one's mind can lead to a shock when it comes to fruition. It highlights the idea that Boston's culture extends beyond just its cuisine and lists other things that make the city attractive, such as its museums and universities. The lyrics "I Love Boston but there's no beans there" sum up the mood of a traveler who had set expectations based on stereotypes and faced disappointment upon finding out that reality is not the same as the image in their head.


Line by Line Meaning

I took a trip to Boston
I went to Boston for a visit


I was feeling in the mood
I felt like having something specific


For a plate of that wonderful famous food
I was craving for the famous Boston beans


When I got there I had a big shock
I was surprised when I arrived


Just about as big as a whole city block
It was a big shock for me


They have no beans in Boston
I discovered that Boston doesn't have beans


Plenty of fish
Boston has plenty of fish dishes


Chinese food if that's your dish
You can also have Chinese food in Boston


Steaks and chops are a beautiful fair
Boston has great options for steak and chops


I couldn't find any Boston beans there
I searched for Boston beans but couldn't find them


When Captain John Smith came in 1614
In 1614, John Smith arrived in Boston


He was the first diplomat that the Indians had seen
Indians saw John Smith as the first diplomat


If they had Boston Beans than I really wouldn't know
I'm not sure if Boston had beans back then


Got to admit that was a long time ago
It has been a long time since 1614


And when Paul Revere rode his horse that night
During Paul Revere's ride,


And lit those lanterns before the big fight
He lit the lanterns before a big fight


He must of been hungry when he got back
Paul Revere was probably hungry when he returned


Boston beans would of been a beautiful snack
Paul Revere might have enjoyed some Boston beans as a snack


They have some tea leaves left from that well known party
Boston has some tea leaves from the Boston Tea Party


Great museums if your feeling hearty
Boston also has great museums to visit


They have Cambridge and Harvard and MIT
Boston has famous academic institutions in the area


The didn't have any beans for me
Despite all that, I still couldn't find any Boston beans


I Love Boston but there's no beans there
Even if there aren't any beans, I still love Boston




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILL SCHLUGER, MILTON RASKIN, PEGGY LEE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous


on Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too)

Why Don't You Do Right - Casey Abrams - Lyrics
You had plenty money 1922
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?

Get out of here and get me some money too?
You're sitting there wondering what it's all about
You ain't got no money, they will throw you out
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?

Musical Interlude

You had plenty money 1922
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?