Garland was known for his eloquent middle-of-the-road style. A fertile, often moving improvisor, he developed a characteristic block chord sound by combining octaves with a fifth in the middle in the right hand over left-hand comp (accompanying) chords. The style has been much imitated.
If I Were a Bell
Red Garland Lyrics
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Now that we're cosy and clinging,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a bell I'd be ringing!
From the moment we kissed goodnight,
That's the way I just gotta behave,
And if I were a lamp I'd light,
Ask me how do I feel,
Little me with my quiet upbringing,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a gate I'd be swinging!
And if I were a watch,
I'd start popping my spring,
Oh, and if I were a bell
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
Ask me how do I feel
From this chemistry lesson I'm learning,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a bridge I'd be burning!
Well, I knew my moral would crack
From the wonderful way you looked,
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack,
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked!
Ask me how do I feel
Now that we're fondly caressing,
And if I were a salad,
I know I'd be splashing my dressing!
Or if I were a season,
I'd surely be Spring,
Yes, and if I were a bell,
Say, if I were a bell,
If I were a bell
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
The lyrics to Red Garland's song "If I Were A Bell" describe a feeling of intense joy and excitement that the singer experiences in the presence of their lover. The singer compares themselves to objects that have an energetic and lively presence, like a ringing bell, a lamp lighting up, and a banner waving. They express their feelings in a playful and whimsical way by imagining themselves as different objects that embody the joy and excitement they feel.
The singer's excitement is palpable in the second verse when they talk about how they would behave after they kissed their lover goodnight. The lyric "That's the way I just gotta behave" implies that the singer is unable to contain their joy and wants to express it in any way possible. The singer continues with the metaphor by saying that if they were a watch, they would start "popping their spring" in excitement. The chorus repeats the same sentiment from a different angle, with the singer excitedly saying that if they were a bridge, they would be burning.
Overall, the lyrics of "If I Were A Bell" are a lighthearted expression of intense joy and excitement. The singer uses playful imagery to describe their happiness, and the repeated refrain of "If I were a bell, I'd go ding dong ding dong ding!" reinforces the feeling of exuberance.
Line by Line Meaning
Ask me how do I feel,
I am being asked how I feel
Now that we're cosy and clinging,
Now that we're close and affectionate
Well sir, all I can say is
My response is
If I were a bell I'd be ringing!
I'd be feeling joyous and exuberant
From the moment we kissed goodnight,
From the moment we shared a goodnight kiss
That's the way I just gotta behave,
That's just how I have to act
And if I were a lamp I'd light,
I'd be happy and shining
Or if I were a banner I'd wave!
I'd be lively and animated
Little me with my quiet upbringing,
I grew up in a modest and unassuming way
If I were a gate I'd be swinging!
I'd be feeling carefree and unrestrained
And if I were a watch,
If I were a timepiece
I'd start popping my spring,
I'd be feeling excitable and lively
Oh, and if I were a bell
If I were a musical instrument
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
I'd be creating joyful sounds
From this chemistry lesson I'm learning,
From this experience I'm having
If I were a bridge I'd be burning!
I'd be feeling intense emotions
Well, I knew my moral would crack
I knew my self-control would weaken
From the wonderful way you looked,
From how wonderful you appeared
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack,
I'd be feeling silly and carefree
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked!
I'd be in trouble or danger
Now that we're fondly caressing,
Now that we're tenderly touching
And if I were a salad,
If I were a dish of mixed vegetables
I know I'd be splashing my dressing!
I'd be showing off and enjoying myself
Or if I were a season,
If I represented a time of year
I'd surely be Spring,
I'd be associated with renewal and growth
Yes, and if I were a bell,
And just like before, if I were a musical instrument
Say, if I were a bell,
If I had to pick an instrument
If I were a bell
If I were experiencing intense emotions
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
I'd be showing it in lively sounds
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY C BROCKERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheBrendaji
I have always loved Red Garland. He swings so hard and is relaxed at the same time. Sounds effortless.
Joan M James
Yes, he definitely has a soft touch. My son discovered him at The Olive Garden.
Danny Arthur
Great album, great pianist!!!
George Higgins
The line at 1:51 is also at a later tune in the album! Pretty cool reference!
Joan M James
I love Red Garland's music too!! Don't forget Andrew Hill, Wynton Kelly, and Tommy Flanagan.
Ole Birger Pedersen
I won't.
Mario Calzada
Super playing!
Ethan Fanshel
Awesome!
The Rock Ancestor
Red has gotta be my 2nd favourite pianist, after thelonious, of course
Ole Birger Pedersen
What about Bud Powel, Barry Harris and a lot of others ?