Ruth Etting (November 23, 1897 – September 24, 1978) was an American singin… Read Full Bio ↴Ruth Etting (November 23, 1897 – September 24, 1978) was an American singing star and actress of the 1920s and 1930s, who had over sixty hit recordings and worked in stage, radio, and film. She was known as America's Radio Sweetheart, and was the top female vocalist in America for several years, often singing in the 'torch' song style. In 1925, Ruth Etting was discovered by a Columbia record executive in Chicago and was signed to a nation-wide deal. In 1927 she was recommended by Irving Berlin to Florenz Ziegfeld for a spot in his Follies. She was an instant success in New York, and the top vocalist in the country for a number of years.

Ruth was born in David City, Nebraska. Her mother died when she was 5, and her father left her with her grandparents, George and Hannah Etting, who owned a roller mill. Her father remarried and moved away, seldom visiting his daughter. When she was 17 she moved to Chicago to attend art school, and got a job designing costumes at a night club. One night the tenor got sick and since she was the only one who could sing low enough, she took his place, and landed a job in the chorus. By 1918 she was one of the club's featured vocalists. It was there she met Moe "The Gimp" Snyder, a wanna-be gangster who took over management of Ruth's career and married her in 1922.

After her New York sucess, she moved to Los Angeles and had roles in a number of films including Roman Scandals with Eddie Cantor. There are conflicting stories about the scandal that virtually ended her career. The marriage between Ms. Etting and The Gimp was virtually loveless from the beginning, and he was a demanding and controlling manager who would not let other men near his wife. They were divorced in 1937. While in Los Angeles she began spending time with Myrl Alderman, a pianist who had played with her earlier in her career. In 1938, The Gimp forced his way into Ruth's house, and shot Alderman, wounding him. The subsequent trial put a halt to her career, although she did make some appearances in 1947. Ruth and Myrl married and retired to Colorado Springs, where she died in 1978. The academy award nominated movie version of her life story, Love me or Leave Me, with Jimmy Cagney and Doris Day, was apparently highly fictionalized.

It's a Sin to Tell a Lie
Ruth Etting Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Be sure it's true when you say, "I love you"
It's a sin to tell a lie
Millions of heart have been broken
Just because these words were spoken

I love you, yes, I do, I love you
If you break my heart I'll die
So be sure it's true when you say, "I love you"

It's a sin to tell a lie

I love you, yes, I do, I love you
If you break my heart I'll die

So be sure it's true when you say, "I love you"
It's a sin to tell a lie

Overall Meaning

Ruth Etting's song "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" is a cautionary ode to the importance of truth and honesty in matters of the heart. The lyrics express the idea that speaking insincerely can cause great pain and heartbreak for others, and that one should only profess love if it is truly felt. The song begins by admonishing the listener to carefully consider their words before speaking them aloud, reminding them that it is a terrible thing to deceive someone by making false assertions. The chorus reinforces this idea, stressing that countless hearts have been shattered by such dishonesty.

The second verse continues in this vein, emphasizing the stakes of the situation by suggesting that the singer's very life hangs in the balance. The intensity of the emotions involved is underscored by this dramatic assertion, which adds weight to the notion that honesty is of paramount importance. The final stanza of the song repeats the chorus again for emphasis, suggesting that the message of the song is one that bears repeating.

Overall, "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" is a powerful plea for emotional honesty and sincerity in all matters of love and affection. Its simple yet moving lyrics have resonated with listeners for years, inspiring contemplation on the true nature of love and the importance of truth in human relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Be sure it's true when you say, "I love you"
Make certain that your statement of love is genuine and sincere before expressing it

It's a sin to tell a lie
Lying is morally wrong and can cause harm to others

Millions of heart have been broken
Countless individuals have suffered emotional pain due to false declarations of love

Just because these words were spoken
Heartbreak and disappointment can result from insincere expressions of love

I love you, yes, I do, I love you
I am expressing my sincere love for you

If you break my heart I'll die
If you betray my trust or hurt me emotionally, it will have devastating consequences for me

Contributed by Ryan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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