The Girl From Dungannon
St. Laurence O'Toole Lyrics


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Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah

When she walks, she's like a samba
That swings so cool and sways so gentle
That when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
(Ooh) But he watch her so sadly
How can he tell her he loves her
Yes I would give my heart gladly
But each day, that she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at he

Tall, (and) tan, (and) young, (and) lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, he smile - but she doesn't see




(Doesn't see)
(She just doesn't see, she never sees him)

Overall Meaning

The Girl from Dungannon is a song by St. Laurence O'Toole that has been interpreted in many ways. The song is about a beautiful girl from Dungannon who walks down the streets of the town attracting the attention of everyone who sees her. She is described as tall, tan, young and lovely, with a samba-like walk that swings so cool and gentle. When she walks down the street, she captures the attention of all the men, who follow her with their eyes as she passes.


The song takes a sad turn when the singer reveals that he is in love with the girl from Dungannon but can't bring himself to tell her. He follows her every day as she walks to the sea, but she never looks at him. The singer watches her sadly as she walks away, wishing he could tell her how he feels but unable to find the words.


The Girl from Dungannon is a beautifully written song that captures the feelings of unrequited love. The lyrics are poetic and convey the emotions of the singer, who is helplessly in love with a girl who doesn't know he exists. The gentle, samba-like melody of the song adds to its melancholic and nostalgic mood.


Line by Line Meaning

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The subject of the song is an attractive young lady who is tall, tan-skinned and lovely.


The girl from Ipanema goes walking
The girl is seen walking around in Ipanema and people take notice of her.


And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
She walks with grace and style, so much so that everyone who sees her lets out a sigh of admiration.


When she walks, she's like a samba
Her walk is likened to the rhythm of the samba, which is known for its cool, swaying movement.


That swings so cool and sways so gentle
The lady's movement is smooth and graceful, like the gentle swaying of a samba rhythm.


That when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
Everyone who sees her is captivated by her beauty, elegance and grace.


(Ooh) But he watch her so sadly
The singer, who is watching the girl walk by, does so with a sense of sadness and longing.


How can he tell her he loves her
The singer is in love with the girl but does not know how to express his feelings to her.


Yes I would give my heart gladly
The singer is willing to give his heart to this lady, should she accept his love.


But each day, that she walks to the sea
This lady walks to the sea every day, indicating that she is unattainable and out of reach for the singer.


She looks straight ahead, not at he
The girl does not acknowledge the singer, indicating that she is not interested in him.


The girl from Ipanema goes walking
The girl continues to walk around Ipanema, attracting attention with her beauty and grace.


And when she passes, he smile - but she doesn't see
The singer continues to admire the girl but she remains oblivious to his presence and feelings.


(Doesn't see)
The girl does not notice the singer and is therefore unaware of his love for her.


(She just doesn't see, she never sees him)
The girl remains oblivious to the singer's presence and never acknowledges his feelings for her.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Norman Gimbel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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