On the Run
Tea For Two Lyrics


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(S. Weber/M. Schumpelt/J.O. Soerup)
I
see the old man
see the child in front
wondering'bout what's heaven
and don't forget reality
dream, feel it and fly away...
where did you start
how could you forget
you heard the voice
you got this feeling
you know we'll hurt you so join the cage
and believe in what we said
where did you come from
how could you forget
you're just a puppet
so join the cage
instead you're showing us feelings
try to be a man
how could you forget, you're on the run
where are those who prayed the lies
where are those who get the prize
where are those who named the prophets
let me get out of here
I'm sitting on the edge of a lake
still watching that moon and the clouds
still staring
still smoking another cigarrette and I know




maybe I am a looser, oh, maybe I am the looser
maybe I am - go!

Overall Meaning

The Tea For Two song "On The Run" is a reflection on the dichotomy between reality and dreams, and the struggle to balance them. The lyrics describe seeing an old man and a child, both contemplating heaven and the real world. The singer wonders where they both began and how they arrived at their current state of questioning. The old man and child represent the lived experiences and youthful wonder necessary to achieve a balanced perspective.


The following lines suggest that there are those who will hurt you and manipulate you, and that it is easy to forget who you are and become trapped in this cycle of abuse. The cage represents the boundaries and limitations imposed by societal expectations and the pressure to conform. Despite this pressure, the singer implores the listener to hold onto their feelings and try to be true to themselves.


The closing lines of the song speak to the desire to escape from the pressures of the world and find peace in solitude. The imagery of sitting on the edge of a lake, watching the moon and smoking a cigarette suggests a temporary escape from reality. The repeated phrase "maybe I am a looser, oh, maybe I am the looser" underscores the inner turmoil and self-doubt that accompanies balancing reality and dreams.


Line by Line Meaning

I see the old man
I notice the elderly person


see the child in front
I also see a young child ahead


wondering'bout what's heaven
The child seems curious about the afterlife


and don't forget reality
But they shouldn't ignore the present world


dream, feel it and fly away...
It's possible to escape through imagination and emotion


where did you start
Where did your journey begin?


how could you forget
How did you manage to forget?


you heard the voice
You heard a message or command


you got this feeling
You had a sensation or intuition


you know we'll hurt you so join the cage
You're aware that someone intends to harm you, so comply and limit your freedom


and believe in what we said
Trust in our words and authority


where did you come from
What's your origin?


you're just a puppet
You're being manipulated and controlled by others


so join the cage
Submit to confinement


instead you're showing us feelings
But you're demonstrating emotions, despite our expectation of compliance


try to be a man
You should strive to be brave and honorable


how could you forget, you're on the run
How could you forget that you're fleeing from danger?


where are those who prayed the lies
What happened to those who believed falsehoods?


where are those who get the prize
Where did those who received rewards go?


where are those who named the prophets
Where did those who appointed spiritual leaders go?


let me get out of here
I want to leave this place


I'm sitting on the edge of a lake
At the moment, I'm sitting by a body of water


still watching that moon and the clouds
I'm observing the moon and the clouds


still staring
I'm still gazing or looking intently


still smoking another cigarrette and I know
I'm continuing to smoke a cigarette and I recognize


maybe I am a looser, oh, maybe I am the looser
Perhaps I'm a failure or unsuccessful person


maybe I am - go!
Perhaps that's who I am and I should move on




Contributed by Leo G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@LaisAlbuquerqueSantos2

Picture you upon my knee
Just tea for two
And two for tea
Just me for you
And you for me...alone

[JIMMY:]
I'm discontented with homes that I've rented
So I have invented my own.
Darling, this place is lovely oasis
Where life's weary taste is unknown
Far from the crowded city
Where flowers pretty caress the stream
Cozy to hide in, to live side by side in,
Don't let it apart in my dream

Picture you upon my knee
Just tea for two
And two for tea
Just me for you
And you for me alone

[NANETTE:]
Nobody near us to see us or hear us Mm, mm, mm,
No friends or relations Mm, mm, mm,
On weekend vacations Mm, mm, mm.
We won't have it known, dear,
That we own a telephone, dear...

[NANETTE:]
Day will break and I'll wake
And start to bake a sugar cake
For you to take for all the boys to see

[BOTH:]
We'll raise a family

[JIMMY:]
A boy for you
And a girl for me

[BOTH:]
Can't you see how happy we would be...



All comments from YouTube:

@KristenLinkinhoker

I'm beyond blessed to have been raised on Doris Day's music. I was born in 1991 and my mother, who was born in 1964 raised me right.

@theOlLineRebel

Totally agree. I’m 20 years older than you but find my own age often did not have this background as my parents put on me. I thank them because I’m eclectic and love movies and music from all eras. Yes, that includes 1700s tunes!

@ggeorge4144

I am so glad you can appreciate great talent and music. I was born 1942 and my mother in 1923.

@michellefarrar9834

One of the best female voices of our time.

@lovvingd

Hello Michelle
How are you doing today?

@marynace6294

Doris Day was so beautiful. She looked like the girl next door everyone's sweetheart and talented too bad there aren't any around today that can compare with her

@godisbigenough

Agreed. Why I thought of bringing this music back

@Mtthyman

Jenifer Lawrence

@JoseLuisGonzalez-dp7qf

@Stephanie Ann Scott Never gone...

@IAMTHEIC3MAN

Look up Rita Payés. In my opinion, she's very comparable.

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