In A Shanty In Old Shanty Town
Ted Lewis & His Band Lyrics
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But I want to tell you folks
That I'd give the world
To be back, way way back
Where I used to be
You know
It's a heavenly nest
That's where, that's where I rest the best
Oh say
It's only a shanty
A shanty
In old Shanty Town
Why the roof is so slanty
It nearly touches the ground
That tumbled down shack
By an old railroad track
Like a millionaire's mansion
Is calling me back
Oh say
I'd give up a palace
A palace if I were a king
Why to me it's more than a palace
It's my life, it's my everything
And there's a queen waiting there, a queen I tell you, haha
With a silvery crown
In a little shanty in Shanty Town
And I've played with the big stars
Down East and now the West
And I lived, and
Yes, live like the big stars
And I've mixed, mixed with the best star
But you can turn out those lights
Turn 'em out, I tell ya'
And pick my name down
And you'll be welcomed
In my little shanty
In Old Shanty Town
Yes, sir
The lyrics of Ted Lewis's song "In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town" express a longing for a simpler and more humble way of life. The singer acknowledges that they may be perceived as "up in the world," but they would give it all up to return to the shanty town where they used to reside. This run-down and seemingly undesirable place is, to the singer, a "heavenly nest" where they can rest the best. The shanty means more to them than the whole world.
The second verse further emphasizes the value that the singer places on their shanty town home. They declare that even if they were a king, they would give up a palace to return there. The shanty and the queen waiting for them there are their life and everything. They compare the shanty to a millionaire's mansion, highlighting the inverted values and priorities of the singer. They've experienced being among the big stars and mixing with the best, but nothing compares to the comfort of their humble little shanty.
The song can be interpreted as a reflection of the limitations of material wealth and the value of one's roots and simple pleasures. The singer's love for their shanty town home is a testament to the idea that happiness doesn't always come from having the most luxurious things and that sometimes the things that matter most can be overlooked.
Line by Line Meaning
Say I'm up in the world
I may be successful but
But I want to tell you folks
let me tell you
That I'd give the world
I would sacrifice everything
To be back, way way back
if I could return to the past
Where I used to be
my previous dwelling place
You know
you're aware
It's a heavenly nest
it's like paradise
That's where, that's where I rest the best
that's where I feel most at home
And it means more than the world to me
it's of the utmost importance to me
Oh say
listen
It's only a shanty
though it's just a small, crude dwelling
A shanty in old Shanty Town
in a dilapidated neighborhood
Why the roof is so slanty
it's angled downward
It nearly touches the ground
almost to the earth
That tumbled down shack
that decaying, ramshackle house
By an old railroad track
next to the train tracks
Like a millionaire's mansion
it's my dream home
Is calling me back
is beckoning me to return
Oh say
listen
I'd give up a palace
I would relinquish a grand residence
A palace if I were a king
even if I were royalty
Why to me it's more than a palace
it's my most treasured possession
It's my life, it's my everything
it encompasses my entire being
And there's a queen waiting there, a queen I tell you, haha
my significant other is waiting for me
With a silvery crown
wearing a beautiful headdress
In a little shanty in Shanty Town
in our small home in a poor area
And I've played with the big stars
I've performed with famous people
Down East and now the West
in both the eastern and the western parts of the country
And I lived, and
I have experienced and enjoyed
Yes, live like the big stars
a lifestyle similar to those famous individuals
And I've mixed, mixed with the best star
I have associated with the most talented people
But you can turn out those lights
even if you extinguish those bright lights
Turn 'em out, I tell ya'
I insist
And pick my name down
erase my name from the billboards
And you'll be welcomed
I'll still welcome you
In my little shanty
to my humble dwelling
In old Shanty Town
in my beloved, shabby neighborhood
Yes, sir
indeed
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Schuster, Joe Young, Jack Little
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dougmontgomery1868
This was a hit song when my mother was a little kid...but it brings ME to tears!
@otrfan84128
Gosh, Columbia, I'd NEVER describe Ted Lewis' vocals as "incidental" ... one of a kind! :)
@michaeloleary1867
I love it!!
@jammasterjay4298
Take this song off my you tube page!!!!!!!