Tupelo Honey
The Springfields Lyrics


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You can take all the tea in China
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail right round the seven oceans
Drop it straight into the deep blue sea

He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee

Now you can't stop us on the road to freedom
You can't keep us 'cause our eyes can see
Men with insight, men in granite
Knights in armor bent on chivalry

He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee

I heard a tale of old Manhattan
I've never been there, but I want, want to go
Standing waiting on my number
And my number, it's gonna show

He's as sweet as Tupelo, Tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet, he's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee

He's as sweet, he's as sweet as Tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet as Tupelo honey




Just like honey, baby, from the bee
He's as sweet, he's as sweet

Overall Meaning

as Tupelo honey, ooh-ooh-ooh


The lyrics to The Springfields's song Tupelo Honey are a beautiful ode to a lover who is as sweet as Tupelo honey, an extremely sweet and light-colored honey produced in the southeastern United States. The opening verses speak of the lover's sweetness, comparing it to the honey produced by bees from the Tupelo tree. The singer expresses her desire to have all the tea in China and sail right around the seven oceans just to drop it into the deep blue sea, as a way of illustrating the enormity of her love for this sweet lover of hers. The third verse speaks of freedom and the power of insight, referring to knights in armor and valor as a metaphor for those who fight for the cause of freedom. The final verse hints at the possibility of a new love or adventure, as the singer talks of a desire to go to Manhattan and wait for her number to be called.


The main theme of the song is love and the sweetness of life that it brings. The singer compares her lover to the best honey in the world and her words are filled with longing and admiration. The imagery in the song is powerful, especially the tea and omissions, which represent the extent to which the singer would do anything for her love. The references to Manhattan and freedom hint at the broader political and social concerns of the day, making this song more than just a love song but also a commentary on the state of the world at the time.


Line by Line Meaning

You can take all the tea in China
No amount of wealth or treasures can compare to the sweetness of love.


Put it in a big brown bag for me
Love is something that can be contained and held onto, but it can't be bought.


Sail right round the seven oceans
Love can take you on a journey, reaching the farthest corners of the world.


Drop it straight into the deep blue sea
Even if love seems to be lost, it will always remain deep within the soul.


He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
The subject of the song, likely a lover, is as sweet as one of nature's sweetest substances - Tupelo honey.


He's an angel of the first degree
The subject is virtuous and angelic in nature.


Just like honey, baby, from the bee
The subject's sweetness is pure and natural, like honey from a bee.


Now you can't stop us on the road to freedom
Once the heart finds true love, nothing can stand in the way of its path to freedom.


You can't keep us 'cause our eyes can see
Those in love have a clear vision of their future together, and will not be deterred.


Men with insight, men in granite
People with wisdom and strength will always understand and support true love.


Knights in armor bent on chivalry
Lovers are brave and chivalrous in their pursuit of one another.


I heard a tale of old Manhattan
The subject has not yet been to Manhattan, but has heard romantic stories that evoke a desire to visit.


I've never been there, but I want, want to go
The subject longs to experience the romantic setting of Manhattan.


Standing waiting on my number
The subject eagerly anticipates the opportunity to visit Manhattan.


And my number, it's gonna show
The subject believes that his or her chance to visit Manhattan is imminent.


He's as sweet, he's as sweet as Tupelo honey
The subject is again compared to the sweetness of Tupelo honey.


Just like honey, baby, from the bee
The subject's sweet nature is once again emphasized.


He's as sweet, he's as sweet as Tupelo honey
The song repeats the comparison between the subject and Tupelo honey.


He's an angel of the first degree
Once again, the character of the subject is described as angelic.


He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
The song emphasizes once more the subject's sweetness.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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