Tootin' My Baby Back Home
Ziggy Elman and His Orchestra Lyrics


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Gee, it's great after bein' out late
Walkin' my baby back home
Arm in arm over meadow and farm
Walkin' my baby back home

We go 'long harmonizing a song
Or I'm recitin' a poem
Owls go by and they give me the eye
Walkin' my baby back home

We stop for a while, she gives me a smile
And snuggles her head on my chest
We start in to pet and that's when I get
Her talcum all over my vest

After I kinda straighten my tie
She has to borrow my comb
Once kiss then I continue again
Walkin' my baby back home

She's afraid of the dark so I have to park
Outside of her door till it's light
She says if I try to kiss her she'll cry
I dry her tears all through the night

Hand in hand to a barbecue stand
Right from her doorway we roam
Eats and then it's a pleasure again
Walkin' my baby
Talkin' my baby
Lovin' my baby




I don't mean maybe
Walkin' my baby back home

Overall Meaning

Ziggy Elman and His Orchestra's song "Tootin' My Baby Back Home" is a charming and nostalgic tune about a couple walking back home after a night out. The lyrics celebrate the simple joys of spending time with a loved one, from walking arm in arm over meadow and farm, to harmonizing a song, to reciting a poem. The owl that gives the singer the eye as he walks with his love adds a touch of playfulness to the song. The lyrics also touch on the physical aspects of the relationship, like snuggling, petting, and getting talcum powder on one's vest. The singer's affection for his baby is clear, and it's touching that he is willing to be patient and attentive to her fears of the dark.


The lyrics of "Tootin' My Baby Back Home" are a wonderful example of the kind of sentimental, romantic songs that were popular in the 1940s. The song paints an idyllic picture of a simpler time, when walking your sweetheart home was a cherished pastime. The lyrics are filled with playful puns and wordplay, like the line "Once kiss then I continue again." The music, too, is upbeat and infectious, with a catchy horn riff that runs throughout the song. Listening to this song today, it's easy to feel transported back to a different era, when swing music and big band jazz ruled the airwaves.


Line by Line Meaning

Gee, it's great after bein' out late
I feel great after a late night out.


Walkin' my baby back home
Walking home with my significant other is amazing.


Arm in arm over meadow and farm
I'm enjoying every moment of strolling outdoors with my partner.


We go 'long harmonizing a song
We enjoy singing together while walking.


Or I'm recitin' a poem
I recite a poem to my partner for fun.


Owls go by and they give me the eye
The nocturnal birds watch us and our interactions.


We stop for a while, she gives me a smile
We take short breaks while walking, and she smiles at me.


And snuggles her head on my chest
She rests her head on my chest while we're together.


We start in to pet and that's when I get
We show affection, and she accidentally gets talcum powder on my vest.


Her talcum all over my vest
Her talcum powder got all over my vest.


After I kinda straighten my tie
I fix my tie after the talcum powder incident.


She has to borrow my comb
She needs my comb to fix her hair.


Once kiss then I continue again
We share a quick kiss before continuing our walk.


She's afraid of the dark so I have to park
She's afraid of the dark and needs me to walk her to her door.


Outside of her door till it's light
I stay by her door until the sun rises.


She says if I try to kiss her she'll cry
She jokes that she'll cry if I try to kiss her.


I dry her tears all through the night
I comfort her and dry her tears throughout the night.


Hand in hand to a barbecue stand
We walk together hand in hand to find a barbecue stand.


Right from her doorway we roam
We start our adventure from her doorstep.


Eats and then it's a pleasure again
We enjoy our meal and continue having a great time.


Walkin' my baby
I love walking my partner home.


Talkin' my baby
We enjoy each other's company and conversation.


Lovin' my baby
I'm deeply in love with my partner.


I don't mean maybe
I'm absolutely serious about my love for her and our time together.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: FRED E. AHLERT, ROGER GAUFFRETEAU, ROY TURK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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