So Long Dearie
hello dolly! Lyrics
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Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Don't try to stop me Horace please
Wave your little hand and whisper, so long dearie
You ain't gonna see me anymore
And when you discover that your life is dreary
Don't you come a knockin' at my door
'Cause I'll be all dolled up and singin' that song
That says you dog, I told you so
So wave your little hand and whisper, so long dearie
Dearie, should have said so long, so long ago
Because you've treated me so rotten and rough
I've had enough of feelin' low
So wave your little hand and whisper so long dearie
Dearie would have said so long, so long ago
For I can hear that choo choo callin' me on
To a fancy new address
Yes, I can hear that choo choo callin' me on
On board that happiness express
I'm gonna learn to dance
And drink and smoke a cigarette
I'm gone as far away from Yonkers
As a girl can get, so
And on those cold winter nights, Horace
You can snuggle up to your cash register
It's a little lumpy but it rings
Don't come a knockin'
I'll be all dolled up and singin' that song
That says you dog, I told you so
So Horace, you would find your life a sad old story
You'll be livin' in that lonesome territory
When you see your Dolly shuffle off to glory
Oh, I should have said so long
How could I have been wrong?
Oh, I should have said so long
So long ago
The lyrics to Hello Dolly's song "So Long Dearie" are a powerful message from a woman who has had enough of being mistreated in a relationship. The song is directed towards Horace, her former lover, who is asked to wave a little hand and whisper "so long dearie" as a way of saying goodbye. The woman in the song is determined to move on with her life and have a fresh start somewhere new.
The lyrics suggest that the woman has been treated poorly by her ex-lover and she no longer wants to put up with his neglectful behavior. She sings, "because you've treated me so rotten and rough, I've had enough of feeling low." The woman's dissatisfaction with the relationship is further emphasized in the verse, "dearie should have said so long, so long ago" which suggests that she should have ended the relationship sooner.
Additionally, the song highlights the woman's determination to create a better life for herself. She plans to leave Yonkers and start anew somewhere she can learn how to dance and live the life that she wants, with no one to hold her back. As she says, "I'm gone as far away from Yonkers as a girl can get."
Overall, "So Long Dearie" is a powerful song that captures the end of a relationship and the woman's desire for a new beginning. It sends a message of resilience and determination which is why it has become such an iconic piece within the musical theatre world.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
I am leaving and saying goodbye multiple times to show the finality of my decision.
Don't try to stop me Horace please
Please do not try to stop me from leaving, Horace.
Wave your little hand and whisper, so long dearie
Just wave and say goodbye to me, dearie.
You ain't gonna see me anymore
You will not be seeing me again.
And when you discover that your life is dreary
When you realize that your life is not as exciting as mine.
Don't you come a knockin' at my door
Please do not come back to my doorstep.
'Cause I'll be all dolled up and singin' that song
I will be dressed up and singing a song proudly.
That says you dog, I told you so
That song will be telling you that you should have listened to me.
Dearie, should have said so long, so long ago
You should have said goodbye long before now.
Because you've treated me so rotten and rough
You have treated me poorly and with disrespect.
I've had enough of feelin' low
I am tired of feeling sad and low.
For I can hear that choo choo callin' me on
I hear a train calling me to leave this place.
To a fancy new address
To a new, glamorous location.
Yes, I can hear that choo choo callin' me on
I am eager to leave this place and start anew.
On board that happiness express
I am going to explore a new, happier life.
I'm gonna learn to dance
I am excited to learn new, fun skills.
And drink and smoke a cigarette
I will indulge in vices that were not permitted before.
I'm gone as far away from Yonkers
I am determined to leave this place and put distance between us.
As a girl can get, so
I will travel as far as I can to start a new life.
And on those cold winter nights, Horace
When you are alone on winter nights, Horace.
You can snuggle up to your cash register
You are left with your money and possessions, alone.
It's a little lumpy but it rings
Your riches may not bring comfort, but at least they make noise.
Don't come a knockin'
Do not return to me.
So Horace, you would find your life a sad old story
Your life will be dull and unremarkable without me.
You'll be livin' in that lonesome territory
You will be alone and unhappy.
When you see your Dolly shuffle off to glory
When you witness me leaving and moving on to a better life.
Oh, I should have said so long
I should have left you earlier on.
How could I have been wrong?
I know that leaving you is the right decision.
Oh, I should have said so long
I should have said goodbye sooner.
So long ago
Much earlier than now.
Contributed by Ryan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chloesuied
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Don't try to stop me, Horace, please
Wave your little hand and whisper so long dearie
You ain't gonna see me anymore
And when you discover that your life is dreary
Don't you come knockin' at my door
'Cause I'll be all dolled up and singin' that song
That says, "You dog, I told you so"
So wave your little hand and whisper so long dearie
Dearie, should have said so long, so long ago
Because you've treated me so rotten and rough
I've had enough of feelin' low
So wave your little hand and whisper, so long dearie
Dearie would have said so long, so long ago
For I can hear that Choo Choo callin' me on
To a fancy new address
Yes, I can hear that Choo Choo callin' me on
On board that Happiness Express
I'm gonna learn to dance and drink and smoke a cigarette
I'm goin' as far away from Yonkers as a girl can get
So and on those cold winter nights, Horace
You can snuggle up to your cash register
It's a bit lumpy but it rings, don't come knockin'
I'll be all dolled up and singin' that song
That says, "You dog, I told you so"
So Horace, you will find your life a sad old story
You'll be livin' in that lonesome territory
When you see your Dolly shuffle off to glory
Oh, I should have said so long
How could I have been wrong?
Oh, I should have said so long
So long ago
@devinwalleck4118
The fact that there was actually mutual resentment between the two in real life made their performance more believable in this number.
@kurwayork
I read that Matthau said of her that he had seen more talent in a butterfly's fart
@rr7firefly
That animosity has been recorded in several accounts about the filming of the movie. Tensions came to a head in a heated argument between Streisand and Matthau on June 6, 1968, on a hot day in Garrison (which stood in for Yonkers in the movie). That was notably the day after Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. Supposedly when Matthau confronted Babs he told her that no one on the set liked her. She retreated to her trailer in tears. Or so I saw in print years ago.
@wwaxwork
Professionals.
@johnsax1445
The only star in a Barbra Streisand Movie is ME—Barbra.
@susieq8424
True. However looks like they somehow overcame that resentment after. By 1986 they seemed to be in good terms. Matthau even attended the One Voice concert at Streisand’s house.
@brentwalker3300
That operatic jump from high to low register for dramatic effect always cracks me up. What a genius diva Barbra was and is.
@hollyavillella554
Absolutely!! ❤💯
@rayofsunshine9718
I love the fact that she is trying to gain his attention😂😂
"Don't try to stop me Horace PLEEASSEE!!"
@putrijoyceirawati2638
This has always been my favorite Hello, Dolly scene. The way she sings "Goodbye...." always cravks me up 🤣🤣