If I Were a Bell
Love's Playful Symphony: If I Were a Bell by Carmen McRae
Lyrics
Ask me how do I feel, ask me now that we're cozy and clingin'
Expressing a request to inquire about the speaker's current emotional state in the context of being close and intimate.
Well sir, all I can say, is if I were a bell I'd be ringin'
Using a metaphor, the speaker implies that they feel joyful and excited, comparing their emotional state to the ringing of a bell.
From the moment we kissed tonight, that's the way I've just gotta behave
Describing the impact of a recent kiss and expressing a commitment to a particular behavior resulting from that kiss.
Boy, if I were a lamp I'd light or if I were a banner I'd wave
Continuing with metaphors, the speaker suggests they would shine brightly or make a bold statement if they were an inanimate object like a lamp or a banner.
Ask me how do I feel, little me with my quiet upbringing
Responding to a similar question about feelings, emphasizing the speaker's modest upbringing.
Well sir, all I can say is if gate I'd be swinging
Continuing the metaphor, the speaker envisions themselves as a swinging gate, suggesting a desire for openness or change.
And if I were a watch I'd start popping my springs
If the speaker were a watch, they would convey excitement by figuratively popping their springs.
Or if I were a bell I'd go ding dong, ding dong ding
Repeating the bell metaphor, the speaker playfully suggests they would make a joyful sound (ding dong) if they were a bell.
Yes, I knew my morale would crack
Anticipating a boost in morale due to the attractive appearance of the other person.
From the wonderful way that you looked
Expressing the impact of the other person's appearance on the speaker's morale.
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack
Continuing with metaphors, the speaker humorously imagines quacking like a duck if they were one.
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked
Extending the metaphor, the speaker suggests being "cooked" like a goose, possibly alluding to feeling overwhelmed.
Ask me how do I feel, ask me now that we're fondly caressing
Responding to another inquiry about feelings in the context of affectionate touching.
Well, if I were a salad, I know I'd be splashing my dressing
Using the metaphor of a salad, the speaker envisions themselves as lively and vibrant, splashing dressing metaphorically.
Or if I were a season, I'd surely be spring
If the speaker were a season, they would be spring, symbolizing freshness and renewal.
Or if I were a gate, I would swing, have a fling almost any old thing
Exploring various hypothetical scenarios, the speaker playfully suggests they would engage in diverse activities if they were different things.
Or if I were a bell I'd go ding dong, ding dong
Reiterating the bell metaphor, the speaker expresses the desire to make a joyful sound.
Ding dong ding dong ding dong ding ding dong
Concluding with the repetition of the bell imagery, emphasizing the playful and joyful nature of the speaker's feelings.
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