Everything Happens to Me
Life's Hard Luck Serenade
Lyrics
Black cats creep across my path
Experiencing superstition and bad luck as symbolized by black cats crossing the path.
Until I'm almost mad
Feeling close to madness due to persistent bad luck.
I must have 'roused the devil's wrath
Suspecting that unfortunate events are a result of angering or upsetting the devil.
Cause all my luck is bad
Attributing a string of bad luck to arousing the devil's displeasure.
I make a date for golf and you can bet your life it rains
Planning an outdoor activity (golf) but experiencing inevitable setbacks like rain.
I try to give a party and the guy upstairs complains
Attempting to host a party, but facing complaints from a neighbor.
I guess I'll go through life
Expressing a resigned attitude towards life's challenges.
Just catchin' colds and missin' trains
Expecting a life filled with common troubles like catching colds and missing trains.
Everything happens to me
Summarizing the theme: a series of unfortunate events occurring.
I never miss a thing
Indicating a consistent pattern of not avoiding troubles or mishaps.
I've had the measles and the mumps
Listing past experiences with illnesses (measles and mumps).
And every time I play an ace
Expressing a pattern where personal successes are overshadowed by someone else's.
My partner always trumps
Continuing the theme of being outdone, even in favorable situations.
Guess I'm just a fool who never looks before he jumps
Acknowledging a tendency to act impulsively without considering consequences.
Everything happens to me
Reiterating the recurring theme of facing a series of unfortunate events.
At first my heart thought you could break this jinx for me
Initially believing that love could break the streak of bad luck.
That love would turn the trick to end despair
Hoping that love would bring an end to despair and misfortune.
But know I just can't fool this head that thinks for me
Realizing that love alone cannot overcome the challenges faced.
I've mortgaged all my castles in the air
Mentioning the sacrifices made (mortgaging castles in the air) for love.
I've telegraphed and phoned
Communicating through various means (telegraph, phone, "Airmail Special").
I send an "Airmail Special" too
Expressing efforts to reach out for a response.
Your answer was "Goodbye"
Receiving a final and definitive response of "Goodbye."
And there was even postage due
Noting the added cost (postage due) associated with the rejection.
I fell in love just once
Recalling a single instance of falling in love.
And then it had to be with you
Acknowledging that the one time was with the person who brought hardship.
Everything happens to me
Reiterating the idea that a series of unfortunate events happens consistently.
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