On the Road to Mandalay
Journey to Mandalay: Echoes of Longing in Sinatra's Melody
Lyrics
By the old Moulmein Pagoda lookin' eastward to the sea
Describing the location by the Moulmein Pagoda facing east towards the sea.
There's a Burma broad a settin and I know she thinks of me
Referring to a woman in Burma (Myanmar) thinking about the speaker.
For the wind is in those palm trees and the temple bells, they say
Highlighting the presence of wind in palm trees and the sound of temple bells, setting a scene.
Come you back, you British soldier
An invitation or call for a British soldier to return.
Come you back to Mandalay
Repeating the call to come back to Mandalay, emphasizing the location.
Come you back to Mandalay
Reiteration of the call to return to Mandalay, reinforcing the desire for the soldier's comeback.
Come you back to Mandalay where the old flotilla lay
Specifically urging a return to Mandalay and mentioning an old flotilla's location.
Can't ya hear their paddles chunkin' from Rangoon to Mandalay?
Asking if the listener can hear the sound of paddles from Rangoon to Mandalay.
On the road to Mandalay where the flyin' fishes play
Describing the road to Mandalay and the playful activity of flying fishes.
And the dawn comes up like thunder out of China 'cross the bay
Depicting a dramatic sunrise like thunder across the bay in China.
Ship me somewhere east of Suez where the best is like the worst
Expressing a desire to be somewhere in the East of Suez, where things are both good and bad.
Where there ain't no Ten Commandments and a cat can raise a thirst
Noting the absence of strict rules (Ten Commandments) and mentioning a cat's ability to provoke thirst.
'Cause those crazy bells are callin' and it's there that I would be
Driven by the allure of the "crazy bells," expressing a wish to be in that place.
By the old Moulmein Pagoda lookin' lazy at the sea
Returning to the Moulmein Pagoda, looking lazily at the sea, suggesting a reflective or contemplative mood.
Lookin' lazy at the sea
Reiteration of the speaker's relaxed observation of the sea.
Come you back to Mandalay where the old flotilla lay
Repeating the call to come back to Mandalay and mentioning the location of an old flotilla.
Can't ya hear their paddles chunkin' from Rangoon to Mandalay?
Repeating the question about hearing paddles, emphasizing the journey from Rangoon to Mandalay.
On the road to Mandalay where the flyin' fishes play
Reiterating the description of the road to Mandalay and the playful presence of flying fishes.
And the dawn comes up like thunder
Concluding with a vivid description of the dawn resembling thunder.
Comment