But Not For Me
Love's Bittersweet Melody: Red Garland's 'But Not For Me'
Lyrics
Old man sunshine listen you
Addressing Old Man Sunshine, expressing readiness to listen.
Never tell me dreams come true
Rejecting the idea that dreams come true, skeptical or cynical.
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Warning against trying to convince the speaker otherwise.
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Addressing Beatrice Fairfax, warning not to say someone cares.
Ever tell me he will care
Rejecting the notion that someone will care.
I'm certain it's the final curtain
Expressing certainty that the relationship has reached its end.
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Rejecting positivity, not wanting to hear from overly optimistic individuals.
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
Dismissing the idea that fate provides a suitable partner.
It's all bananas
Describing the idea as absurd or nonsensical.
They're writing songs of love but not for me
Noting that songs of love are being written but not for the speaker.
A lucky star's above but not for me
Acknowledging the presence of a lucky star, but it's not guiding the speaker to love.
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Despite love supposedly leading the way, the speaker encounters more challenges than expected.
Than any Russian play could guarantee
Comparing the difficulties faced to those in a Russian play, emphasizing the extent of challenges.
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Admitting foolishness in falling in love and the negative consequences.
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Expressing regret or sorrow, acknowledging the unfortunate situation.
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
Unable to forget the memory of a kiss despite the overall negative experience.
I guess he's not for me
Concluding that the person in question is not meant for the speaker.
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Repeating the acknowledgment of foolishness in falling in love.
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Repeating the expression of regret or sorrow.
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
Reiterating the inability to dismiss the memory of a kiss.
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