Lyrics Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole

That's What They Meant (By The Good Old Summertime)

When you took a buggy ride

With your sweetie by your side

And a walk down lovers' lane

Was so sublime

When a one-piece suit on women

Was the style when they went swimmin'

That's what they meant

By "the good old summertime"

When a nickel took you far

On an open trolley car

And a big banana split

Was just a dime

When high-buttoned shoes were proper

And the straw hat was a topper

That's what they meant

By "the good old summertime"

When a barbershop quartet

Joined in song each time they met

You would hear them harmonize

"Sweet Adeline"

How their voices started glowing

When the beer would start inflowing

That's what they meant

By "the good old summertime"

On the lake, the thing to do

Was to paddle your canoe

To a lonely spot

And tell her she's divine

Then there came a sudden shower

And she wilted like a flower

That's what they meant

By "the good old summertime"

At each melodrama show

With the poor girl in the snow

Crying, "Save me! Save me!

And this child of mine!"

There are those who still remember

Starting June until September

Of the fun that they had

While the temperature would climb

That's what they meant

By "the good old summer"

That's what they meant

By "the good old summer"

That's what they meant

By "the good old summertime"