Glossary entry for
Sweet Lorraine

Van's reference to "sweet lorraine" is probably a tip of the hat to a Parish/Burwell song called "Sweet Lorraine". Written by Mitchell Parish (words) and Cliff Burwell (music) in 1928, it was a much-recorded standard, covered by such as Nat King Cole (1943) and others including Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Jay McShann (Kansas City "big-band" leader), Wardell Gray ('50s jazz saxaphonist), and Louis Armstrong.

The lyrics:

I've just found joy,
I'm as happy as a baby boy,
With another brand new choo-choo toy,
When I'm with my sweet Lorraine.
A pair of eyes,
That are bluer than the summer skies,
When you see them you will realise,
Why I love my sweet Lorraine.
- I'm so happy -
When it's raining I don't miss the sun,
For it's in my sweetie's smile,
Just to think that I'm the lucky one,
Who will lead her down the aisle,
Each night I pray,
That nobody steals her heart away;
Just can't wait until that happy day,
When I marry my sweet Lorraine.

Van references in:

  • "Why Must I Always Explain?" (on Hymns to the Silence)


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