Those schoolgirl days
Of telling tales and biting nails are gone
But in my mind
I know they will still live on and on
But how do you thank someone
Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn't easy, but I'll try
If you wanted the sky
I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high
"To sir, with love"
The time has come
For closing books and long last looks must end
And as I leave
I know that I am leaving my best friend
A friend who taught me right from wrong
And weak from strong
That's a lot to learn
What, what can I give you in return?
If you wanted the moon
I would try to make a start
But I would rather you let me give my heart
"To sir, with love"
Of telling tales and biting nails are gone
But in my mind
I know they will still live on and on
But how do you thank someone
Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn't easy, but I'll try
If you wanted the sky
I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high
"To sir, with love"
The time has come
For closing books and long last looks must end
And as I leave
I know that I am leaving my best friend
A friend who taught me right from wrong
And weak from strong
That's a lot to learn
What, what can I give you in return?
If you wanted the moon
I would try to make a start
But I would rather you let me give my heart
"To sir, with love"
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It's funny that people call this song sweet, cute, or wholesome in any way. I think it's a good choice for the Lolita soundtrack.
@stonyt10 It makes me think of Gary Puckett songs where he sings about his bouts with pedophilia (Young Girl, etc). I guess this kind of thing was more acceptable back then.
@stonyt10 see my recent comment on this song in relation to the younger lady addressing the older man in her life
My mom thinks I am wierd, but I have always loved this song, even if it was number 1 on the billboards 20 years before I was born. I just think it has so much truth of transition and growing up. even when i was little, I could always just connect to the lyrics in this song. There are people in our lives who make us who we are...and that is something we can never truly thank them enough for.
i love this song .. i esp love the boy meets world graduation episode where eric sang it to mr. feeny
If I didn't know it was from a movie soundtrack (and with associated characters), I would think it's rather disturbing – a school girl expressing love to an older man? And it's her teacher?!
But then it's also about "my best friend" –Â so yeah sure. Whatever.
I think the melody and tone (instead of the lyrics) make 90% of the listening quality. It's one of my favorites despite the meaning of the lyrics.
<br /> Almost eleven years ago I kindled an important friendship with a 40 year old professor when I was 18.<br /> There was no sex, there was no romance; there was no violation of professional ethics. We just talked. About<br /> physics and metaphysics and the nature of the universe and pet cats and toothpaste and everything and both of us<br /> were made better by the connection. Years later we struck the friendship up again and the connection has not changed,<br /> although I am no longer teased by my classmates about being in love with the teacher. He was my teacher, but he was my best friend; at the time, he was the only person who really <br /> "got" me, and I suspect I was probably the only person who really "got" him. There was nothing manipulative or concocted<br /> to our friendship; it was natural, and was always there, and I believe it always will be. I learned a lot about<br /> what is real and true and good from him. <br /> <br /> So he was there from crayons (so to speak) to perfume. I could sing him this song and it would be exactly true.<br /> <br /> I don't think there is anything creepy about it; there's not a hint of pedophilia here.<br /> All you have is a student who is profoundly thanking a teacher she connected with on a truly deep level, and it's her<br /> choice how she chooses to express that.<br /> <br /> I think we are a society who is deeply afraid of love.<br /> <br /> eslkevin.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/what-is-the-meaning-behind-the-song-to-sir-with-love-by-lulu/
@veryken I just posted a comment up there, and then I saw what you said here. It's funny because I had just said that this could be part of the Lolita soundtrack. He took her from crayons to perfume (made a woman out of her) then when she was old enough she bailed. Probably helped her out quite a bit financially, so she's saying "Thanks, but no thanks." But she's not going to burn any bridges because she may need him again.
@veryken see my recent comment on this song in relation to the younger lady addressing the older man in her life
Ahh yes, this is such a cute song
i loved this song & the movie & the book.
Natalie Merchant sings this also, great updated version of it.
The beautiful part of this song for me is that the gift to "Sir" is the song itself. A gift of song... could there be anything better?
LoL Does nobody understand the basis of the movie and song? He is her teacher and her "Sir"! The movie didn't tell all that was in the book it was derived from. Scotty
I always saw a double meaning in this tune - obviously it covers the movie theme of the students' admiration of their teacher who cared for and enlightened them to move forward in their lives - but I also think that it sounds like a girl saying farewell to her father (sir) as she goes on to the next chapter in her life whatever it may be - either way this song still never gets old for me