It's time the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
It's time the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
You made him old

Reel around the fountain
Slap me on the patio
I'll take it now
Oh

Fifteen minutes with you
Well, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people said that you were virtually dead
And they were so wrong
Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people said that you were easily led
And they were half-right
Oh, they, oh, they were half-right, oh

It's time the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
It's time that the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
You made him old

Oh, reel around the fountain
Slap me on the patio
I'll take it now
Ah, oh

Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
Oh, but I do
Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
I do
Oh, I, oh, I do
Oh

I dreamt about you last night
And I fell out of bed twice
You can pin and mount me like a butterfly
But, "Take me to the haven of your bed"
Was something that you never said
Two lumps, please
You're the bee's knees but so am I

Oh, meet me at the fountain
Shove me on the patio
I'll take it slowly
Oh

Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
Oh, but I do
Fifteen minutes with you
Oh, I wouldn't say no
Oh, people see no worth in you
I do

Oh, I, I do
Oh, I do
Oh, I do
Oh, I do


Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by Mellow_Harsher, Zirconiferous

Reel Around the Fountain Lyrics as written by Johnny Marr Steven Morrissey

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Reel Around the Fountain song meanings
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  • +3
    General Comment

    I'm with you Kez. This is without question my favorite Smiths song. It floats effortlessly along between happy and sad, humor and desperation. Just beautiful. To me, this song is all about growing up and having your first relationship and the fierce emotions that brings. It's about that magical time right as you're about to lose your innocence IMO. Why this song never gets the attention it deserves is beyond me.

    BobCon June 21, 2002   Link

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