Lyrics & Translation
[English]
(playful trumpet music)♪ Rubber band ♪
♪ There's a rubber band that plays tunes out of tune ♪
♪ In the library garden Sunday afternoon ♪
♪ While a little chappy waves a golden wand ♪
♪ Rubber band ♪
♪ In 1910, I was so handsome and so strong ♪
♪ My mustache was stiffly waxed and one foot long ♪
♪ And I loved a girl while you played teatime tunes ♪
♪ Dear rubber band, you're playing my tune out of tune ♪
♪ Oh ♪
(playful horn music)
♪ Rubber band ♪
♪ Won't you play your haunting theme again to me ♪
♪ While I eat my scones and drink my cup of tea ♪
♪ The sun is warm and it's a lonely afternoon ♪
(playful horn music)
♪ Rubber band ♪
♪ How I wish that I could join your rubber band ♪
♪ We could play in lively parks throughout the land ♪
♪ And one Sunday afternoon, I'd find my love ♪
♪ Rubber band, in the 1418 war, I went to sea ♪
♪ Thought my Sunday love was waiting home for me ♪
♪ And now she's married to the leader of your band, oh ♪
(playful marching band music)
I hope you break your baton
(playful marching band music)
Key Vocabulary
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Key Grammar Structures
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There's a rubber band that plays tunes out of tune
➔ Relative Clause with 'that'
➔ The clause "that plays tunes out of tune" modifies the noun "rubber band". 'That' introduces the relative clause, providing additional information about the rubber band. It's a defining relative clause, essential to the meaning.
-
In 1910, I was so handsome and so strong
➔ Adverbial Phrase of Time & Intensifiers
➔ "In 1910" is an adverbial phrase indicating *when* the state of being handsome and strong existed. "So" intensifies both adjectives, emphasizing the degree of handsomeness and strength. The repetition of 'so' is stylistic.
-
How I wish that I could join your rubber band
➔ Subjunctive Mood (Wish) & Modal Verb (Could)
➔ The phrase "How I wish" introduces a wish about an unreal or unlikely situation. The 'that' is optional. "Could" expresses the ability to join, but in a hypothetical sense – it's not currently possible. The subjunctive mood is implied.
-
And now she's married to the leader of your band, oh
➔ Present Perfect Tense & Genitive Case
➔ "She's married" uses the present perfect tense to indicate a state that began in the past and continues to be true now. "Of your band" shows possession – the leader *belongs to* the band. The 'oh' is an interjection expressing emotion.
