And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine
Anita O'Day · Other Songs - Anita O'Day
He would spend it on the ponies,
He would spend it on the girls,
Buy his mother gin and roses
For her poor old henna'd curls.
And when his wife said, "Hey now!
What did you get for me?"
He socked her in the chopper,
Such a sweet sweet guy was he!
And her tears flowed like wine,
Yes her tears flowed like wine,
She's a real sad tomato,
She's a busted valentine.
Knows her mama done told her
That her man is darned unkind.
How he loved the old race horses,
He would bet them every day.
One day he caught a winner
And the cabbage wasn't hay!
He indulged in fancy spending,
Ordered rings, cars and furs,
But alas, alack,
Like a stab in the back,
She found out they were not hers!
And her tears flowed like wine,
Yes her tears flowed like wine,
She's a real sad tomato,
She's a busted valentine.
Knows her mama done told her
That her man is darned unkind.
He got mixed up with a Maisie,
He got mixed up with a Flo,
So Flo shoved him in the river,
He'll not get mixed up no more!
His wife then draped herself in black
That showed her figure fine,
Then she cussed him out, the two-faced guy,
No insurance could she find.
And her tears flowed like wine,
Yes her tears flowed like wine,
She's a real sad tomato,
She's a busted valentine.
Knows her mama done told her
That her man is darned unkind.
He would spend it on the girls,
Buy his mother gin and roses
For her poor old henna'd curls.
And when his wife said, "Hey now!
What did you get for me?"
He socked her in the chopper,
Such a sweet sweet guy was he!
And her tears flowed like wine,
Yes her tears flowed like wine,
She's a real sad tomato,
She's a busted valentine.
Knows her mama done told her
That her man is darned unkind.
How he loved the old race horses,
He would bet them every day.
One day he caught a winner
And the cabbage wasn't hay!
He indulged in fancy spending,
Ordered rings, cars and furs,
But alas, alack,
Like a stab in the back,
She found out they were not hers!
And her tears flowed like wine,
Yes her tears flowed like wine,
She's a real sad tomato,
She's a busted valentine.
Knows her mama done told her
That her man is darned unkind.
He got mixed up with a Maisie,
He got mixed up with a Flo,
So Flo shoved him in the river,
He'll not get mixed up no more!
His wife then draped herself in black
That showed her figure fine,
Then she cussed him out, the two-faced guy,
No insurance could she find.
And her tears flowed like wine,
Yes her tears flowed like wine,
She's a real sad tomato,
She's a busted valentine.
Knows her mama done told her
That her man is darned unkind.
And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine
Anita O'Day's 1940 recording of 'And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine' stands as a defining example of the swing era's vocal style. Her smooth, breathy delivery perfectly complements the lush, romantic arrangement, capturing the melancholic yet seductive mood of the song. As one of her most celebrated performances, the track exemplifies her ability to blend jazz sensibilities with pop appeal. The recording remains a staple in collections of swing and big band music, showcasing the emotional depth characteristic of O'Day's work during the early 1940s. It serves as a timeless illustration of how vocal nuance can elevate a standard into a memorable piece of musical history.