When you took a buggy ride
With your sweetie by your side
And a walk down lovers' lane was so sublime
When a one-piece suit on women
Was the style when they went swimmin'
That's what they meant
By the good old summertime

When a nickel took you far
On an open trolley car
And a big banana split was just a dime
When high-buttoned shoes were proper
And the straw hat was a topper
That's what they meant
By the good old summertime

When a barbershop quartet
Joined in song each time they met
You would hear them harmonize Sweet Adeline
How their voices started glowing
When the beer would start inflowing
That's what they meant
By the good old summertime

On the lake, the thing to do
Was to paddle your canoe
To a lonely spot and tell her she's divine
Then there came a sudden shower
And she wilted like a flower
That's what they meant
By the good old summertime

At each melodrama show
With the poor girl in the snow
Crying: Save me! Save me!
And this child of mine!
There are those who still remember
Starting June until September
Of the fun that they had
While the temperature would climb

That's what they meant
By the good old summer
That's what they meant
By the good old summer
That's what they meant
By the good old summertime