A million dollar face

So ivory and fair

That launched a thousand ships

Danced with Fred Astaire

Lusted for her dreams

So passionate and wild

So talented it seemed

Everybody wants to be a Gardenia

So beautiful and delicate to touch

Something 'bout the way we loved Gardenia



As the years went by

Her beauty didn't fade

Movies didn't come

She felt so betrayed because

The more she had to give

The less they want to buy

I guess she outlived

Her moment in the sun to be Gardenia

So beautiful and delicate to touch

Something 'bout the way we loved Gardenia

Hadn't seen her for sometime

And I apologized

I said I'd give my youth to you

For the wisdom in your eyes

I wish I'd been there every day

To take good care of you

She said Baby, don't you cry 

I knew you'd come in time to see Gardenia

And with her fragile hand she said good-bye

Something 'bout the way we loved Gardenia