Pearl Bailey – I Put My Hand In Lyrics
Call on Dolly
She’s the one the spinsters recommend
Just name the kind of man
Your sister wants and she’ll snatch ’em up
Don’t forget to bring your maiden aunts and she’ll match ’em up
Call on Dolly
If your eldest daughter needs a friend[AMBROSE]
Tell me Mrs. Levi: what’s in all this for you?[DOLLY]
A living, Mr. Kemper. Some paint, some sew, I meddle
I have always been a woman who arranges things
For the pleasure and the profit it derives
I have always been a woman who arranges things
Like furniture and daffodils and lives
When a man with a timid tongue
Meets a girl with a diffident air
Why should the tortured creatures beat around the bush
When heaven knows Mother Nature always needs a little push
So I put my hand in here
I put my hand in there
And a girl over six foot three
Loves a man who comes up to her ear
Surely it’s obvious she’ll never be seduced
‘Til some kind soul condescends
To give her beau a little boost
So I put my hand in there
I put my hand in here
It’s my duty to assist the Lord above
I have always been a woman who arranges things
Like luncheon parties, poker games, and love
My aplomb at cosmetic art
Turned a frump to a trump lady fair
She had a countenance a little bit like scrooge
But oh today you would swear the Lord himself applied the rouge
I put my hand in here
And twist a little, stir a little
Him a little, her a little
Shape a little, mold a little
Some poor chap gets sold a little
When I use my fist a little
Some young bride gets kissed a little
Pressure with the thumbs
Matrimony comes
When, I put my hand in there
“I Put My Hand In” by Pearl Bailey (as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!)
🎵 Song Details (Tabular Form)
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Song Title | I Put My Hand In |
| Performer | Pearl Bailey |
| Show | Hello, Dolly! (Musical) |
| Character | Dolly Gallagher Levi |
| Genre | Broadway Musical Theater, Show Tune |
| Era | Originally 1964 (Hello, Dolly!) revival with Pearl Bailey: 1967 |
| Themes | Matchmaking, meddling, empowerment, feminine influence |
| Tone | Witty, playful, confident, humorous |
| Mood | Upbeat, clever, tongue-in-cheek |
| Musical Style | Classic Broadway, brassy, vaudevillian flavor |
🧠 Step-by-Step Lyric Breakdown
🎭 Opening Chorus – The New Yorkers
“Call on Dolly / She’s the one the spinsters recommend…”
- Establishes Dolly Levi’s reputation in town.
- She’s seen as a go-to matchmaker, especially for single women and families looking for eligible men.
“Just name the kind of man / Your sister wants and she’ll snatch ’em up…”
- Hyperbolic praise of Dolly’s talents: she can find anyone a match.
- Begins to build the legend of her savvy and social manipulation.
🤝 Ambrose & Dolly Dialogue
“Tell me Mrs. Levi: what’s in all this for you?”
“A living, Mr. Kemper. Some paint, some sew, I meddle.”
- Ambrose asks a reasonable question: is Dolly doing this out of goodwill?
- Her response is iconic: she’s not a traditional woman; meddling is her trade.
- She cleverly spins her behavior as both profession and calling.
🧩 Dolly’s Solo – “I have always been a woman who arranges things…”
“I have always been a woman who arranges things / For the pleasure and the profit it derives…”
- Dolly self-defines as a facilitator — of events, of relationships, of fate.
- She blends practicality with a hint of spiritual duty (“for the pleasure and the profit”).
“Like furniture and daffodils and lives…”
- Lists tangible and intangible things — showcasing her talent in both interior design and human matchmaking.
❤️ Matchmaking Philosophy
“When a man with a timid tongue / Meets a girl with a diffident air…”
- Describes shy individuals unable to make the first move.
- She steps in as the “push” that Mother Nature needs.
“So I put my hand in here / I put my hand in there…”
- Her mantra. “Putting her hand in” = interfering, guiding, tweaking.
- Presented humorously, but she’s shaping people’s destinies.
📏 Humorous Examples
“A girl over six foot three / Loves a man who comes up to her ear…”
- Unexpected couples don’t always meet naturally—Dolly helps fate along.
“She had a countenance a little bit like Scrooge / But oh today you would swear the Lord himself applied the rouge!”
- Her “cosmetic art” isn’t just about looks — it’s transformation.
- Again, blends humor with insight: her interventions give people confidence and connection.
🔧 Final Verses – Her Tools of the Trade
“Twist a little, stir a little / Him a little, her a little…”
- Rhythmic wordplay mimics her matchmaking process — gentle manipulation.
- It’s playful, but also calculated.
“Some poor chap gets sold a little / When I use my fist a little…”
- Suggests she’s not above persuasion — even strong-arming if needed.
- Adds to the comical authority of her character.
“Matrimony comes / When I put my hand in there.”
- Ultimately, her meddling leads to love and marriage.
- The line “I put my hand in there” becomes a triumphant celebration of her skills.
🎭 Themes & Meanings
| Theme | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Matchmaking as Power | Dolly controls social outcomes through clever intervention. |
| Feminine Resourcefulness | She uses “soft power” — wit, charm, social skill — to shape lives. |
| Destiny & Intervention | Even fate needs a little help, and Dolly sees herself as a divine agent. |
| Wit & Wordplay | Clever lyrics reflect Dolly’s cunning and intelligence. |
| Transformative Humor | Laughs are used to mask deeper truths about love, loneliness, and agency. |
❓ FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this a serious or comedic song? | Primarily comedic, but with deeper insight into social dynamics. |
| What does “put my hand in” symbolize? | Intervening, guiding, arranging — often behind the scenes. |
| What kind of character is Dolly Levi? | She’s a witty, confident widow who makes things happen for others (and herself). |
| What is Dolly’s motivation? | Part livelihood, part love of control, part genuine care. |
| Why is Pearl Bailey’s version notable? | She brought unique flair, charisma, and cultural weight to the role in the all-Black Broadway revival (1967). |
🧾 Conclusion
“I Put My Hand In” isn’t just a musical number — it’s a character thesis, a mission statement, and a comedic masterclass all rolled into one. Pearl Bailey’s performance brings warmth, sass, and commanding presence to Dolly Levi’s iconic declaration of her meddling philosophy.
This song cleverly balances humor and truth: while Dolly playfully boasts about matchmaking, the lyrics reveal a deeper commentary on how love, timing, and fate often need a human nudge. Dolly is a symbol of feminine agency and strategic kindness — she shapes lives, not just romances.
In a world where many sit back and wait for love, Dolly puts her hand in — and makes things happen.
