Her first album, Abbey Lincoln's Affair, A Story of a Girl in Love was released in 1956. Also that year Lincoln starred in the film The Girl Can't Help It, for which she famously wore a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe.
Lincoln sang on the 1960s landmark jazz civil rights recording, We Insist! - Freedom Now Suite in 1960 by jazz musician and Lincolns husband from 1962-1970, Max Roach. Especially since this album, Abbey Lincoln was connected to the political fight against racism in the United States.
She co-starred with Sidney Poitier and Beau Bridges in 1968's For Love of Ivy and received a 1969 Golden Globe nomination for her appearance in the film. She also starred in the 1990 Spike Lee movie Mo' Better Blues.
In 2003, she received the National Endowment for the Arts NEA Jazz Masters Award.
Lincoln died on August 14, 2010 in Manhattan at the age of 80. Although no official cause of death was given, Lincoln had suffered deteriorating health following open heart surgery in 2007. She passed away in a Manhattan nursing home.
Nature Boy
Abbey Lincoln Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A very strange, rejected boy,
They said he wandered very far, very far,
Over lands and sea,
A little shy
And sad of eyes,
But very wise was he.
A magic day he passed my way
And we spoke of many things
Fulls and kings
And this said to me:
"The greatest thing
You ever learn
It's just to love
And belove in return".
Abbey Lincoln's rendition of Nature Boy is a mesmerizing interpretation of the song that captures the essence of the original message. The song tells the story of a strange and rejected boy who wandered far over lands and seas. The boy was a little shy and sad of eyes, but very wise. One magic day, he passed the singer's way, and they spoke of many things, including kings and fools. At some point, the boy shared his wisdom with the singer, saying that the greatest thing one can ever learn is to love and be loved in return.
The lyrics of Nature Boy are powerful and insightful, offering a valuable lesson for listeners. The song suggests that true greatness lies in the ability to love and be loved in return, a message that is as relevant today as it was when the song was first written. The song's melancholic melody and deep lyrics create a compelling emotional impact that resonates with listeners of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a boy,
The song revolves around a peculiar boy who was not accepted by the people around him.
A very strange, rejected boy,
The boy was unorthodox and faced rejection because of his uniqueness.
They said he wandered very far, very far,
The boy was known for wandering around different lands and seas.
Over lands and sea,
The boy traveled far and wide, exploring lands and seas.
A little shy
The boy was a bit reserved and reticent.
And sad of eyes,
The boy's eyes reflected melancholy and sadness.
But very wise was he.
Despite being rejected, the boy was wise and knowledgeable.
And then one day
One fine day, something happened that changed the singer's life.
A magic day he passed my way
The day the boy came into the singer's life was magical and transformative.
And we spoke of many things
The two engaged in conversation and discussed various things.
Fulls and kings
They talked about everything from life's trivialities to things related to royalty.
And this said to me:
During their conversation, the boy said something profound that stuck with the singer.
"The greatest thing
The most important lesson the boy imparted on the singer was this:
You ever learn
The song emphasizes that this lesson is the most significant for everyone to learn.
It's just to love
The greatest thing one can ever learn is to love.
And belove in return".
The last line of the song signifies that the essence of learning to love is to experience love in return.
Lyrics © GOLDEN WORLD
Written by: Eden Ahbez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ALEX F
My favourite version of this song is Abbey's. Thanks!
art wallace
I just sent this to someone with the same sentiment! Definitely the version I compare any other I hear to!
Glenn D Grace
Love it!
Demetra Washington
Love me some Abbey
Daniel Beaudoin
Who's the tenor ?..... incredebile sensibility in his playing beautiful solo
Eric Sierra-Franco
Fantastic!
gokidsnation
Look up the legal concept of adverse possession: she now owns it...
Jonathan Yaeger
I think she stole ownership of this tune from Nat King Cole . . .
Veronique Chalus
elle chante faux