Anniversary Song
Al Jolson Lyrics


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Oh, how we danced on the night we were wed
We vowed our true love, though a word wasn't said
The world was in bloom, there were stars in the skies
Except for the few that were there in your eyes

Dear, as I held you close in my arms
Angels were singing a hymn to your charms
Two hearts gently beating, murmuring low
"Darling, I love you so"

The night seemed to fade into blossoming dawn
The sun shone anew but the dance lingered on
Could we but recall that sweet moment sublime
We'd find that our love is unaltered by time

Darling, I love you so

The night seemed to fade into blossoming dawn
The sun shone anew but the dance lingered on




Could we but recall that sweet moment sublime
We'd find that our love is unaltered by time

Overall Meaning

Al Jolson's "Anniversary Song" is a timeless classic that tells the story of a couple reflecting on their wedding night, where they vowed their love to each other. The song imbues a sense of nostalgia and romantic longing, as the couple wishes to relive those memories and rekindle the passion they shared on their special day.


The opening lines of the song set the stage for the rest of the lyrics. The couple reflects on their wedding night, where they danced and professed their love for one another. Despite not explicitly saying it with words, their commitment was evident, and they made a solemn vow to be together forever. The chorus reflects the sentiment of the night as the couple expresses their love for each other.


The following verses describe the night in more detail. The world seemed to bloom, and the stars shone in the sky, but the few stars in each other's eyes were all that mattered. The imagery evokes a sense of wonder and magic that the couple shared on their wedding night. They held each other close as angels sang hymns to their love, and their hearts beat gently, murmuring sweet nothings to each other.


The song's final lines speak to the universal desire for everlasting love. The night may have turned into dawn, and time may have passed, but the memories of that special night will always remain. If they could relive that moment, they would find that their love is still as strong and unaltered by time. The message is a hopeful one, reminding us that even in the midst of life's challenges and changes, love can endure and thrive.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, how we danced on the night we were wed
We danced so joyfully on the night of our wedding.


We vowed our true love, though a word wasn't said
We didn't say it out loud but we both knew we loved each other and promised to love each other forever.


The world was in bloom, there were stars in the skies
The world was beautiful and full of life, with stars shining in the night sky.


Except for the few that were there in your eyes
The only stars that really mattered to me were the ones I saw in your eyes.


Dear, as I held you close in my arms
My love, as I held you close to my heart,


Angels were singing a hymn to your charms
It felt like the angels were singing a beautiful hymn to your amazing qualities and charms.


Two hearts gently beating, murmuring low
Our two hearts were beating gently together, murmuring softly to each other.


"Darling, I love you so"
We told each other, "My darling, I love you so much."


The night seemed to fade into blossoming dawn
The night slowly turned into a beautiful sunrise.


The sun shone anew but the dance lingered on
Even though it was morning, we still felt like we were dancing the night away.


Could we but recall that sweet moment sublime
If only we could go back to that wonderful moment,


"We'd find that our love is unaltered by time"
"We would realize that our love has remained unchanged over the passage of time."


Darling, I love you so
My love, I still love you so much even after all these years.


The night seemed to fade into blossoming dawn
Once again, the night turned into morning.


The sun shone anew but the dance lingered on
Despite the new day, we still felt like we were dancing together, lost in each other's love.


Could we but recall that sweet moment sublime
If only we could relive that beautiful moment again,


"We'd find that our love is unaltered by time"
"We would discover that our love for each other hasn't changed at all throughout the years."




Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAUL CHAPLIN, AL JOLSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

MainStreetRANDYLAND

I call this the scene of faces; when you watch the entire film, you understand that Al Jolson's whole life was about singing, and performance...

He had no other life, for what he did WAS his life...

As the story here goes, Al had given up singing and show business to make his wife happy and just be at home...

Here you see the faces of his wife, Manager, and parents, when dad finally gets Al to break his singing silence, and side a song for the anniversary...

What they witness, is the extreme joy and happiness that Al displays, as he is again doing what his whole life was about ; singing.

Like an intoxication, the magic of being who he was again surfaced, and he beamed with joy forgetting that he was no longer on stage singing just for a moment...

The faces tell the story as the others realize how unhappy Al really was NOT singing, and being at home...

Soon after, his wife left him so that Al was again free to go back to the stage, and live the life he was meant to as the Singer to live faces.

I relate much to this story, and this part, for I have no other life then what I do in the Amusement Entertainment Business....

It is who I am, and even though I work crazy endless hours, if I didn't do what I do, then I would die...

For I have no other life then what I do; nor would I want any other.



All comments from YouTube:

Josephine Rimmer

This never fails to bring tears. Such an innocent but deep love song.

Graham Goble Music

hello, how are you doing?? it is nice meeting you here.

Garry Buckland

A childhood all time favourite, not only the great movie but the biggest memory of my late father singing Al Jolson songs around the house...thanks to Al Jolson and to the memory of my father...🙏

David Bull

Me too : inthe 40s,Dad, uncles, cousins all trying to sing way below their normal range..!

Geoff Mcsloy

Ive lived with Al Jolson all my life buy my Dad. Bless him. I am 67 now.😂

Tex Gowing

This was my mom & dad's favourite tune, it was played quite often in our home when my dad was home on leave from the navy, a very fond memory for me. Al Jolson singing it is exquisite in my humble opinion🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

peter garlick

Ive watched a full range of different type movies but This is one of the best movie scenes of all times … love .. superb acting .. great singing to a heart warming song sung with huge sensitivity and emotion combined with the most brilliant thoughtful looks that could ever be weaved into a 3 min scene .. it’s perfection .. it brings tears to my eyes And heart … extraordinary powerful scene ….

carolinesmith1965

LOVE IT

Graham Goble Music

hello, how are you doing? it is nice meeting you here.

Pete Petersen

I fell in love with Al Jolson when I was about 13 or 14 years old around 1959.
Kids today in 2020 will never appreciate what a great singer he was.
So sad kids today don't appreciate music of long ago. So many great artists.

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