tenderly
Anita O’Day Lyrics

In the song "Tenderly," Anita O'Day sings about two lovers who found themselves overwhelmed with emotion as they wandered by the shore. The first verse speaks of the evening breeze that gently caresses the trees and the trees themselves that trembled in response. As the lovers come by, they find themselves lost in a sigh, perhaps overcome by the beauty of the moment or the depth of their feelings. The second verse continues with the scene that surrounds them, including the tender connection between the shore, sea, and mist. Yet, the focus remains on the two lovers and how their hearts met breathlessly. The final line evokes a sense of intense intimacy as the singer describes how their beloved took their lips and love so tenderly.

The lyrics of "Tenderly" create a romantic atmosphere that is both serene and passionate. The imagery of the natural world, such as the trees, breeze, shore, and sea, beautifully captures the mood of the lovers lost in their own world. Moreover, the vocabulary is chosen to convey a sense of softness and delicacy, such as "caressed," "embrace," "tenderly," "breathlessly," "opened wide," and "took...so tenderly." Through the poetic language, the song evokes a feeling of intimacy and vulnerability between the two lovers, who are completely immersed in the moment and each other.