Prelude
Baden Powell/Charlie Byrd/Joao Gilberto Lyrics


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If you hear
A song in blue
Like a flower crying
For the dew
That was my heart serenading you
My prelude to a kiss

If you hear a song that grows
From my tender sentimental woes
That was my heart trying to compose
A prelude to a kiss

Though it's just a simple melody
With nothing fancy
Nothing much
You could turn it to a symphony
A Shubert tune with a Gershwin touch

Oh how my love song gently cries
For the tenderness within your eyes
My love is a prelude that never dies
A prelude to a kiss

Though it's just a simple melody
With nothing fancy
Nothing much
You could turn it to a symphony
A Shubert tune with a Gershwin touch

Oh how my love song so gently cries
For the tenderness within your eyes




My love is a prelude that never dies
A prelude to a kiss

Overall Meaning

The song "Prelude in 2-3" was originally composed by Brazilian guitarist Baden Powell and later popularized by jazz musicians Charlie Byrd and João Gilberto. The lyrics, written by Irving Gordon, speak to the tender feelings of love and the desire to express them through music. The first stanza describes a sorrowful heart singing a blue song, which symbolizes the longing for affection. The second stanza elaborates on this sentiment, with the heart attempting to compose a love song that reflects the vulnerability and depth of its emotions.


The chorus emphasizes the simplicity of the melody, while also recognizing that it has the potential to be transformed into something grand and beautiful. The lyrics appeal to the universality of music, which can speak to the soul in a way that words alone cannot. The final stanza speaks of the enduring quality of love, which is immortalized in the prelude, or opening notes, of the kiss.


The lyrics to "Prelude in 2-3" are a testament to the power of music to communicate the most intimate and profound aspects of the human experience. The song has since become a classic in the jazz repertoire, with countless artists recording their own renditions.


Line by Line Meaning

If you hear
When you listen


A song in blue
To a sad tune


Like a flower crying
Just like a plant shedding dew drops


For the dew
Because of longing


That was my heart serenading you
I was playing my heart's song for you


My prelude to a kiss
This is my way of approaching you


If you hear a song that grows
If you find a tune that develops


From my tender sentimental woes
Based on my sensitive feelings


That was my heart trying to compose
Me composing my heart's song


A prelude to a kiss
To guide me to you with this music


Though it's just a simple melody
It may be a basic tune


With nothing fancy
Not complicated or flashy


Nothing much
Though not overly impressive


You could turn it to a symphony
It's open to your own interpretation


A Shubert tune with a Gershwin touch
A classical song with a modern feel


Oh how my love song gently cries
My song of love is softly sung


For the tenderness within your eyes
Toward the affection in your gaze


My love is a prelude that never dies
This musical beginning will always be alive


A prelude to a kiss
To attract you closer to me




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Irving Gordon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Marcos Kaiser

meu maior ídolo! eterno Baden

Filippo Fazio

Veridage it's true

Octea Porosa

vc é outro mestre!

Watchand Knock

@Octea Porosa tens toda razão e quero compartilhar uma interpretação de outro mestre menos conhecido ainda para os Brasileiros em geral (o título esta errado mas a interpretação afinadissima https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgzUFb3ad0Q )

Octea Porosa

@Watchand Knock , muito bom!

The Spektro

Yo te conozco!!!! :v

7 More Replies...

Makeup by mirthes

Quanta saudades do meu pai! Baden era seu ídolo! Chorei com manhã de carnaval! Um clássico que TODO violonista toca! Meu pai tocava lindamente tanto quanto o Baden um músico e tanto e com muita persistência em ser perfeccionista! Que saudades! Fechei os olhos e vi meu pai tocando!!😢🥺

Fagner Vicente

Que lindo e triste texto.

Gabriel Gouveia

@Fagner Vicente um bom samba requer muita tristeza, já dizia o grande Baden Powell

1 More Replies...

Francisco Lerche

Brazilians compose music with a feeling thats unique. you can cry and smile from one moment to other

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