In 1958, Ben Nelson joined a doo wop group, The Five Crowns. Later that same year, The Drifters' manager fired the members of the group and replaced them with The Five Crowns, who had performed several engagements with The Drifters. He co-wrote the first hit by the new version of The Drifters, "There Goes My Baby" (1959). He also sang lead, using his birth name, on "Save the Last Dance for Me," a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, "Dance With Me," "This Magic Moment," "I Count the Tears," and other The Drifters hits.
In 1960 he left the group after failing to gain a salary increase and a fairer share of the group's royalties. At this point he assumed the more memorable stage name Ben E. King in preparation for a solo career. Remaining on Atlantic, King scored his first solo hit with the stylish, Latin-tinged ballad "Spanish Harlem" (1961). "Stand by Me" was his next recording. "Stand by Me", written by King along with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller was voted one of the Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America. "Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem" were named as two of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and were both also given a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
King's records continued to place well on the pop charts until 1963, when British pop bands began to dominate the popular music scene. His hits after 1963 were "What is Soul?" (1967), "Supernatural Thing, part 1" (1975), and the re-issue in 1986 of "Stand by Me" following the song's use as the theme music to the movie of the same name.
Vaya Con Dios
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
De separarnos
El silencio el corazón
Dice suspira
Vaya con Dios mi vida
Vaya con Dios mi amor
Las campanas de la iglesia suenan tristes
También te dicen
Vaya con Dios mi vida
Vaya con Dios mi amor
A donde vayas tú
Yo ir contigo
En sueños siempre junto a ti estaré
Mi voz escucharás
Dulce amor mío
Pensando como yo
Estarás volver
No siempre a de
La alborada al despertar
Feliz te espera
Si en tu corazón yo voy
A donde quieres
Vaya con Dios mi vida
Vaya con Dios mi amor
Vaya con Dios mi vida
Vaya con Dios mi amor
In the song "Vaya Con Dios" by Ben E. King, the lyrics convey a sense of farewell and separation between two individuals. The opening lines set the tone for this emotional moment, as it is time for the two to part ways. The silence and the heaviness in the heart indicate a deep sadness, with the heart longing for the other person. The repeated lines "Vaya con Dios mi vida, Vaya con Dios mi amor" serve as a bittersweet send-off, wishing the person a safe journey and a blessing of God's guidance and love in their life.
The imagery of church bells ringing sadly adds to the somber atmosphere of departure. Symbolically, the bells seem to echo the farewell message, almost as if they are also bidding farewell to the departing person. The repetition of "Vaya con Dios" reinforces the notion of letting go and allowing the other person to move on in their journey, suggesting a sense of acceptance and resignation to the separation.
The lyrics continue to express a deep connection between the two individuals even in their physical separation. The sentiment of "A donde vayas tú, yo ir contigo" conveys a promise of being by the other person's side no matter where they go. The notion of being together in dreams and hearing each other's voices suggests a spiritual bond that transcends physical distance, indicating a belief in the enduring nature of their love.
As the song progresses, the hope for a reunion is expressed, with the lyrics reflecting on the idea that the person will always be thinking of the other and will eagerly await their return. The mention of happiness waiting at dawn reinforces the theme of hope and anticipation for a brighter future together. The repeated invocation of "Vaya con Dios" serves as a comforting mantra, a final blessing and assurance that despite the separation, the love between the two individuals will endure. The overall message of the song captures the poignancy of parting ways but also the faith in a love that will withstand the test of time and distance.
Line by Line Meaning
Se llegó el momento ya
The time has come now
De separarnos
To part ways
El silencio el corazón
The silence of the heart
Dice suspira
Says sighs
Vaya con Dios mi vida
Go with God, my life
Vaya con Dios mi amor
Go with God, my love
Las campanas de la iglesia suenan tristes
The church bells ring sadly
Y parece que al sonar
And it seems that when they ring
También te dicen
They also tell you
A donde vayas tú
Wherever you go
Yo ir contigo
I will go with you
En sueños siempre junto a ti estaré
In dreams, I will always be with you
Mi voz escucharás
You will hear my voice
Dulce amor mío
My sweet love
Pensando como yo
Thinking like me
Estarás volver
You will be back
No siempre a de
Not always must
La alborada al despertar
The dawn upon awakening
Feliz te espera
Happiness awaits you
Si en tu corazón yo voy
If in your heart I go
A donde quieres
Where you want
Vaya con Dios mi vida
Go with God, my life
Vaya con Dios mi amor
Go with God, my love
Vaya con Dios mi vida
Go with God, my life
Vaya con Dios mi amor
Go with God, my love
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Buddy Pepper, Inez James, Larry Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Katchita Lawrence
I play this song at my nephew funeral on the 27- 9- 2020 and it brings up all the memories of him and us as kids ,I will always remember him cheeky
MDM Diva
Rudy sang two songs to and for me my true luv
MDM Diva
such a gem always in my heart