Christopher Frank Carandini Lee (May 27, 1922 – June 7, 2015) was a legenda… Read Full Bio ↴Christopher Frank Carandini Lee (May 27, 1922 – June 7, 2015) was a legendary and prolific English actor known for his versatility, his professional longevity, and his distinctive basso delivery.

In 1977 he played the roles of Narrator and King of Elfland on the concept album The King of Elfland's Daughter. The album also featured Mary Hopkin, PP Arnold, Frankie Miller and Alexis Korner.

He also started a career as singer as with his first album in 1998 entitled, Devils, Rogues & Other Villians and in the post-millennial era he appeared as a narrator for Italian symphonic fantasy metal band Rhapsody, playing the Wizard King in two albums, Symphony of Enchanted Lands II: The Dark Secret and Triumph or Agony. In addition to narrating several tracks on the two albums, he also sang & recorded a duet album with lead vocalist Fabio Lione called "The Magic of the Wizard's Dream".

He released his second solo album in 2007 at the age of 84 under the name of "Revelation" (including a heavy metal song in it).

In March 2010, he released the symphonic metal album "Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross". It was later followed up by "Charlemagne: The Omens of Death" in May 2013.

Christopher Lee died on June 7, 2015 after being hospitalized for respiratory problems and heart failure.

Serenade
Christopher Lee Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Vous qui faites l'endormie
N'entendez-vous pas
N'entendez-vous pas!
Ô Catherine, ma mie
N'entendez-vous pas
Ma voix et mes pas?
Ainsi ton gallant t'appelle
Ainsi ton gallant t'appelle

Et ton coeur l'en crois!
Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ahh!

N'ouvre ta porte, ma belle
Que la bague au doigt!
N'ouvre ta porte, ma belle
Que la bague au doigt!
Que la bague au doigt!

Catherine que j'adore
Pourquoi refuser
Pourquoi refuser
A l'amant qui vous implore
Pourquoi refuser un si doux baiser?
Ainsi ton gallant supplie
Ainsi ton gallant supplie
Et ton coeur en croit!
Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ahh!

Ne donne un baiser, ma mie
Que la bague au doigt!
Ne donne un baiser, ma mie
Que la bague au doigt!
Que la bague au doigt!

Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!

Ahhhhh!
Ahahahahahhhhhhhh!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Christopher Lee's "Serenade" are in French and depict a man calling out to his lover, Catherine. He questions whether she hears him and begs her to open the door only for him, but with the condition that she must have the ring on her finger before opening it. The man asks why she refuses his kiss and pleads with her to accept it, telling her that her heart is also wanting the same. The chorus repeats the message of only granting a kiss when the ring is on her finger.

The song is a traditional French serenade, a form of musical expression that was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was often performed at night under the windows of a loved one as a way of expressing love and devotion. Christopher Lee's version of the song is sung with passion and intensity, adding to the romantic and heartfelt tone of the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Vous qui faites l'endormie
You who play the game of pretending to be asleep

N'entendez-vous pas
Can't you hear?

N'entendez-vous pas!
Can't you hear?

Ô Catherine, ma mie
O Catherine, my love

N'entendez-vous pas
Can't you hear?

Ma voix et mes pas?
My voice and my steps?

Ainsi ton gallant t'appelle
Thus your suitor calls you

Et ton coeur l'en crois!
And your heart believes him!

Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Ah, ah, ah, ah!

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ahh!
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ahh!

N'ouvre ta porte, ma belle
Don't open your door, my beautiful one