Nature Boy
Dawid Bowie and Massive Attack Lyrics
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A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy
And sad of eye
But very wise
And then one day
One magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
The greatest thing
You'll ever learn
Is just to love
And be loved in return
(I love you)
The song 'Nature Boy' by David Bowie and Massive Attack begins with the focus on a boy who is considered strange but enchanted by those who know him. The song suggests that he has wandered far and wide over land and sea, making his journey all the more intriguing. This boy is described as being quite shy and self-conscious physically, but paradoxically, being quite wise and understanding about human nature and the way the world works.
The song then goes on to focus on a chance meeting between the boy and the singer. The boy imparts some poignant wisdom to the singer, suggesting that the greatest thing anyone can ever learn in life is simply to love and be loved in return. The song concludes with the singer declaring his love towards the boy, really driving the point home that love should be cherished and celebrated.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a boy
Once upon a time, there existed a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
The boy was peculiar and charmed by a magical force
They say he wandered very far, very far
Folklore has it that the boy traveled a great deal
Over land and sea
He traveled across continents and oceans
A little shy
The boy was timid
And sad of eye
His eyes conveyed a hint of sadness
But very wise
Despite his youth, he was highly intelligent
Was he
This was his nature
And then one day
On a certain day
One magic day he passed my way
On a day of enchantment, he came into my orbit
And while we spoke of many things
During our conversation about various subjects
Fools and kings
We talked about commoners and rulers
This he said to me
He uttered these words to me
The greatest thing
The most important lesson
You'll ever learn
You will ever comprehend
Is just to love
Is to give and receive affection
And be loved in return
And have love reciprocated
(I love you)
This is a declaration of love
Lyrics © GOLDEN WORLD
Written by: Eden Ahbez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paredel89
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return.
@paredel89
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return.
@alexandracoirier3778
Bowie was full of love, his love still radiates!
@ReshonBryant
👻
@AMBERSKYS1
he was the sexiest senior citizen ever! he'll never be forgotten.
@hisashivalentine
Even though this is a cover song - his version is so eerie but beautiful. So heartbreaking to listen to it.
@wewatchmovies4446
Yeah bro, it's music at its height
@randomlight1069
Bowie recorded two versions. One "orchestral" the one, which which can be heard in some scenes in Moulin Rouge. And this one which was slotted for the end credits. Due it's beings so "dark" the films director Baz Luhrmann pulled it saying "it was so dark that we needed to resurrect the audience during the end credits." I prefer this one, for what it's worth.
@dwesdwes5633
Back in the 1950's my father used to sing this song to me when i was a little child. He of course was familiar with the Nat "King" Cole version of it, and never heard Bowie sing it.
@kzinful
Oh my, I never knew of this collaboration.
Even more respect for the genius that is Massive Attack, they have always exhibited that special talent of finding artists and the right song for them as is shown here.
Poignant now with Davids passing but this song is so right for his interpretation, isn't it?
And in the end, the love you take is..
Peace
@patrom0406
equal to the love you take ;)