Misirlou
Del-tones Lyrics
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Natives kneel in prayer by their caravans.
There, silhouetted under and eastern star,
I see my long lost blossom of shalimar
You, Misirlou, Are the moon and the sun, fairest one.
We'll find our Kismet, answering love's command.
You, Misirlou, are a dream of delight in the night.
To an oasis, sprinkled by stars above,
Heaven will guide us, Allah will bless our love.
The opening lyrics of Del-Tones' "Misirlou" conjure an elegant and elusive vision of the desert at twilight. The shadows on the purple sands are a subtle metaphor for the creeping darkness, and the Natives kneeling in prayer by their caravans create a spiritual atmosphere that sets the stage for the arrival of the long lost blossom of shalimar. The use of the eastern star as a symbol of light and direction adds to the mystical aura of the verse. This reference to the journey of the wise men who followed the Star of Bethlehem to find the Christ child in Christian tradition adds a layer of cultural and religious depth to the imagery as well.
The next verse delves deeper into this romantic theme, mentioning the temple bells calling across the sand and finding Kismet, which is a term for destiny or fate in Arabic. The lyrics are infused with this exoticism and otherworldly quality that is often associated with the Middle East. The chorus is a dreamy tribute to the woman who is referred to as Misirlou. In the Greek language, the word Misirlou means "Egyptian Girl." In the song, she is described as the moon and the sun and a dream of delight in the night. She is the embodiment of all the beauty and mystery of the desert, and the singer is in awe of her.
Line by Line Meaning
Desert shadows creep across purple sands.
The shadows of the desert move slowly over the purple shaded sand.
Natives kneel in prayer by their caravans.
The locals kneel in prayer beside their wagons.
There, silhouetted under an eastern star, I see my long lost blossom of shalimar
I see my long lost love under the eastern star, outlined in shadow.
You, Misirlou, Are the moon and the sun, fairest one.
Oh Misirlou, you are the epitome of beauty, and shine as bright as the sun and moon.
Old temple bells are calling across the sand.
The ancient temple bells ring out across the sand.
We'll find our Kismet, answering love's command.
We'll find our true destiny by answering the call of love.
You, Misirlou, are a dream of delight in the night.
Oh Misirlou, you are a dream of delight that only exists at night.
To an oasis, sprinkled by stars above, Heaven will guide us, Allah will bless our love.
We'll travel to an oasis that is covered in stars above, where Heaven will guide and Allah will bless our love.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Fred Wise, Jose Pina, Milton Leeds, Nicholas Roubanis, Sidney Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@somecallitlife
RIP Dale. Thank you for all your contributions to the history of guitar!
@danfan56
Agreed! E
@JakeTheBear1
Rest in Peace Dick Dale.
I will forever love your Misirlou.
@pringelsthegamefreak
RIP
@jessicabear
Rock on
@g-man1440
ROCK
&
ROLL
@ChristianVBlue3
RIP Dick Dale. Pioneer of surf rock and one of the first Fender Strat guitarists. What a legend
@kingplank
NO- Buddy Holly was first Stratocaster superstar
@johnthurman1225
@@kingplank he said "one of"
@MuszZico
@@johnthurman1225 u kill him buddy.