Perfidia
Glenn Miller Glenn Miller and His Orchestra & The Modernaires Lyrics
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For I found you, the love of my life, in somebody else?s arms
Your eyes are echoing perfidia,
Forgetful of our promise of love, you're sharing another?s charms...
With a sad lament my dreams have faded like a broken melody
While the gods of love look down and laugh at what romantic fools we mortals be...
And now I know my love was not for you
Goodbye...
The lyrics to Glenn Miller Orchestra's song "Perfidia" speak of heartbreak and betrayal. The singer opens with a confession that their heart is crying out in anguish over their lost love. The love of their life is now in someone else's arms, prompting the singer to lament the fact that their love has forgotten the promise they made to each other. The pain of this betrayal is echoed in the refrain, where the singer notes that the love's eyes are now echoing perfidia, which means treachery or deceit.
The second verse continues in a similar vein, with the singer describing how their dreams have faded like a broken melody. They look up to the gods of love, who seem to be laughing at the foolishness of mortal love. Finally, the singer realizes that their love was never really meant to be and takes it back with a sigh. The song ends with the singer bidding farewell to their perfidious love.
The melancholic tune and the lyrics of the song have made it a classic piece of music. It has been covered and interpreted by artists such as Nat King Cole, Xavier Cugat, and Linda Ronstadt.
Line by Line Meaning
To you my heart cries out, Perfidia,
I cry out to you, Perfidia, calling you unfaithful.
For I found you, the love of my life, in somebody else?s arms
I found you, the love of my life, in someone else's embrace.
Your eyes are echoing perfidia,
Your eyes reflect your unfaithfulness.
Forgetful of our promise of love, you're sharing another?s charms...
You have forgotten our promise of love and are sharing another's love and affection.
With a sad lament my dreams have faded like a broken melody
My sadness echoes through my dreams which are now broken like a melody.
While the gods of love look down and laugh at what romantic fools we mortals be...
As mortals, we are foolish in love and the gods mock us for it.
And now I know my love was not for you
I now understand that you were not the recipient of my love.
And so I take it back with a sigh, perfidious one,
I relinquish my love for you with a heavy heart, unfaithful one.
Goodbye...
Farewell.
Lyrics Β© Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ALBERTO DOMINGUEZ, MILTON LEEDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trombonology Erstwhile
This side is one of my favorites among The Modernaires' appearances witht the GM band. Their harmonies are lovely, particularly Ralph Brewster's high tenor. Interestingly, the instrumentalists, too, are doubling as a Fred Waring-style glee club, humming behind Dorothy Claire and The Mods in the vocal chorus. Though I've never considered Chummy MacGregor to be that hot in comparison with many of the era's other big band pianists, I really like his tinkly comping here. ... Soloist Dorothy Claire was brought in to sub for an infanticipating Marion Hutton. Lured from the fledgling orchestra of trombonist Bobby Byrne (former star of the J. Dorsey trombone section) with a fat weekly wage increase, plus extras, Ms. Claire last a mere two recordings with the Miller band: Byrne's attorneys threatened lawsuits against both Miller and Claire, whereupon Miller's attorney's countered that the young singer's contract with Byrne meant nothing, as she was still underage. Before things wound up in court, Glenn decided that Dorothy wasn't right for the band and she returned to Byrne. ... Miller then brought in Paula Kelly, formerly of Al Donahue's band, and the wife of Modernaire, Hal Dickenson, to fill in until Marion was able to return to the job. Paula was actually the best female vocalist the Miller band ever had ... but I digress.
Joseph Follo
One of my friends, Lou Carter, played piano with Bobby Byrne's band around this time. He told me a story of how once, after a date, the band was at a restaurant grabbing a bite. Tommy Dorsey's band was there at the same time. Bobby's band members wanted to hear Sinatra sing, so Lou accompanied Frank on some songs. [I don't know where Joe Bushkin was at the time or why he was unavailable, but I can guess.] Apparently Frank liked the way Lou played because after Frank went out on his own, he played a gig at the Terrace Room in Newark, NJ. Lou was freelancing at this time and got a call by the contractor to play in the band backing Frank for the engagement. When Frank saw Lou at the piano, he gave him a big thumbs up. Lou later joined Jimmy Dorsey's band after the war. We lost Lou about 15 years ago. One of the nicest guys I ever met and he was still playing (and playing well) into his mid 80s.
Trombonology Erstwhile
@Joseph Follo Wonderful story! Your friend, Mr Carter, was a great talent. I love his work in the Soft Winds -- always a very elegant player. Sinatra was a very musicianly singer, who always knew what he wanted in terms of accompaniment (and everything else, so it seems) -- I'm not surprised to learn that he was appreciative of this superb pianist. The big bands had to have been the best education possible for a musician, regardless of the stylistic path they later took. Thanks for sharing!
akita roy
I love this tune its beautiful the last note the modernaires hit it's perfect I'm still looking for this Record thanks
Joshster 1939
Same :)
Jim Hilliker
I love these Glenn Miller records. But I always think of my mother, who was 19 I. 1941. My father was only 12 then, as he was 7 years younger than mom, when they married in 1954. Classic recording, thanks.
Ettoredipugnar
Love this record β€οΈ
Asko Varjorinne
Awesome thatΒ΄s all!!ππ
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Excellent π
Joe Pep
Dorothy Claire and The Modenaires are the best that recorded Perfidia with Glenn Millerβs Orchestra. JP