Harry James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American musician who is… Read Full Bio ↴Harry James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet playing band leader who led a big band from 1939 to 1946. He broke up his band for a short period in 1947 but shortly after he re-organized and was active again with his band from then until his death in 1983. He was especially known among musicians for his astonishing technical proficiency as well as his superior tone, and was extremely influential on up-and-coming trumpet players from the late 1930s into the 1940s. He was also an actor in a number of films that usually featured his band.

Aurora
Harry James & His Orchestra Lyrics

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Aurora comes from Rio De Janeiro
She dances in a little street cafe
And when you're down in Rio De Janeiro
Here's what you'll hear each Latin lover say

You're a sweet heart in a million
Oh oh oh ooh (be mine oh oh) Aurora
With your manner so Brazilian

Oh oh oh ooh (be mine oh oh) Aurora (be mine)

When you smile and call me honey
Oh oh oh ooh (be mine oh oh) aurora
Is it me or just my money?
Oh oh oh ooh Aurora (be mine)

I'll buy you this and buy you that
If you'll be true to me.
I'll even rent a cottage
And present you with the key
So if you'll marry me
And be my sweet senora

Oh oh oh oh Aurora, Aurora
Be mine, be mine, be mine

You're a sweet heart in a million
Ha ha ha ha Aurora
With your manner so Brazilian
Ha ha ha ha Aurora

When you smile and call me honey
Ha ha ha ha aurora
Is it me or just my money?
Ha ha ha ha Aurora

Oh oh oh oh Aurora, Aurora
Be mine

Overall Meaning

The song "Aurora" by Harry James and His Orchestra speaks about a woman named Aurora who works at a street cafe in Rio De Janeiro as a dancer. The song describes the city of Rio and how every Latin lover there admires Aurora for her Brazilian charm and beauty. The lyrics suggest that Aurora smiles and calls the singer 'honey', but he wonders whether it's just his money that makes her act that way towards him. The song continues with the singer offering to buy her anything she desires and even renting a cottage for her if she agrees to marry him and become his 'sweet senora'. The lyrics keep repeating 'be mine, be mine' in the chorus, indicating the singer's desire to have Aurora all for himself.

The lyrics of this song capture the essence of the 1940s, an era when people could easily fall in love with someone they just met. They suggest a rather transactional and materialistic approach to relationships that are pretty rare in today's world. The song also highlights a distinct representation of Rio's culture and how the Brazilian women there were admired for their beauty and charm. Overall, Harry James and His Orchestra's "Aurora" is a beautiful song that showcases the romantic aspirations of the mid-20th century.

Line by Line Meaning

Aurora comes from Rio De Janeiro
Aurora is a Brazilian girl who comes from the city of Rio De Janeiro.

She dances in a little street cafe
Aurora works as a dancer in a small cafe on the street.

And when you're down in Rio De Janeiro
When you are in Rio De Janeiro,

Here's what you'll hear each Latin lover say
You will hear each Latin lover saying this about Aurora.

You're a sweet heart in a million
You are extremely sweet and lovable.

Oh oh oh ooh (be mine oh oh) Aurora
I want you to be mine, Aurora.

With your manner so Brazilian
Your manners and behavior are typically Brazilian.

When you smile and call me honey
Whenever you are affectionate and call me honey,

Is it me or just my money?
Am I important to you or just my money?

I'll buy you this and buy you that
I'd buy you everything you want.

If you'll be true to me.
As long as you are faithful to me.

I'll even rent a cottage
I'll rent a beautiful small house.

And present you with the key
And I'll give you the key to the cottage as a gift.

So if you'll marry me
If you agree to marry me,

And be my sweet senora
And be my sweet wife.

Oh oh oh oh Aurora, Aurora
I'm calling out to you, Aurora.

Be mine, be mine, be mine
Please be mine, Aurora.

Ha ha ha ha Aurora
I laugh happily with Aurora.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Adamson, Mario Lago, Roberto Roberti

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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