Misirlou
His Del-Tones Lyrics

The opening lines of the song Misirlou by His Del-Tones set the tone for a night-time desert scene where the shadows are long and stretchy, and the sand is purple. The lyrics evoke a feeling of mystery and intrigue as the singer paints a vivid picture of natives kneeling in prayer by their caravans. The phrase "Desert shadows creep" suggests a sense of unease and suspense, which is helped along by the mention of an eastern star and the long lost blossom of shalimar.

The second half of the stanza introduces the main character of the song, Misirlou, who is portrayed as both the moon and the sun, the fairest one. She is the subject of the singer's affection and he is searching for her in this vast, open space. The mention of the old temple bells ringing across the sand adds to the exotic atmosphere, and the notion of finding Kismet in response to love's command takes on a sense of destiny and fate.

The final stanza talks about going to an oasis sprinkled by stars where heaven will guide them and Allah will bless their love. The imagery of stars has already been used throughout the song, and here it seems to represent both guidance and approval from a higher power. The idea of finding love in this barren, harsh environment is a powerful one, and speaks to the universal longing for love and connection in even the most unlikely of places.