The group Peter, Paul and Mary launched in 1961 and broke up in 1970, after which Travers pursued a solo career, recording five albums on her own.
The first time ever I saw your face
Mary Travers Lyrics
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I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the empty skies my love
To the dark and the empty skies.
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hand
That was there at my command my love
That was there at my command.
The first time ever I held you near
And felt your heartbeat close to mine
I thought our joy would fill the world
And would last 'til the end of time my love
And would last 'til the end of time.
Mary Travers’ “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is a romantic ballad that describes the powerful impact of falling in love. The lyrics detail the singer’s experiences with a newfound love as they come to realize the transformative power of this relationship. The song begins with the singer recalling the first time they saw their lover, likening their beauty to that of the celestial bodies in the sky, imbuing them with a sense of awe and wonder. The chorus of the song paints a picture of an empty world, devoid of light and love, that is illuminated and filled with hope by their newfound relationship.
The second verse describes the singer’s first kiss with their lover, describing the physical and emotional intensity of the experience, as if the earth was moved beneath them. The verse also draws upon the metaphor of the captive bird tremulously beating in the singer’s hand as a way to describe their own excitement and trepidation. Finally, the third verse details the singer holding their lover close to feel their heartbeat, imagining that their love would fill the entire world and last until the end of time.
The song captures the emotional experience of new love, with its intensity and awe-inspiring beauty. It is a timeless classic that has resonated with listeners for generations, as it speaks to the universality of love, hope, and human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
The first time ever I saw your face
From the fortunate moment that I first laid eyes upon you
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
I found myself captivated by your stunning, awe-inspiring beauty and soulful spirit
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
In your presence, even the darkest hours were illuminated by your radiance and grandeur
To the dark and the empty skies my love
And in that light, you brought hope to the bleakest of situations, my love
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
The moment when our lips met for the first time
I felt the earth move in my hand
It was as if the very ground beneath my feet was trembling at the magnitude of our connection
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
Fragile and delicate, like that of a bird whose heart is pounding in its chest as it is caught in a trap
That was there at my command my love
It was as though my love and affection held you in my grasp, completely at my mercy
The first time ever I held you near
The moment when I first held you close to me
And felt your heartbeat close to mine
As your heart beat in time with mine, there was a deep sense of belonging and unity that I felt
I thought our joy would fill the world
In that moment, it felt as though our happiness and love could spread throughout the world and bring peace to all
And would last 'til the end of time my love
And that our love would endure for all eternity, my love
Contributed by Eliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.