Ahbez implored Nat King Cole's manager to look at his manuscript of "Nature Boy." Cole recognized the Yiddish melody, liked the lyrics and added it to his act. It was well received so Cole decided to record it. One problem: Cole and Capitol Records could not find Ahbez in order to secure the publishing rights. Finally they located Ahbez, camped beneath the first L in the "Hollywood" sign.
Nat King Cole recorded one other Ahbez song - "Land of Love." Ahbez released his own album in 1960 called Eden's Island. He spent time with Brian Wilson before The Beach Boys recorded Pet Sounds. Ahbez, his wife, Anna, and their son Zoma lived in Griffith Park with their bicycle, sleeping bags and a juicer. With their unusual lifestyle, the family became legendary.
According to his friend Joe Romersa, Ahbez wanted to correct the last lyric. He decided that "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return," was not really what he wanted to say, since to be loved in return is too much of a deal and has nothing to do with love. Ahbez said that the last line should be, "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love, just to love, and be loved."
Nature Boy
Nat King Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one dayA magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return
Nat King Cole's song "Nature Boy" is a beautiful and profound piece that speaks about a mysterious boy who wanders far and wide. The boy is described as strange and enchanted and has a wise and melancholic demeanor. The lyrics suggest that the boy has gained insight and wisdom from his travels and experiences. When the singer encounters him, they engage in conversation about the complexities of life, from the foolishness of some to the power of others. During this conversation, the boy reveals an essential truth- that the greatest achievement in life is to love and be loved in return.
The song's overall message is that love is the most important and valuable experience one can have in life. The boy's words to the singer emphasize the significance of loving others and being loved in return. In essence, the song celebrates human connection and the power of love to transform individuals and the world around them. The message is both timeless and universal, resonating with many people across cultures and generations.
Overall, "Nature Boy" is a beautiful and timeless song that inspires listeners to embrace love as a fundamental aspect of the human experience. The story of the mysterious boy and his words of wisdom remind us of the importance of connection, empathy and compassion.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a boy
Once upon a time, there was a boy.
A very strange enchanted boy
This boy was rather peculiar and seemed to have a magical presence about him.
They say he wandered very far, very far
Legend has it that this boy traveled great distances.
Over land and sea
He journeyed across both land and water.
A little shy and sad of eye
Despite his mystical nature, he was still somewhat introverted and appeared to have a hint of sadness in his eyes.
But very wise was he
Despite his youth, the boy had a remarkable amount of wisdom.
And then one day
On a seemingly ordinary day, something extraordinary happened.
A magic day he passed my way
This boy had an almost otherworldly quality about him and on this day, he crossed paths with me.
And while we spoke of many things
We engaged in conversation and discussed a variety of topics.
Fools and kings
We conversed about both the foolish and the powerful.
This he said to me
And then, he said something to me that I'll never forget.
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
He imparted upon me the knowledge that the single most important lesson in life is this.
Is just to love and be loved in return
The most important thing we can do is to give and receive love.
Lyrics © GOLDEN WORLD, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Unison Rights S.L.
Written by: Eden Ahbez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NicolePyles
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far
Very far, over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day, a magic day
He passed my way, and while we spoke
Of many things, fools and kings
This he said to me
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return"
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return"
@pamward8010
That is my uncle Joe Comfort on bass.
@mtunpleasant
Who is that on guitar, please?
@georgie3593
wow 👏
@mtunpleasant
Irving Ashby on guitar, it turns out.
@karriecomfortletu1015
Hi Pam! That's my GREAT Uncle Joe Comfort :p I'm George and Bernadette's granddaughter :p
@phatmatt8710
that's so cool, 3 generations between the vid and this comment thread
@GenySh-zv2th
Мне 63 г.Живу в России.Услышал cover на эту опесню от прекрасной русской оперной певицы,которая всю жизнь живет в Канаде и в Италии
Ekaterina Shelehova.Пришел к вам.Какая красота,какое божественное исполнение.Гитара супер.История написания текста просто фантастическая.Спасибо всем.
@arthurwild5734
This is a gift from heaven. Truly sublime.
@Gurci28
This comment of yours is also a gift to everyone here. Great video! 1:01
@MrJayhawk78
The greatest message of all time. Human connection is the gift in life.