Released as a single in the fall of that year, "Longfellow Serenade" spent two weeks at # 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November.[1] The song also became Diamond's second # 1 hit on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, following his 1972 single, "Song Sung Blue".[2]
Diamond described "Longfellow Serenade" in the liner notes to his 1996 compilation album, In My Lifetime: "Occasionally I like using a particular lyrical style which, in this case, lent itself naturally to telling the story of a guy who woos his woman with poetry."[2] The title of the song is a reference to the 19th century American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.[2]
Longfellow Serenade
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Such were the plans I'd made
For she was a lady
And I was a dreamer
With only words to trade
You know that I was born for a night like this
Warmed by a stolen kiss
For I was lonely
Ride, come on baby, ride
Let me make your dreams come true
I'll sing my song
Let me make it warm for you
I'll weave his web of rhyme
Upon the summer night
We'll leave this worldly time
On his winged flight
Then come, and as we lay
Beside this sleepy glade
There I will sing to you
My Longfellow serenade
Longfellow serenade
Such were the plans I made
But she was a lady
As deep as a river
And through the night, we stayed
And in my way, I loved her as none before
Loved her with words and more
For she was lonely
And I was lonely
Ride, come on baby, ride
Let me make you dreams come true
I'll sing my song
Let me sing my song
Let me make it warm for you
I'll weave this web of rhyme
Upon the summer night
We'll leave this worldly time
On his winged flight
Then come, and as we lay
Beside this sleepy glade
There I will sing to you
My Longfellow serenade
The song Longfellow Serenade by Neil Diamond is a romantic ballad that tells the story of a dreamer who has fallen in love with a lady, and his plans to woo her with his words and music. The dreamer refers to himself as a lonely man, and sees the lady as someone who shares his loneliness. He describes his desire to make her dreams come true, and sings his song to warm her heart.
The chorus "Ride, come on baby, ride, Let me make your dreams come true, I'll sing my song, Let me make it warm for you" is meant to express the dreamer's eagerness to make the lady happy, and to offer her everything he can give. He weaves a web of rhyme upon the summer night, and takes her away from the world to experience his love through his Longfellow serenade.
Throughout the song, the dreamer paints a picture of himself as a romantic and poetic soul, who can only express his love through his music. The lady is portrayed as deep as a river, and the two share a tender and intimate moment under the stars, where he sings his Longfellow serenade to her. This song is not just a romantic ballad, but also a showcase of Neil Diamond's poetic sensibility and ability to create evocative and emotional narratives with his words.
Line by Line Meaning
Lonfellow serenade
Neil Diamond sings a tribute to poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow with his love song.
Such were the plans I'd made
Neil had grand plans for a romantic evening with his ladylove.
For she was a lady
The lady in question was a refined and dignified woman.
And I was a dreamer
Neil was a romantic, imaginative person with a penchant for grand gestures.
With only words to trade
Neil was a musician and his currency was the music he wrote and sang.
You know that I was born for a night like this
Neil was convinced that he was made for grand, romantic gestures.
Warmed by a stolen kiss
Neil and his lady got intimate with a kiss, which was a small act of rebellion against societal norms.
And she was lonely
Like Neil, the lady was also lonely and looking for companionship and affection.
Ride, come on baby, ride
Neil is wooing his lady, urging her to go with him on a magical journey.
Let me make your dreams come true
Neil promises to be a dream-weaver, making all her wildest dreams come true.
I'll sing my song
Neil will use his music to create a special atmosphere for the both of them.
Let me make it warm for you
Neil wants to create a warm, cozy atmosphere for his lady.
I'll weave his web of rhyme
Neil will create a complex, intricate network of words and melody to serenade his lady.
Upon the summer night
Neil will create this beautiful moment during a summer night, a time when love is in the air.
We'll leave this worldly time
Neil and his lady will escape to a magical world of their own making, away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life.
On his winged flight
The music and poetry that Neil creates will carry them away on a beautiful journey.
Then come, and as we lay
Neil and his lady will share a tender moment lying down beside each other.
Beside this sleepy glade
They will be surrounded by the beauty of nature, in a peaceful glade.
There I will sing to you
Neil will use his music to woo his lady and make her feel special and loved.
My Longfellow serenade
Neil's love song is like a beautiful poem, just like that of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
As deep as a river
The lady had a deep, intense personality - like that of a river which flows deep and strong.
And through the night, we stayed
Neil and his lady spent a beautiful evening together, and they stayed together all night long.
And in my way, I loved her as none before
Neil's love was unique and special, and he loved her in a way no one had before.
Loved her with words and more
Neil used his music and poetry to convey his love, in addition to other gestures.
Let me sing my song
Neil wants to use his music to create a beautiful moment with his lady-love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Henry
Growing up in the 70s & 80s, my mom and dad listened to a very diverse array of 70s music. My dad and I would sit around the house on (rainy snowy days especially) and sing the songs they had. So, I really love ABBA, Captain and Tenille, Donna Summer and specifically Neil, etc. They will never leave my head. The best music, the best times of my young life. Both parents are gone now. I still listen to the same songs. Neil, however, is the only one that will make me cry. This song in particular puts me over the edge. RIP mom and dad. I'm belting the song out dad right now as I'm typing, just for you. 😢
MJR
Sing out they do hear you!! I miss my parents badly and sadly too.
Rams
I could've written the exact response, growing up in the 70s and 80s was a great time and music marked everything... my dad went from everything in between Barry Manilow to the Police. It was such an innocent time, no devices so the most spent time with my parents doing the same sing a longs, drives, outside playing and barbecues... as I progressed through life, they were the 2 most decent, kind people I ever knew... so play away for them and for you ♥️
Melany Todd
Good times❣
ino Gomez
And now you got me crying, as I read your story. Here's to you and your parents!
Jerry Coward
God bless you man I hear every word you said!
DTgirl83
The uplifting yet wistful sadness and sheer beauty of that melody makes me cry like a baby every time I hear it. Diamond is a brilliant writer, absolute genius.
Linda Aitken
My dad had Alzheimer's disease and even when he was really ill, his eyes shone listening to Neil Diamond. God bless you Neil for bringing my dad comfort x
VNGEL CVSTRO
My mom brought me here. She has Alzheimer's too. Going to have a surgery for colon cancer and I just wanted to remember the songs she loves.
cynthia binder
😳👩🦰✌my grand ma too long time. Ago I know she could and watches me if time allows as a child she said