Self-taught on the guitar, Otis Whitman worked at a shipyard in Tampa while developing a musical career, eventually performing with a band known as the "Variety Rhythm Boys". Whitman's first big break came when agent Colonel Tom Parker heard him singing on the radio and offered to represent him. Signed with RCA Records, he was billed as the cowboy singer, "Slim Whitman" and released his first 45rpm single in 1948. He toured and sang at a variety of venues including on the popular radio show, the Louisiana Hayride.
He only became a full time musician in the early 1950s after he recorded a version of the Bob Nolan hit Love Song of the Waterfall that made it into the country music Top 10 chart. His next single, Indian Love Call, was even more successful, going to the No.2 position (and actually saving the world in the 1996 movie Mars Attacks! where it proves fatal to the invading Martians). A yodeler, Whitman avoided the "down on yer luck-buried in booze" songs, preferring instead to sing laid-back romantic melodies about simple life and love.
In 1955, in the United Kingdom, he had a No.1 hit on the pop music charts with Rose Marie. With eleven weeks at the top of the charts, the song set a record that lasted for thirty-six years. Soon after recording this big hit Whitman was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry and in 1957, along with other musical stars, he appeared in the film musical, Jamboree. Despite this type of exposure, he never achieved the level of stardom in the United States that he did in Britain where he had a number of hits during the 1950s and 60s. Throughout the early 1970s, he continued to record and was a guest on Wolfman Jack's musical television show, The Midnight Special. At the time, Whitman's recording efforts were yielding only minor hits and in 1974 he stopped making new records.
Annie Laurie
Slim Whitman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where early fa's the dew
And it's there that annie laurie
gied me her promise true
Gied me her promise true
Mmm Mmm Mmm
And for bonnie annie laurie
I would lay me down an' die
her throat is like the swan
Her face it is the fairest
that e'er the sun shone on
That e'er the sun shone on
Mmm Mmm Mmm
And for bonnie annie laurie
I would lay me down and die
Yes for bonnie annie laurie
I would lay me down and die
Yes i'd lay me down and die
The lyrics of Slim Whitman's song "Annie Laurie" revolve around a promise made by a woman named Annie Laurie, who promises her lover true love on the Maxwellton braes, which are beautiful hills where the dew falls early. The singer, who is presumably the lover, declares that her promise is true, and he is willing to lay down his life for her, indicating that he is deeply devoted to her. The song also describes Annie Laurie's physical traits, such as her fair face, brow like a snowdrift, and throat like a swan, all of which are considered very attractive. The song maintains an overall affectionate and romantic tone.
Line by Line Meaning
Maxwellton braes are bonnies
The hills of Maxwellton are beautiful
where early fa's the dew
Where the morning dew falls early
And it's there that annie laurie
It was there that Annie Laurie
gied me her promise true
Gave me her true promise
Gied me her promise true
Gave me her true promise
Mmm Mmm Mmm
Refrain
And for bonnie annie laurie
And for beautiful Annie Laurie
I would lay me down an' die
I would even die for her
Her brow is like the snowdrift
Her forehead is as white as snow
her throat is like the swan
Her neck is as graceful as a swan's
Her face it is the fairest
Her face is the most beautiful
that e'er the sun shone on
That the sun has ever shone on
That e'er the sun shone on
That the sun has ever shone on
Mmm Mmm Mmm
Refrain
And for bonnie annie laurie
And for beautiful Annie Laurie
I would lay me down and die
I would even die for her
Yes for bonnie annie laurie
Yes, for beautiful Annie Laurie
I would lay me down and die
I would even die for her
Yes i'd lay me down and die
Yes, I would even die for her
Writer(s): Lady John Scott, Douglas of Fingland
Contributed by Asher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
betty stephenson
beautiful of a great album