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.
Silver Threads Among The Gold
Slim Whitman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Silver threads among the go-old
Shine upon my brow today-ay-ay, mmm
Life is fading fast away-ay
But, my darlin', you will be as you will be
Always young and fair to me
Yes, my darlin', you-ou will be-ee-ee
When your hair is silver whi-ite
And your cheeks' no longer bright
With the roses of the May-ay, mmm
I will kiss your lips and say-ay
Oh my darlin', you will be, you will be
Always young and fair to me...
Yes, my darlin', you-ou will be-ee-ee
Always young and fair to-oo me...
The song "Silver Threads Among the Gold" by Slim Whitman is a tender and sentimental ballad that speaks to the idea of growing old with someone you love. The song's first verse sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, with the singer acknowledging that he is getting older and that "silver threads" can be seen in his hair. Despite this, he still sees his partner as "always young and fair" and cherishes her just the same.
As the song continues, the singer paints a picture of a future where his lover's hair has turned "silver white" and her cheeks are no longer rosy. Despite her physical changes, however, he still sees her as the same person he fell in love with and promises to continue loving her just as strongly. The lyrics end on a sentimental note, emphasizing that no matter how much time passes or how much the two may change, they will always have a love that endures.
Overall, "Silver Threads Among the Gold" is a touching love song with a message that transcends time. It speaks to the idea that true love can overcome the effects of aging and the passage of time, and that two people can remain devoted to each other despite any physical changes or challenges that may arise over the course of their lives together.
Line by Line Meaning
Darlin', I am growin' older, mmm
I am getting older, my love
Silver threads among the go-old
My hair is turning silver
Shine upon my brow today-ay-ay, mmm
The light reflects off my forehead
Life is fading fast away-ay
Life is slipping away quickly
But, my darlin', you will be as you will be
But my love, you will remain as you are
Always young and fair to me
Forever youthful and beautiful to me
Yes, my darlin', you-ou will be-ee-ee
Yes, my love, you will always be
When your hair is silver whi-ite
When your hair turns silver white
And your cheeks' no longer bright
And your cheeks lose their youthful glow
With the roses of the May-ay, mmm
Like the roses of May, my love
I will kiss your lips and say-ay
I will kiss your lips and say
Oh my darlin', you will be, you will be
Oh my love, you will always be
Always young and fair to me...
Forever youthful and beautiful to me
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Bluewater Music Corp., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: HART PEASE +1903 DANKS, ROBERT GORDON-WALKER, E REXFORD, E E REXFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Crushed Twinkie
We don't encounter many songs written as far back as 1873.
But that's when Eben E. Rexford and Hart Pease Danks wrote this gem, first recorded in 1903.
This version was recorded in 1964.
Milton Moore
Frans van Zuiden
I am a fan of Slim Whitman since my early childhood days in the fifties. Born in Netherlands. Visited England 1990,1993, 2002 among SWAS HOLLAND members, for Concerts of Slim Whitman and his son Byron Whitman
Bob Reece
One of Billy the kid's favorite songs. Yes, it's documented.
John Samuel
I always think of my mother listening to this.lovely words
johnny de paauw
Mooi