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.
Stranger On the Shore
Slim Whitman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So all alone and blue
Just dreaming dreams of you
I watched your ship as it sailed out to sea
Taking all my dreams
And taking all of me
The wailing of the wind
The tears in my eyes burn
Pleading, "My love, return"
Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?
The lyrics of Slim Whitman's Stranger on the Shore depict a man feeling lost and abandoned as he watches the tide go out. He feels all alone and sad, dreaming dreams of his loved one who has gone away on a ship. The scene is set in a melancholic way with the sighing of the waves and the wailing of the wind. The man is overwhelmed with emotions as tears well up in his eyes, and he pleads with his lover to return. He questions his existence, wondering if he is destined to remain a lonely stranger on the shore, devoid of love and happiness.
The song captures the feeling of heartbreak and loss, with powerful imagery of the sea and a lonesome man on the shore. It highlights the raw emotions of a person who has experienced heartbreak and is struggling to come to terms with the loss. The lyrics poetically explore the sadness and emptiness that one feels when they have lost the love of their life. It conveys the message that love and companionship are fundamental aspects of our existence, and that without them, life seems meaningless and dreary.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I stand, watching the tide go out
I am standing here watching the tide go out all alone.
So all alone and blue
I'm feeling lonely and sad without you by my side.
Just dreaming dreams of you
I'm only able to dream of you because you're not here with me anymore.
I watched your ship as it sailed out to sea
I saw you leaving on a ship sailing away from me, taking all my dreams with you.
Taking all my dreams
Your departure has taken away all my hopes and dreams.
And taking all of me
Without you, I feel like I've lost a part of myself and my spirit.
The sighing of the waves
As the waves softly sigh, I feel the same pain in my heart.
The wailing of the wind
The wind howls like I'm doing on the inside, sad and lonely.
The tears in my eyes burn
My eyes are stinging from the tears I've been crying over you.
Pleading, "My love, return"
I beg and plead for you to come back and return to me, my love.
Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
I can't understand why I have to keep living like this without you.
Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?
Will I forever be standing here alone on this shore, feeling empty and brokenhearted?
Contributed by Samantha D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jane cappelletti
He sure sung the most beautiful romantic songs, but how many did he write? I think his music should be played more often on TV and Radio, the younger generations don't know him or have heard such beautiful music. They are missing so much. I've been listening to him since I was 4, am now 70!
Tommy Mikes
I always loved this song, and never knew Slim Whitman sang this one - - he is one of my favorites even when I first heard of him when he was singing in Louisiana Hayride. It ios a very nice song for a dedication to your grandpa. Thanks for putting that up, Slim does the best vocal I ever heard. I also liked Boots Randolph playing this song on the sax. I notice you don't have any other country singerss...how did you hear this song by Slim Whitman? Thanks for posting. Tom
Tommy Mikes
Last week, I told my #3 son to look up your song on youtube, and he called me today and said he hasn't stopped playing this great song. He said "Dad, it is in my top 10 already" (and this guy has 1000s of songs!) Thanks again for posting this! tom7nan
William Baker
he was simply great...his own style.......what a talent
webbjr37
Gotta love anything Slim does, no other voice close to Slim
John Wickenhagen
Probably no greater singer ever than slim whitman,,,first remember hearing him in 1956 when I was 13 years old,been a fan ever since.
Morris Starkey
Actually, he passed away just today, June 19, 2013. Such a great singer and perfect gentleman.
blue45bj
Very nice job by slim Whitman. I never new he sang this song or that there were words for it. I just heard it by Andy williams about 10 minutes ago. It was very nice as well. I love this song by Mr. Acker Bilk. Thanks for sharing.
Mark Edson
yes bless him Slim is still with us
Sheila Littleton
My late mother shared with me, her love for this song and what it reminded her of..among so many others songs and WWII movies. I love you mom.