Misirlou
The Roemans Lyrics

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Desert shadows creep across purple sands.
Natives kneel in prayer by their caravans.

There, silhouetted under and eastern star,
I see my long lost blossom of shalimar

You, Misirlou, Are the moon and the sun, fairest one.

Old temple bells are calling across the sand.
We'll find our Kismet, answering love's command.

You, Misirlou, are a dream of delight in the night.

To an oasis, sprinkled by stars above,
Heaven will guide us, Allah will bless our love.

Overall Meaning

The song Misirlou by The Roemans is a romantic and exotic piece that exudes mystery, intrigue, and adventure. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a desert landscape with its purple sands and native people praying by their caravans. Against this backdrop, the singer sees his long lost love, whom he refers to as Misirlou, silhouetted under an eastern star. The name Misirlou is derived from the Greek word for Egypt and was often used as a term of endearment for Greek women of the time. The singer goes on to describe Misirlou as the moon and sun, the fairest one, and a dream of delight in the night.

As the song continues, the singer hears old temple bells calling across the sand, signaling that they will find their Kismet, or fate, through their love. Misirlou is still described as the object of his affection, Allah will bless their love and guide them to an oasis sprinkled by stars above. The song's romantic and exotic theme is enhanced by the use of Middle Eastern musical motifs and the lyrics' evocative imagery.

Line by Line Meaning

Desert shadows creep across purple sands.
The shadows of the desert slowly move over sand that is tinted with shades of purple.

Natives kneel in prayer by their caravans.
The locals bow down in prayer next to their mobile homes.

There, silhouetted under an eastern star,
There, a figure reflects Tenebrism under the light of an eastern star,

I see my long lost blossom of shalimar
I see my cherished flower of shalimar, whom I haven't seen in a long time.

You, Misirlou, Are the moon and the sun, fairest one.
You, Misirlou, are the fairest of them, shining bright like both the moon and sun.

Old temple bells are calling across the sand.
The sounds of ancient temple bells reverberate across the sand.

We'll find our Kismet, answering love's command.
We'll locate our fate, responding obediently to embracing love.

You, Misirlou, are a dream of delight in the night.
You, Misirlou, are a night's joyful dream.

To an oasis, sprinkled by stars above,
To an oasis, adorned by shimmering stars above,

Heaven will guide us, Allah will bless our love.
Our love will be blessed by Allah, guided by heaven.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Fred Wise, Jose Pina, Milton Leeds, Nicholas Roubanis, Sidney Russell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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