Arden became a big band singer in the 1940s, singing with Al Trace, Joe Reichman, Ray Bloch and Shep Fields. She started recording as a soloist in 1946 for the minor National Records company, and signed her first solo recording contract with a major record label, Columbia Records, in 1949, where she had several low-charting hits. Charting hits on the Columbia Records label include "I Can Dream, Can't I?" (which reached #7 on the Billboard charts), "Too Young" (which reached #15), "Kiss of Fire" (which reached #14) and "I'm Yours" (which reached #24).
In the mid-1950s she moved to Decca Records. She also briefly recorded for RCA Victor Records.
Her biggest selling record (her only million-seller) was "Padre" in 1958.
As of 2006, Arden lives in Florida (near her brother and sometimes co-performer Jan Arden, born Frank Ardizzone) and still performs occasionally.
Padre
Toni Arden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In my grief I turn to you
The day that we wed you blessed us and said
"May heaven bestow you grace"
There in that holy place
We shared our first embrace
The palaces of a king
All day the birds would sing
Our hearts were full of Spring
Padre, padre, what happened to our love so true?
Padre, padre, in my grief I turn to you
Then she came along and sang him her song
And won him with honeyed lies
She of the golden eyes
Now it's my heart that cries
So I kneel and pray the hours away
And weary my heart has grown
Wondering where love has flown
Counting my tears alone
Padre, padre, what happened to our love so true?
Padre, padre, Pray for my love and me
The lyrics of Toni Arden's song, Padre, speaks of the sadness and heartbreak caused by the loss of a once-true love. The singer of the song turns to her spiritual father, Padre, as a source of solace and comfort. The song's opening line shows the depth of her pain and reveals her search for a higher power to ease her heartache.
The lyrics then go on to describe the memories of her wedding day, where Padre had blessed their union with grace, and they had shared their first love embrace. The cottage they shared was richer in love than any palace, and the Spring of their happiness and love made their hearts sing.
However, her happiness was short-lived when a temptress with golden eyes took her beloved away with her honeyed lies. The singer kneels and prays for hours, wondering where love has flown, and counting her tears alone, while hoping that Padre would intercede and pray for the return of her lost love.
In conclusion, Padre is a heartbreaking ballad that explores themes of love, loss, and hope. The singer's anguish and the search for solace in Padre's prayers are sentiments that many can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Padre, padre
Addressing the priest, seeking spiritual guidance and support during a difficult time
In my grief I turn to you
Expressing the pain and sorrow experienced by the singer and seeking comfort from the priest
The day that we wed you blessed us and said
Remembering the wedding day when the priest blessed the couple and offered kind words
"May heaven bestow you grace"
Recalling the priest's words asking for divine blessings for the couple
There in that holy place
Referring to the chapel or church where the wedding took place
We shared our first embrace
Remembering the moment when the singer and their partner shared their first romantic moment
Our cottage was small but richer than all
Describing the simple yet fulfilling life the couple had together
The palaces of a king
Comparing their own humble home to grand royal estates
All day the birds would sing
Recalling the happiness and beauty of their life together
Our hearts were full of Spring
Expressing the joy and vitality of their love for each other
Then she came along and sang him her song
Referring to another woman who entered the scene and won the singer's partner's affections
And won him with honeyed lies
Describing the woman's deceitful tactics in order to woo the artist's partner away
She of the golden eyes
Describing the physical appearance of the other woman
Now it's my heart that cries
Expressing the pain and sadness the singer feels over the loss of their partner's love
So I kneel and pray the hours away
Turning to prayer as a way to cope with the emotional turmoil caused by the breakup
And weary my heart has grown
Acknowledging the toll the breakup has taken on the artist's emotional well-being
Wondering where love has flown
Questioning where the love between the artist and their partner went wrong
Counting my tears alone
Feeling isolated in one's sadness and pain
Padre, padre, what happened to our love so true?
Repeating the opening question, seeking answers and comfort
Padre, padre, Pray for my love and me
Asking the priest to intercede with God on the artist's behalf in order to bring healing and restoration to their relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACQUES LARUE, ALAIN ROMANS, PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
marilyn callachan
SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SONG, BEAUTIFULLY SUNG, GOOSEBUMPS!!!!
Rosemarie Kury
Beautiful. I remember this song back when it was a hit, but never knew other artists also had sung it.
Bob Kurtz
Somehow this most beautiful song has more meanings on several levels, than in the 50s when Toni first sang it
dolores0121
In 1958, when Elvis was asked, "Most of the people have a song that's sort or special to them. Do you have a favourite song?" His replay was "My fovourite song is called Padre. Are you familiar with it by Toni Arden?"
Sandy Shores
Dolores: Yes i remember that interview and another favourite song he mentioned was " You'll never walk Alone" 💙
Rachael O
That's what brought me here. I just read that. 😀
cut1986
@dolores0121 Yes I do. Thank you.
dolores0121
@cut1986 Do you know that padre in Spanish means father in English?
cut1986
Yes. September of that year prior to his Germany departure. He went on to record his version in '71. Now I know why it was so dramatic.
fred koltz
Thank you, jukejointjohnny48! We would play "Turn Around Trivia" with our favorite DJ, and I always stumped him when I asked him who sung this beautiful song?!