Aboutthe song
“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is a timeless folk ballad that traces its origins back to the creative fervor of Ewan MacColl, a prominent British singer-songwriter known for his political activism. Penned in 1957 for Peggy Seeger, who later became his spouse, the song initially emerged from a deeply personal context—their blossoming romantic relationship amid MacColl’s ongoing marriage to another woman, Jean Newlove. It was within this backdrop of clandestine love that MacColl crafted the tender verses that would eventually resonate across generations.
The song found its early home in the folk clubs of Britain, where Seeger’s performances with MacColl captivated audiences with their raw emotion and poignant lyrics. Its initial recording came in 1960 by Bonnie Dobson, paving the way for subsequent interpretations by folk groups like the Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary throughout the 1960s. Despite these renditions, MacColl remained critical of the covers, preferring his original intimate rendition over the more commercially-driven adaptations.
However, it was Roberta Flack’s soulful interpretation that catapulted the song into global prominence in 1972. Originally recorded in 1969 for her album “First Take,” Flack’s rendition initially gained traction as the soundtrack to Clint Eastwood’s film “Play Misty for Me.” The film’s inclusion of the song in a pivotal love scene propelled it to the top of the Billboard charts, where it remained for six weeks, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon.
Flack’s version of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” captivated listeners with its slow, sensual arrangement, which resonated deeply with the song’s lyrical themes of love and longing. Its success underscored the song’s universal appeal, transcending its folk origins to become a quintessential love ballad cherished across diverse audiences. The song’s journey—from MacColl’s initial inspiration to its widespread acclaim—illustrates its enduring power to evoke emotions and memories, making it a staple in the canon of classic love songs.
Beyond its commercial success, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” holds a poignant place in cultural history. It was played during the final day of the Apollo 17 mission, as astronauts orbited the moon, a poignant nod to its lyrical imagery and universal resonance. Such moments underscore how the song has transcended its origins, embedding itself not just in music charts, but in the collective memory of listeners worldwide.
In conclusion, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” remains a testament to the transformative power of music, with its lyrical beauty and evocative melody continuing to captivate new generations, ensuring its place as an enduring classic in the tapestry of popular music.
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Lyrics
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the endless skies, my love
To the dark and the endless skies
And the first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hand
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command, my love
That was there at my command, my love
And the first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last ’til the end of time my love
And it would last ’til the end of time
The first time ever I saw your face
Your face, your face, your face