Isle of Capri

the sensational 1934 European tango foxtrot song
words by Jimmy Kennedy
music by Wilhelm “Will” Grosz (a.k.a. Hugh Williams)


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

1. Somewhere far away, over Naples bay
That’s where my thoughts keep on turning
Down by the sea, where romance came to me
Picturing the scene and what might have been
Bit it’s in vain that I’m yearning
Fate changed it all, and I’m left to recall

Chorus
‘Twas on the Isle of Capri that I found her
Beneath the shade of an old walnut tree
Oh, I can still see the flowers blooming round her
Where we met on the Isle of Capri
She was as sweet as a rose at the dawning
But somehow fate hadn’t meant her for me
And though I sailed with the tide in the morning
Still my heart’s on the Isle of Capri
Summertime was nearly over
Blue Italian sky above
I said “Lady, I’m a rover,
Can you spare a sweet word of love?”
She whispered softly “It’s best not to linger”
And then as I kissed her hand I could see
She wore a plain golden ring on her finger
‘Twas goodbye on the Isle of Capri

2. Soft Italian eyes, dark as midnight skies
Sleeping or walking they haunt me
Their magic thrill holds a spell on me still
‘Tho I know for me this love may not be
Why does a sweet voice still taunt me
Lost love, it seems, you just bring empty dreams


Sung here by Fred Feild: