About the song

“Isabel” is a song by John Denver, released in 1970 on his album “Take Me to Tomorrow.” While not one of his biggest hits, it remains a beloved track among fans for its evocative imagery and melancholic tone.

Themes

The song explores themes of nature, love, loss, and the fleeting beauty of youth. Isabel is depicted as a character deeply connected to nature, a “mistress of the moonlight” and “sister to the stars.” However, she faces a sadness, a sense that something precious is slipping away, perhaps innocence or a carefree spirit. The lyrics hint at a summer coming to an end, mirroring the feeling of loss.

Lyrics

The song is written in a poetic style, rich with imagery. Here are some key excerpts:

  • “With a whisper of her sadness in the passing of the summer, her crown is wild red roses with a lace of forest green.”

  • “She’s a mistress of the moonlight, to the stars she is a sister. And the morning now awaits her to betray her once again.”

  • “Isabel is weeping, and her eyes are full of wonder. She knows that it’s the time for her, and she cannot understand.”

The lyrics don’t provide a clear narrative, but rather create a mood and paint a portrait of a complex character.

Video

Lyrics

Isabel is waiting in a room of many shadowsHer eyes like flashing diamonds shining brightly from the seaHer hair in silken tresses, like a robe, around her shouldersHiding tantalizing treasures that the sun has never seen
Isabel is watching, like a princess from the mountainsFor the first soft snows of winter and the icy winds they bringWith a whisper of her sadness in the passing of the summerHer crown is wild red roses with a lace of forest green
And she wraps her arms around me, and she sighsAnd she sings to me in silence with her eyesAnd her hair upon my pillow comforts me
Isabel is weeping, and her eyes are full of wonderShe knows that it’s the time for her, and she cannot understandShe’s a mistress of the moonlight, to the stars she is a sisterAnd the morning now awaits her, to betray her once again
And she whispers as she sadly slips awayThen she smiles, because there’s nothing left to sayAnd she takes with her the sadness and the sun

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *