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Love Me Tender
(Presley-Matson)

Love me tender love me sweet
Never let me go
You have made my life complete
And I love you so

Love me tender love me true
All my dreams fulfilled
For my darling I love you
And I always will

Love me tender love me long
Take me to your heart
For it's there that I belong
And we'll never part

Love me tender love me dear
Tell me you are mine
I'll be yours through all the years
Till the end of time

 

Lyrics to Love Me Tender

Love Me Tender

Stories Behind The Songs

"Love Me Tender" was released as a single on September 10, 1956, to promote a 20th Century Fox movie of the same name starring Elvis Presley. Originally, the movie was to be titled "The Reno Brothers", but "Love Me Tender" had become so successful in such a short period that they decided to use the song as the movie title.

"Love Me Tender" was actually written in 1861 as "Aura Lee", a Civil War tune in the public domain written in 1861. Although Elvis Presley and Vera Matson are listed as co-writers, "Love Me Tender" was written by Matson's husband, Ken Darby. Elvis Presley is said to have deserved co-writing credit because he changed a few lines and was actively involved in the song's production.

 

Aura Lee
(Fosdick-Poulton)
 
As the blackbird in the spring,
'Neath the willow tree,
Sat and piped, I heard him sing,
Sing of Aura Lee
Aura Lee, Aura Lee,
Maid with golden hair;
Sunshine came along with thee,
And swallows in the air.
In thy blush the rose was born,
Music when you spake,
Through thine azure eye, the morn,
Sparkling seemed to break.
Aura Lee, Aura Lee,
Birds of crimson wing,
Never song have sung to me,
In that night, sweet spring.
Aura Lee! The bird may flee,
The willow's golden hair
Swing through winter fitfully,
On the stormy air.
Yet if thy blue eyes I see,
Gloom will soon depart;
For to me, sweet Aura Lee
Is sunshine through the heart.
When the mistletoe was green,
Midst the winter's snows,
Sunshine in thy face was seen,
Kissing lips of rose.
Aura Lee, Aura Lee,
Take my golden ring;
Love and light return with thee,
And swallows with the spring.

"Love Me Tender" was actually "Aura Lee" in disguise. Elvis Presley's remarkable, heartfelt delivery of a remanufactured song made "Love Me Tender" one of the most recognizable, important love songs in music history.

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