Granada

By Agustin Lara & Dorothy Dodd
1944

This operatic-style number was originally composed by Lara with Spanish lyrics, and was a popular Mexican song introduced in the U.S. in the film Two Girls and a Sailor by Xavier Cugat's orchestra. It would later have English lyrics provided by Dodd, and Bing Crosby would be the first to record them in 1951. A flamboyant, bombastic international standard.

Lyrics:

Granada, I’m falling under your spell,
And if you could speak, what a fascinating tale you would tell.
Of an age the world has long forgotten,
Of an age that weaves a silent magic in Granada today.

The dawn in the sky greets the day with a sigh for Granada.
For she can remember the splendor that once was Granada.
It still can be found in the hills all around as I wander along,
Entranced by the beauty before me,
Entranced by a land full of flowers and song.

When day is done and the sun touch the sea in Granada,
I envy the blush of the snow-clad Tierra Nevada.
Soon it will welcome the stars,
While a thousand guitars play a soft carbinera.
Then moonlit Granada will live again,
The glory of yesterday, romantic and gay.

Recorded By:

Mario Lanza
Frankie Laine
Frank Sinatra
Perez Prado
Placido Domingo