About The Song

“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is a 1957 folk song written by British political singer/songwriter Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger. The first time Roberta Flack ever sang “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” on a record, it was in 1969 as an album track. It became a hit three years later, in 1972, when it was featured in Clint Eastwood’s film “Play Misty for Me”. In 1972, the song became a major international hit for Roberta Flack, winning Grammy Awards for Record and Song of the Year, and topping the Billboard No. 1 charts.

The song showcases Flack’s vocal abilities and can be seen as an ode to individuality and true love. The lyrics of the song convey the sense of wonder and awe that comes with the discovery of true love. They describe the experience of seeing someone for the first time and being struck by their beauty. Overall, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is a beautiful and timeless love ballad that continues to resonate with listeners today.

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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, my love

The first time ever I saw your face
Your face
Your face
Your face