Annabel Lee

Marianne Faithfull · Other Songs - Marianne Faithfull

It was many and many a year ago,

In a a kingdom by the sea,

That a maiden there lived whom you may know

By the name of annabel lee;

And this maiden she lived with no other thought

Than to love and be loved by me;



I was a child and she was a child,

In this kingdom by the sea:

But we loved with a love that was more than love ¡º

I and my annabel lee;

With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven

Coveted her and me;



And this was the reason that, long ago,

In this kingdom by the sea,

A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling

My beautiful annabel lee;

So that her high-born kinsman came

And bore her away from me,

To shut her up in a sepulchre

In this kingdom by the sea.



The angels, not half so happy in heaven,

Went envying her and me ¡º

Yes! ¡º that was the reason (as all men know,

In this kingdom by the sea)

That the wind came out of the cloud by night,

Chilling and killing my annabel lee;



But our love it was stronger by far than the love

Of those who were older than we ¡º

Of many far wiser than we ¡º

And neither the angels in heaven above,

Nor the demons down under the sea,

Can ever dissever my soul from the soul

Of the beautiful annabel lee,



For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams

Of the beautiful annabel lee;

And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes

Of the beautiful annabel lee;

And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side

Of my darling ¡º my darling ¡º my life and my bride,

In the sepulchre there by the sea,

In her tomb by the sounding sea

Annabel Lee - Marianne Faithfull

Marianne Faithfull's 1966 recording of 'Annabel Lee' stands as a haunting reinterpretation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic poem, blending gothic melancholy with her distinctive vocal style. Released during her early solo career, the track captures a raw, intimate atmosphere that diverges from the traditional operatic or orchestral treatments of the source material. Faithfull's performance is characterized by a breathy, vulnerable delivery that emphasizes the emotional weight of the lyrics, creating a soundscape that feels both timeless and deeply personal. The recording reflects the poetic sensibilities of the mid-1960s, where folk and art song influences often intersected with classical literature. While the song lacks a specific album title in public records, it remains a significant piece in Faithfull's discography, showcasing her ability to transform literary works into evocative musical statements. The track continues to be celebrated for its atmospheric quality and Faithfull's unique interpretation of Poe's narrative.