If Ever I Would Leave You [From Camelot]
John Raitt · Other Songs - John Raitt
It wouldn't be in summer.
Seeing you in summer
I never would go.
Your hair streaked with sunlight,
Your lips red as flame,
Your face with a lustre
That puts gold to shame!
But if I'd ever leave you,
It couldn't be in autumn.
How I'd leave in autumn
I never will know.
I've seen how you sparkle
When fall nips the air.
I know you in autumn
And I must be there.
And could I leave you
Running merrily through the snow?
Or on a wintry evening
When you catch the fire's glow?
If ever I would leave you,
How could it be in springtime?
Knowing how in spring I'm bewitched by you so?
Oh, no! not in springtime!
Summer, winter or fall!
No, never could I leave you at all!
If Ever I Would Leave You [From Camelot]
John Raitt stands as a towering figure in American musical theater, renowned for his powerful baritone and pioneering role in bringing Broadway scores to the concert hall. This recording of "If Ever I Would Leave You" captures his mastery of the classic American songbook, specifically within the realm of English-language musicals. As a signature piece from the legendary production Camelot, the song showcases Raitt's ability to convey deep emotional vulnerability and romantic longing. His interpretation remains a definitive example of mid-20th-century theatrical vocal performance, bridging the gap between stage drama and intimate studio recording. The track highlights his enduring influence on the genre, demonstrating why his voice became synonymous with the golden age of musical theater.