"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is a love ballad written by Ewan MacColl and made famous by Engelbert Humperdinck. The song captures the emotions and experiences of witnessing love and its transformative power for the first time. The lyrics describe the narrator's overwhelming fascination and admiration for their lover. In the opening lines, the narrator describes the profound impact of seeing their lover for the first time. The comparison of their eyes to the rising sun suggests that their presence brings warmth, light, and a new beginning to the narrator's life. The moon and stars symbolize the precious and beautiful gifts that their lover brings to fill the previously empty skies. As the song progresses, the narrator recounts their first kiss. The experience is described as the earth turning in their hand, conveying a sense of astonishment and wonder at the intense emotions and connection they feel. The simile of a trembling heart of a captive bird suggests the vulnerability and surrender the narrator experiences in the presence of their lover. Finally, the narrator reflects on the first time they made love with their partner. The closeness and intimacy they share causes them to believe that their love and happiness can fill the entire earth and endure forever. The phrase "the end of time" symbolizes the everlasting nature of their love and the hope that it will never fade away. Overall, the song is a testament to the power of love and the profound impact it can have on an individual's life. It captures the overwhelming emotions, joy, and transcendence experienced when encountering deep love for the first time.
