To an oasis, sprinkled by stars above,
Heaven will guide us, Allah will bless our love.

Harry Saroyan's Version

The version of "Misirlou" that Harry Saroyan recorded on his album Saroyan Sings Cairo is sing partly in English and partly in Spanish.

Numbers in parentheses refer to footnotes that appear at the bottom of the lyrics.

PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

Misirlou / Miserlou (English Lyrics)   This page contains two different English versions of the lyrics to the popular song "Misirlou", which is often spelled "Miserlou". The first known recording of "Misirlou" was sung in Greek by Theodotos (Tetos) Demetriades in 1927. The first known version using the English lyrics was recorded in 1941 by Mitchell Ayres. Original Greek Lyrics and Music: Nicholas (Nikos) Roubanis English Lyrics: Bob Russell, Fred Wise and Milton Leeds A second version of English lyrics was written in 1967 by Gail Collins, for performance by the band The Devil's Anvil. ABOUT THE PHOTO: This photo shows Mitchell Ayres, the first vocalist to release a recording of "Misirlou" with English lyrics by Russell, Wise, and Leeds. Song lyrics are provided for educational purposes. If you like the song, please purchase either the album or a download from an authorized source.   Listen to MP3 Clips of This Song Sung in Greek by Tetos Dimitriadis (the original artist) Surf guitar instrumental by Dick Dale and the Del-Tones Sung in English by Harry Saroyan (in English) Oud instrumental by Pangia   The Lyrics by Russell, Wise, and Leeds This is the version that has been the most widely recorded by English-speaking artists. Desert shadows creep across purple sands. Natives kneel in prayer by their caravans. There, silhouetted under an eastern star I see my long lost blossom of Shalimar. Oooooo, Misirlou, you're the moon and sun, fairest one! Old temple bells are calling across the sand We'll find our Kismet answering love's command. You, Misirlou, are a dream of delight in the night.

1. Shalimar refers to a series of gardens from India's Mughal empire. Some of these gardens were built in India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. They were built in the Persian style of architecture.
2. The word "kismet" is one of several words in Turkish that can mean "fate" or "destiny". It is derived from the Arabic word قسمة (kisma), which can mean "destiny", among other things.

The Devil's Anvil Version

These lyrics were written in 1967 by Gail Collins, the wife of Felix Pappalardi, one of the musicians in a 1960's group called The Devil's Anvil.

Misirlou I saw you through the door Naked feet that danced across the floor Eyes full of madness Hiding the sadness there Hiding the love that’s destined to go nowhere. Ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, Misirlou! Now that I’ve seen you, My life is not the same! Here in the lonely morning I call your name. Ooooooo ooooooo ooooooo, Misirlou! I feel you everywhere I see your face and touch your golden hair Soft arms enfolding here in the cold I stand Waiting to see you pass and to touch your hand Ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, Misirlou! Now that I’ve seen you, My life is not the same! Here in the lonely morning I call your name.

Where to Get Recordings of this Song

Listen to Clip

Artist: Harry Saroyan CD Title: Saroyan Sings Cairo

Related Articles

About the Spanish Lyrics in Harry Saroyan's Version

Aziza al-Shuruq assisted with transcribing and translating the Spanish-language lyrics that Harry Saroyan included in his version of the song.

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