Song of Bernadette

Aaron Neville, Linda Ronstadt

About Song of Bernadette

"Song of Bernadette" is a song written by Jennifer Warnes, Leonard Cohen and Bill Elliott, and first recorded on Jennifer Warnes' 1986 album Famous Blue Raincoat. The title refers to Bernadette Soubirous, a young French girl in the mid-19th century who claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary on several occasions. She was canonized by the Catholic Church and proclaimed Saint Bernadette after her death. Warnes was inspired to write the song on a bus trip near Lourdes: I was given the name Bernadette at birth. But my siblings preferred the name "Jennifer" so my name was changed one week later. In 1979, on tour in the south of France with Leonard Cohen, I began writing a series of letters between the "Bernadette" I almost was, and "Jennifer"–two energies within me. One innocent, and the other who had fallen for the world.... So the song arose in a bus nearby Lourdes. I was...thinking about the great Saint who held her ground so well, and was not swayed from what she knew to be true. But the song is also about me longing to return to a place that was more pure, honest and true. I still long for this, and I think others do too." 


Year:
1993
4:02
523 
#3

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There was a child named Bernadette 
I heard the story long ago 
She saw the Queen of Heaven once 
And kept the vision in her soul 
No one believed what she had seen 
No one believed what she heard 
But there was sorrows to be 
And mercy, mercy in this world 

So many hearts I find, broke like yours and mine 
Torn by what we've done and can't undo 
I just want to hold you, won't you let me hold you 
Like Bernadette would do 

We've been around, we fall, we fly 
We mostly fall, we mostly run 
And every night, and then we try 
To mend the damage that we've done 
Tonight, tonight I can not rest 
I've got this joy inside my breast 
To think that I did not forget that child 
That song of Bernadette 

So many hearts I find, broke like yours and mine 
Torn by what we've done and can't undo 
I just want to hold, come on let me hold you 
Like Bernadette would do 
I just want to hold you, won't you let me hold you 
Like Bernadette would do

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Aaron Neville

Aaron Neville (born January 24, 1941, New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American soul and R&B, and country singer and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States (including three that went to number one on Billboard's adult contemporary chart and one that went to number one on the R&B chart) along with four platinum-certified albums. He has also recorded with his brothers Art, Charles and Cyril as The Neville Brothers and is the father of singer/keyboards player Ivan Neville. Of mixed African American and Native American heritage,[citation needed] his music also features Cajun and Creole influences. more »

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Written by: BILL ELLIOTT, JENNIFER WARNES, LEONARD COHEN, WILLIAM ELLIOTT

Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Song of Bernadette" is originally written by Leonard Cohen, Jennifer Warnes, and Bill Elliott. However, the version sung by Aaron Neville is quite famous.
Artist Background
Aaron Neville, the singer of this song, is a popular American R&B and soul vocalist and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States.
Album Release
"Song of Bernadette" by Aaron Neville can be found on his album named “Devotion” which was released in 2000.
Genre
The song "Song of Bernadette" falls under the genre of Soul and R&B, which is Aaron Neville's distinctive style.
Song Inspiration
The song was inspired by the story of Bernadette Soubirous, a young French girl from the town of Lourdes who reported visions of the Virgin Mary in 1858.
Collaborations
The song "Song of Bernadette" has also been performed by other artists, including Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt who provided backup vocals for Aaron Neville's version.
Awards
Although the "Song of Bernadette" didn't earn any awards itself, Aaron Neville has won four Grammy Awards so far in his career.
Song Theme
The song "Song of Bernadette" discusses themes of faith, inspiration, and the miraculous. It thus has a spiritual and religious tone reflecting Aaron Neville's personal beliefs.
Song Review
The song received positive reviews for its heartfelt lyrics and Aaron Neville's soulful voice. Many consider it to be one of his best performances.
Live Performances
"Song of Bernadette" is a staple in Aaron Neville's live performances and is well-received by the audience. The singer's sentimental and passionate delivery brings a new level of depth to the song.
Message from the Song
According to some listeners, the "Song of Bernadette" serves as a reminder about the presence of miracles in our lives, even if we are often too caught up in the chaos to appreciate them.

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