Araby (c. 11-17-24) - Fletcher Henderson

Tonight I’m dreaming of Araby

That’s where my dreams seem to carry me Where ev’rything is Oriental

And ev’ryone is sentimental

There in the shade of the shelt’ring palms

I met a maiden fair

I long to hold her gently in my arms

Oh, how I wish I was there

Araby, when shades of night appear

I seem to hear you calling

Araby, you seem to beckon and I reckon

I’ll be hurrying back again

Seems to me

A maiden’s face appears

I see her tears are falling

Falling because I left her there

That’s why I long to be Where all those happy faces

Wait for me Beside the fair oasis

Soon, you’ll see

Within a caravan

An Arab man will take me Over the desert back to Araby

Someday you’ll find me in Araby

Where someone’s waiting to marry me I can’t forget the day we parted

She said I left her broken hearted

I helped her on to a camel’s back

Before she rode away

She made me promise that I would come back

I’ll keep my promise someday