Padre

Album

Single

Label

Decca Records

Genre

Dance-pop

Duration

0:00

Composer(s)

Alain Romans;Paul Francis Webster

Entered Chart

May 26, 1958

Released

Unknown

Recorded

Unknown

Catalog #

Decca 30628

B-Side

All At Once

"Padre Don José" is a French-language song written by Jacques Larue (fr) and Alain Romans and originally released in 1956 by Gloria Lasso. In 1957 Paul Francis Webster wrote English lyrics for it. The English version was titled "Padre". In 1958 it was released as a single by Toni Arden. Her version peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over million copies in the United States. In 1970 Marty Robbins reached number 5 on Billboard's "Hot Country Singles" chart with his version of "Padre". Once in a 1958 interview Elvis Presley said that "Padre" by Toni Arden was his favorite song. He recorded his version on Saturday, May 15, 1971. His recording was released on his 1973 album Elvis ("The Fool").

Padre, padre
In my grief I turn to you

The day that we wed you blessed us and said
"May heaven bestow you grace"
There in that holy place
We shared our first embrace

Our cottage was small but richer than all
The palaces of a king
All day the birds would sing
Our hearts were full of Spring

Padre, padre, what happened to our love so true?
Padre, padre, in my grief I turn to you

Then she came along and sang him her song
And won him with honeyed lies
She of the golden eyes
Now it's my heart that cries

So I kneel and pray the hours away
And weary my heart has grown
Wondering where love has flown
Counting my tears alone

Padre, padre, what happened to our love so true?
Padre, padre, Pray for my love and me