The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is a poignant ballad that captures the profound and transformative experience of falling in love. The song's lyrics convey the intense emotions and deep connection felt when one encounters true love for the first time. Flack's soulful voice and the song's gentle melody combine to create a timeless expression of love's power.

The opening lines, where the singer compares her lover's eyes to the rising sun, use celestial imagery to express the awe and wonder that accompany the initial moments of love. This metaphorical language continues throughout the song, with references to the moon, stars, and the Earth moving, which all serve to illustrate the magnitude of her feelings. The lyrics suggest that the love she has found is not just a personal joy, but a cosmic event that has the power to affect the world around them.

The song's final verse, repeating the phrase 'your face,' emphasizes the lasting impression the lover has made on the singer. It's a testament to the enduring nature of love, suggesting that the memory of the first encounter will remain with her forever. The repetition serves as a powerful conclusion, leaving listeners with the sense that this love is eternal, transcending time and space. Roberta Flack's delivery of these lines imbues them with a sense of reverence and devotion, making the song a beloved classic that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the transformative power of love.