Van Morrison – Tupelo Honey

About the song

Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey,” the title track from his 1971 album of the same name, stands as a timeless testament to the power of love and the enduring allure of simplicity. This soulful ballad, with its infectious melody and heartfelt lyrics, has captivated audiences for decades.

The song’s namesake, Tupelo honey, is a rare and exquisite delicacy produced in the southeastern United States. This luxurious treat serves as a fitting metaphor for the sweetness and preciousness of the love Morrison sings about. The melody, borrowed from his earlier song “Crazy Love,” lends a familiar yet captivating quality to “Tupelo Honey,” further enhancing its emotional resonance.

Morrison’s vocals on the track are a marvel of expressive power. His voice, rich with emotion and nuance, conveys a deep sense of longing and adoration. The lyrics, simple yet profound, paint a vivid picture of a love that is both passionate and tender.

The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level. Whether it’s the universal themes of love and loss or the sheer beauty of Morrison’s performance, “Tupelo Honey” continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.

It is a testament to the song’s timeless quality that it has been covered by numerous artists and featured in popular culture. Its legacy as a beloved classic is secure, ensuring that its sweet melodies and heartfelt lyrics will continue to touch the hearts of listeners for generations to come.

Video

Lyrics

You can take all the tea in China
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail right around all the seven oceans
Drop it straight into the deep blue sea

She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree
She’s as sweet, she’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee

You can’t stop us on the road to freedom
You can’t keep us ’cause our eyes can see
Men with insight, men in granites
Knights in armor bent on chivalry

She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree (she’s an angel)
She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee

You can’t stop us on our road to freedom
And you can’t stop us ’cause our eyes can see
Men with insight, men in granite
Knights in armor intent on chivalry

She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree (she’s an angel)
She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee

Oh, you know she’s alright
Oh, she’s alright with me (she’s an angel)
But you know, you know, you know she’s alright
She’s alright with me (she’s an angel)
Yeah, you know, you know, you know, you know
You know she’s alright, alright with me (she’s an angel)
She’s alright, yes, she’s alright
She’s alright with me (she’s an angel)

She’s alright, she’s alright with me (she’s an angel)
She’s alright, she’s alright with me (she’s an angel)
And she’s all, she’s alright, she’s alright
She’s alright with me (she’s an angel)
She’s alright, she’s alright, she’s alright, she’s alright (she’s an angel)

You can take all the tea in China
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail it right around all the seven oceans
Drop it, smack dab in the middle of the deep blue sea

Because she’s as sweet as Tupelo honey, yes she is
She’s an angel of the first degree (she’s an angel)
Oh, she’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee (she’s an angel)

Oh, she’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
She’s an angel, angel of the first degree (she’s an angel)
Oh, she’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like the real thing from, from the bee

You know she’s alright, oh, she’s alright
She’s alright with me (she’s an angel)
She’s my baby, you know, she’s alright (she’s an angel)
She’s my baby, baby, she’s my baby
You know she’s alright, she’s my baby (she’s an angel)

Oh-oh, she’s alright (she’s an angel)
(She’s an angel)
(She’s an angel)
(She’s an angel)
(She’s an angel)