I could hum and whistle the melody of “Isle of Capri” in primary school. However, I did not know who originally sang the song nor where Capri was. Much later, I knew it was an extraordinary island in the Bay of Naples where rich and famous people have their vacation. And finally, at 69 years old, I set foot on the island.
“Isle of Capri” is a popular song. Wilhelm Grosz composed the music (a tango foxtrot), while Jimmy Kennedy wrote the lyrics. Vocalist Al Bowlly recorded the first version of the song in 1934.
I am particularly interested in the third line of the lyrics (“Oh, I can still see the flowers blooming ’round her”). The lyricist did not name the flowers. It captured my imagination.
Could the flowers be hibiscus? Yes, I saw plenty of hibiscuses; it was the only type of flower I saw along the Capri Marina. I was pleasantly surprised that the flower was in full bloom in mid-October.
Hibiscus belongs to the Mallow family, Malvaceae. The genus comprises several hundred species and can be found worldwide in warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions. The flower is very popular – it is the national symbol of Haiti, the national flower of the Solomon Islands, South Korea, and Malaysia. It is also the state flower of Hawaii.
The isle of Capri is where I first encountered “Bunga Raya” outside Malaysia and Singapore. I also learned the deep red variety (the national flower of Malaysia) originated in China, hence the name Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis
Lyrics of Isle of Capri
‘Twas on the Isle of Capri that I found her
Beneath the shade of an old walnut tree
Oh, I can still see the flowers blooming ’round her
Where we met on the Isle of Capri
She was as sweet as a rose at the dawning
But somehow, fate hadn’t meant it for me
And though he sailed with the tide in the morning
Still, my heart’s in the Isle of Capri
Summertime was nearly over
Blue Italian sky above
I said, “Lady, I’m a rover
Can you spare a sweet word of love?”
She whispered softly, “It’s best not to linger”
And then, as I kissed her hand I could see
She wore a lovely meatball on her finger
‘Twas goodbye at the Villa Capri
Summertime was nearly over
Blue Italian sky above
I said “Lady, I’m a rover
Can you spare a fine word o’love?”
She whispered softly “It’s best not to linger”
And then as I kissed her hand I could see
She wore a plain golden ring on her finger
‘Twas goodbye on the Isle of Capri
‘Twas goodbye on the Isle of Capri
‘Twas goodbye on the Isle of Capri
Vince
Dr Vincent Chong is a retired Professor of Radiology at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
