Annabel Lee Lyrics

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  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

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About

Genius Annotation

This was Poe’s last complete poem. It was written in 1849, and published that same year (shortly after Poe’s death). It speaks of his love for a woman, a love so strong even angels were jealous, which is, according to the narrator, why they killed her. However, his love for her endures, even after death.

It is most likely talking about Poe’s wife (and first cousin), Virginia Eliza Clemm. She too was taken away from Poe too early, when she died of tuberculosis.

Poe has stated that the first thing he does when writing a poem is pick a vowel sound that sounds unsettling to him, and then he doubles down on that sound during the poem. In Annabel Lee, it is the “ee” sound. Count how many times it appears!

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Credits
Release Date
October 9, 1849
Songs That Interpolate Annabel Lee
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