| Composer | Robert Farnon |
| Lyricist | Jim Dale |
| Year Written | 1968 |
About This Song
“Irena,” also known as “Irena’s Theme,” was written by Robert Farnon and Jim Dale for the soundtrack of the 1968 film Shalako, about a group of Europeans on a hunting trip in New Mexico to the displeasure of the local Apache tribe. Brigitte Bardot played the role of Irena.
View the lyrics
Irena, Irena
A lover waits for you
The right one, a knight one
No other love will do
Everything you ever dreamed a man could bring
He’ll offer for the taking
So take him
He needs you
You need him
Irena
Oh, no lover waits too long
Believe him
Receive him
You know where you belong
Live today
Its time you gave your love away
Don’t wait until tomorrow
In sorrow
You may find
Your lover gone
Irena, Irena, darling
Recordings
1968
Tony Bennett recorded “Irena” on October 1, 1968. Composer Farnon wrote. the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.
CO 100207
Release History
| 1972 | Columbia LP 12″: C 31219 — Summer Of ’42 |
| 1972 | CBS LP 12″: S64848 — Summer Of ’42 |
| 2011 | Columbia: The Complete Collection — Disc 43 — Summer of ’42 |