The Mysterious Life of eden ahbez: The Hermit Who Gave Nat King Cole "Nature Boy"
In 1947, a disheveled man in a white robe and sandals approached the Lincoln Theater in Los Angeles, where Nat King Cole was performing. The stranger carried a handwritten song sheet and insisted on delivering it to Cole. Turned away by staff, he left it with Cole’s manager instead.
That song was "Nature Boy."
Cole was captivated by its haunting melody and poetic lyrics. But when he sought out the mysterious composer, he discovered a man who lived outside societal norms—sleeping in Central Park, rejecting materialism, and embracing a life of raw simplicity.
His name was eden ahbez—spelled intentionally in lowercase, as he believed only God and Love deserved capitalization.
Who Was eden ahbez?
Born George Alexander Aberle in 1908, ahbez spent his early years in orphanages and foster homes, never settling in one place. He wandered across America, hopping freight trains and surviving on raw fruits and vegetables.
By the 1940s, he had retreated to a cave beneath the Hollywood sign, where he meditated, studied Eastern mysticism, and lived on just $3 a week. His appearance—long hair, beard, and flowing robes—made him an outcast in conservative postwar America.
Yet, his philosophy was profound. When questioned by police, he famously replied:
"I look crazy, but I'm not. And the funny thing is, other people don’t look crazy—but they are."
"Nature Boy": A Message of Universal Love
The lyrics of "Nature Boy" carried a simple yet timeless truth:
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."
Some speculate ahbez chose Nat King Cole—a Black artist facing intense racism—to deliver this message. When asked about prejudice, ahbez responded:
"Some white people hate black people, and some white people love black people. Some black people hate white people, and some black people love white people. So you see, it's not an issue of black and white—it's an issue of lovers and haters."
The song became Cole’s first #1 hit, staying atop the charts for eight weeks in 1948. It has since been covered by legends like Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, and Lady Gaga.
The Hippie Movement’s Forgotten Prophet
Long before the 1960s counterculture, ahbez embodied its ideals. By the time the hippie movement emerged, artists like Grace Slick, Donovan, and Brian Wilson sought him out. He wrote songs for Eartha Kitt and Sam Cooke, and in 1960, he released his only solo album, Eden’s Island—a fusion of beatnik poetry and exotic instrumentals.
Though his album flopped, his influence endured. In 2009, Congressman Bill Aswad recited "Nature Boy" before Vermont’s same-sex marriage bill passed, proving the song’s enduring relevance.
Legacy of a Wanderer
Ahbez spent his final years in Sunland, California, running a small record label. He died in 1995 at 86, but his philosophy lives on.
As music scholar Raymond Knapp described it:
"Nature Boy" is a mystically charged vagabond song... its final line delivers an indestructible truth, salvaged somehow from the perilous journey of life."
In an era of division, ahbez’s message remains vital:
Love is the answer.
Did you know? eden ahbez’s original handwritten lyrics for "Nature Boy" were auctioned in 2021 for $25,000. His legacy continues to fascinate musicians and philosophers alike.
Would you have followed his way of life? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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