Tough week alright, and who could blame Helen for not feeling able to come up with a specific theme for this Sunday?
Much as I am a huge fan of Leonard Cohen, we perhaps need something a little more uplifting in these times. Besides, if I hear another strangulated version of ‘Hallelujah’ any time in the next six months it’ll be way too soon.
My comfort zone as far as musical genres go is definitely rock, in the broad sense, and as a general rule, I’d walk a mile over broken glass to avoid a ‘Musical’. However, I make one honourable exception, and it’s for the song ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical ‘Carousel’.
When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm, there’s a golden sky
And the sweet, silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your hearts
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your hearts
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone
Writer/s: OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II, RICHARD RODGERS
Publisher: Peermusic Publishing, IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind
I’ve never seen Carousel and have no wish to, but I have heard this song literally (and I do mean literally) hundreds, if not thousands, of times. That’s because – in case you don’t know – for more than fifty years it has been the anthem of the supporters of Liverpool Football Club, (among whom I proudly count myself). Hearing this still never fails to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, especially that moment – around 1:20 in this version – when the PA fades out the record (Gerry and The Pacemakers) and leaves the fans to themselves.
May I humbly suggest that you crank up the volume as far as it will go: then maybe – just maybe – you’ll get an inkling of what it’s like to be in the middle of it.
If it requires any further explanation, consider this comment by Bill Shankly:
Seems timely.
the only deadhead in the hameau 
I hope everyone who follows Song Lyric Sunday (and everyone else for that matter) finds your post and listens to it. Of all the songs I listened to today, this one made me cry. It always blows me away to hear a crowd united in something so beautiful… this is probably the most epic one I’ve ever heard. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be in the middle of it.
I have actually seen Carousel, but that doesn’t do the song justice, so you’re not missing anything at all. 🙂 Thank you SO much for sharing this. This is the one I needed today. ❤
I’m glad you liked it, Helen. As for the noise, imagine what it was like when there were twice as many supporters on the Kop – standing – as there are now in seats. And as for when Liverpool score….
I can only imagine… 😉
This song always reduces me to tears – and I have seen the film, with my dear loved Nana, – I have stood on the Kop – the world needs to listen and really hear these words.
As an East London boy and West Ham supporter (The blessings of The Prophet be upon them) I’m more of an “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” man myself, but I have been to Anfield to watch The Hammers take on The Reds and I can vouch for the emotional impact of The Kop in full cry.
The game ended 1-1 incidentally, Keegan snatched a jammy equaliser in the dying minutes 🙂
Keegan? Giving your age away there, old chap. Although I’ve no room to talk as I was on the Kop when Keegan made his Liverpool debut and scored after 12 minutes (against Nottingham Forest – and I remebered that without looking it up on Wikipedia).
I’m as old as my tongue and a little bit older than my teeth, Deaders 😀
Tommy Smith was my favourite Liverpool legend. You’ve probably heard the old apocryphal story in which Tommy’s wife rings the ground after a game, complaining that Tommy hasn’t arrived home. Bill Shankly took her call and said “I’m afraid Tommy’s got a broken leg love”
“Oh no!” she wailed “Whose is it?”
The words have been important to them through bad times too.