Jim’s theme for this week is faithfulness, with his illustrative key words being ‘resolute’, ‘staunch’ and ‘steadfast’. The song I’ve selected doesn’t use any of these words specifically, but certainly conveys their meaning.

“Stand By Me’ is a much-loved, much covered classic. Arguably, the best-known version is that of Ben E King, who wrote it in 1961, in collaboration with the highly successful songwriting team of Lieber and Stoller. However, I think that John Lennon made a pretty good fist of it in this cover version.

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
No, I won’t be afraid
Oh, I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me

So darlin’, darlin’
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand, stand by me
Stand by me

If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won’t cry, I won’t cry
No, I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me

And darlin’, darlin’
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now, stand by me
Stand by me

Darlin’, darlin’
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now, stand by me
Stand by me
Whenever you’re in trouble
Won’t you stand by me?
Oh, stand by me
Won’t you stand now?
Oh, stand, stand by me

Written by Ben E King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller

Song Lyric Sunday 12 September 2021