YNWA At 50
You’ll Never Walk Alone was written by Oscar Hammerstein for the Broadway musical “Carousel” in 1945. But the version we are more familiar with first appeared in the charts on the 12th October 1963 and eventually topped the charts.
It is hard to believe that this classic song is 50 years old but what a song it has been with its association with Liverpool Football Club. Whenever you hear Gerry and the Pacemakers classic song on the radio it just makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
The song is so passionate and is the most famous footballing anthem in the world. The words in the song have so much meaning and the Liverpool supporters have inspired so many great Liverpool performances over the years with their own rendition.
The words in the song mean so much to me and I’ll try and explain what they mean to me and to Liverpool Football Club.
“When you walk through a storm”
Life is tough and it can be stormy but you have to keep going no matter how hard it gets. I have a severely autistic child and my dad took a stroke the day after Liverpool won the Carling Cup last season and I’ve found life really tough in the last year or so.
Liverpool continue to walk through tough times as they strive for justice from the Hillsborough tragedy and struggle to bring back the glory days from the seventies and the eighties.
“Hold your head up high”
You need to keep your pride and self-respect and keep your chin up when things are tough.
I just try to carry on with life as best as I can by helping my family as much as I can. I visit my dad almost every day to keep his spirits up and I try to spend as much time with my kids as possible.
Liverpool have continued their great work ethic for success as the y pride themselves as one of the world’s biggest football clubs.
“And don’t be afraid of the dark”
Don’t be afraid of the uncertainty that the future brings.
I worry about my kids growing up, especially my disabled son who now lives in residential care since leaving school in the summer. My father is frail after surviving a stroke and I know his time is limited so I’m trying to spend as much time with him as I can but I fear the inevitability of the “dark”.
The future is uncertain and the longer Liverpool miss out on Champions League football then harder it will be for Liverpool to bring back the glory days.
“At the end of the storm”
Things may be bad, but there will be an end to the torment eventually.
Life is full of changes and although I’m extremely busy in my daily life I know that it will change in the future as my kids grow up and my dad’s time runs out.
Liverpool have not won the league for over 20 years but that time will end in the future because Liverpool will win again. The Hillsborough families will also get justice after such a long wait.
“There’s a golden sky”
There is light at the end of the tunnel. After all the pain and struggle there will be a new dawn with a fresh start.
I dread losing my parents but I know that it will be the beginning of a new chapter in my life where I can focus on my children growing up.
When Liverpool win their next league title it will begin another chapter of success for the club. The Hillsborough inquest will bring those responsible to justice.
“And the sweet song of the lark”
The storm is over and the dark is past, you can now appreciate the calm after the storm.
I will appreciate the difficult chapter that has past and enjoy a slower pace of life with hopefully less stress than I have at the moment.
Liverpool winning will not only have the “lark” singing but the supporters singing as the silverware returns to Anfield.
“Walk on through the wind”
You must be determined to keep going, keep battling.
I will continue to fight and be strong through this tough time although I do get tired.
Liverpool will continue to improve in their quest for success and so do the Hillsborough families in their fight for justice.
“Walk on through the rain”
“Though your dreams be tossed and blown”
You may have to take three steps back before you can take a step forward in the quest to achieve your goal.
I’ve suffered many setbacks with my parents’ business going under and my mother surviving cancer and my eldest son being disabled and my father suffering a stroke but I keep the dream of my kids being healthy and successful and Liverpool winning the league again.
Liverpool have suffered many setbacks since their last league success but after the disastrous ownership of Hicks and Gillette Liverpool are heading in the right direction as they dream of winning the league again.
“Walk on, walk on”
Just take one step at a time.
I will try to slowly improve my life.
Liverpool are making small steps in the right direction.
“With hope in your heart”
Hope comes from within. It comes from your heart. If you have hope it will keep you going.
Hope keeps me going, the hope my kids will be successful, the hope my eldest son improves and the hope that I’m helping my dad cope with his disability.
Liverpool hope to be successful again and that is driving the club on.
“And you’ll never walk alone”
You won’t struggle alone you have friends and family who will help you.
I appreciate my family and how they help me cope with my tiredness and worries. I will never walk alone.
Win or lose Liverpool Football Club will never walk alone supported by the greatest supporters in the world.
Here’s to another 50 years of the greatest song ever made.
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Tags: Anfield, Hillsborough disaster, Liverpool, Liverpool FC, Liverpool Football Club, Merseyside, UEFA Champions League, You'll Never Walk Alone
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