You’ll Never Walk Alone, the official anthem of the mighty Reds, has gained a lot of attention in these suffering times.
This song has the history of making miracles happen. After all, who could forget all those nights when the Reds go marching towards the Kop with the resounding sounds of fans singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in Anfield.
Who wrote YNWA and who chose it for Liverpool FC?
The iconic Red’s song was adopted from the Gerry and the Pacemakers’ cover released in 1963 by the Liverpool F.C and the manager, the legendary Bill Shankly.
How did YNWA song become so famous?
The rapid spread of Liverpool’s European fame due to six UEFA Champions trophies, three UEFA Europa trophies and a FIFA Club World Cup trophy, the song eventually got adopted by many other European clubs, the famous being Celtic F.C of Scotland and Borussia Dortmund of Germany.
When did YNWA become Liverpool Anthem?
The song gained a lot of traction during the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 where 96 fans lost their lives during a FA Cup semi-final clash between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield, England.
After the tragedy, it was reported by many officials and media outlets in the following days that the hooliganism and drunkenness of the Liverpool supporters had caused the disaster. This made it difficult for authorities to prosecute any individual or institution responsible for the disaster which enraged the family members of the deceased victims.
As the people started fighting for the truth and justice, for many years, the You’ll Never Walk Alone song has become their anthem. It reminded people about hope, truth, justice and courage invoking solidarity among them which resulted in achieving justice for the victims and their families finally in 2017, when six people were charged with negligence, misconduct in public office, manslaughter and prevention of justice by the jury. After the trail, the families of the victims celebrated by waving their hands and singing You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish both believe “You’ll Never Walk Alone” has carried extra significance to Liverpool fans in the wake of the Hillsborough tragedy.
“As well as being a footballing song, it also filled a huge void for people who lost somebody at Hillsborough,” said Dalglish.
The Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and many of his teammates also believed that the song had actually inspired them for the iconic Champions League final comeback in 2005 at Atatürk Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. He quote:
“You’ve been totally played off the park for 45 minutes. And then you hear the chorus of You’ll never walk Alone, probably the loudest and most emotional rendition I’ve ever heard as a player.”
YNWA is now more than Liverpool FC Anthem
Now, it has become a beacon of hope and support world wide to the medical staff, first respondents because of the pandemic. Many instances like in Rotterdam’s Maasstad Hospital in Netherlands where paramedics and other hospital workers started swaying their arms to the doctors and nurses while singing You’ll Never Walk Alone to show their support to the medical staff who are treating coronavirus patients.
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The boss Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp had reacted to a video of NHS medical staff supporting each other by singing the song which made him very emotional. He said “It’s unbelievable. But it shows everything, these people not only work but they have such a good spirit. They are used to helping other people, we need to get used to it because usually, we have our own problems and stuff. But it’s their job, they do it day in and day out. They bring themselves, if you want, in danger because they help ill, sick and seriously handicapped people, so I couldn’t admire them more and appreciate it more, I really couldn’t.” Klopp often praised the NHS of UK about their service and sacrifice towards humanity in an interview on the official website of Liverpool F.C.
It even topped the Lockdown charts in the UK due to the quarantine and self isolation.
The song has cemented its place in every Reds’ heart for a really long time. It is an anthem to turn to in the dark times. A communal anthem of triumph over adversity and more than anything, it provides words to live by. Although the song is used for celebration, its words reverberates for hope, an act of defiance and for support.
The essence of the You’ll Never Walk Alone is all about support and belief through thick and thin with solidarity by respecting those around us and those who are serving us by sacrificing themselves in these dark times, which perfectly applies to the present situation in the world (COVID-19), making it the most relevant song of our time.
This is why people and Liverpool fans sing You’ll Never Walk Alone.
