London Pride
Noël Coward
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London Pride has been handed down to us. London Pride is a flower that's free. London Pride means our own dear town to us, And our pride it for ever will be. Woa, Liza, See the coster barrows, Vegetable marrows And the fruit piled high. Woa, Liza, Little London sparrows, Covent Garden Market where the costers cry. Cockney feet Mark the beat of history. Every street Pins a memory down. Nothing ever can quite replace The grace of London Town. INTERLUDE There's a little city flower every spring unfailing Growing in the crevices by some London railing, Though it has a Latin name, in town and country-side We in England call it London Pride. London Pride has been handed down to us. London Pride is a flower that's free. London Pride means our own dear town to us, And our pride it for ever will be. Hey, lady, When the day is dawning See the policeman yawning On his lonely beat. Gay lady, Mayfair in the morning, Hear your footsteps echo in the empty street. Early rain And the pavement's glistening. All Park Lane In a shimmering gown. Nothing ever could break or harm The charm of London Town. INTERLUDE In our city darkened now, street and square and crescent, We can feel our living past in our shadowed present, Ghosts beside our starlit Thames Who lived and loved and died Keep throughout the ages London Pride. London Pride has been handed down to us. London Pride is a flower that's free. London Pride means our own dear town to us, And our pride it for ever will be. Grey city Stubbornly implanted, Taken so for granted For a thousand years. Stay, city, Smokily enchanted, Cradle of our memories and hopes and fears. Every Blitz Your resistance Toughening, From the Ritz To the Anchor and Crown, Nothing ever could override The pride of London Town.
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Written by: NOEL COWARD, NOEL PIERCE COWARD
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Song Creation"London Pride" was authored by the celebrated British playwright, songwriter, and actor Noël Coward in 1941.
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London InspirationIt was inspired by Coward's love for London and the resilient spirit of its residents during the second world war.
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Historical ContextNoel Coward wrote this song during the Blitz - a period in World War II when the United Kingdom was being heavily bombed by Nazi Germany.
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Tune InfluenceThe song's melody is said to have been influenced by the chimes of London's Big Ben clock tower.
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Floral ReferencesMusically, 'London Pride' refers to a popular garden plant Saxifraga x urbium, widely known as London Pride. This plant turned out to be a symbol of resilience, much like the people of London during war times.
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Song Popularity"London Pride" has achieved a royal status among songs about London. It's considered an unofficial anthem of the city.
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Iconic PerformancesSince its first performance, the song has been covered by many artists, reflecting its enduring appeal and cultural significance.
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Movie AppearanceThe song was prominently featured in the 1943 film "This Happy Breed," directed by David Lean and based on a play by Coward himself.
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Noble MessageThe lyrics of the song pay tribute to the courage of the ordinary Londoners during World War II and encourage them to continue showing the same spirited determination.
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RelevanceThe song's message of resilience and endurance in the face of adversity remains relevant even in contemporary times, often being sung or played at events commemorating various significant events in London's modern history.
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AccoladesDue to its iconic status and cultural importance, "London Pride" was included in the English Hymnal, a hymn book widely used in the Church of England, implying its religious and spiritual significance.
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Album Release"London Pride" was also released in Noel Coward's 1953 studio album, "Noël Coward in Las Vegas."
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Citation
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"London Pride Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/17586152/No%C3%ABl+Coward/London+Pride>.
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