Grace Darling (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Grace Darling


Cover size =
Caption =
Artist = Strawbs
from Album = Ghosts
A-side =
B-side = "Changes Arrange Us"
Released = Start date|1974|11|1
Format = 7"
Recorded =
Genre = progressive rock
Length = 3:55
Label = A&M
Writer = Dave Cousins
Producer =
Certification =
Last single = "Hold on to Me (The Winter Long)"
(1974)
This single = "Grace Darling"
(1974)
Next single = "Lemon Pie"
(1975)
Misc = Extra tracklisting
Album = Ghosts
Type = studio
prev_track = "You and I (When We Were Young)"
prev_no = 8
this_track = "Grace Darling"
track_no = 9
next_track =
next_no =

"Grace Darling" is a song by English band Strawbs featured on their 1974 album Ghosts. The track was recorded at Charterhouse School, Godalming with keyboard player John Hawken playing the school's organ and a choral accompaniment from the school choir.

Lyrical and musical content

The title derives from the repeated lines "You are my saving grace, darling, I love you" but also refers to the Victorian heroine Grace Darling. The lyrics contain references to storms, lifeboats and other nautical-related items. The song compares the singer's paramour to the famous lighthouse keeper's daughter, expressing gratitude that they are steadfast and have helped him through dark times with their constant love.

The song has a three verse structure with a middle section between verses two and three. An instrumental section is heard at the beginning and end and also preceding the middle section. The predominant instruments are the pipe organ and the choir, giving the song a classical or hymnal feel.

The song was re-recorded in 1975 with a set of French lyrics and entitled "Cherie, Je T'Aime" for release in Canada, to appeal to Strawbs' French Canadian audience.

Release history

B-Side of the single

The B-side track "Changes Arrange Us" is a Rod Coombes composition, which didn't feature on the album. The record label shows the title incorrectly as "Changes Arranges"

The B-side of the 1975 French Canadian release is "Heroine's Theme", the first part of the song "Autumn" from the album "Hero and Heroine". It is composed by keyboard player John Hawken.

Personnel

*Dave Cousins – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
*Dave Lambert – electric guitar
*Chas Cronk – bass guitar
*Rod Coombes – drums
*John Hawken – organ

with

*Charterhouse School choir

References

* [http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/@f/f_grace.htm "Grace Darling" at Strawbsweb]
*Liner notes to A&M CD 540 937-2 "Ghosts"

External links

* [http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/lyrics/alphres.asp#GRACEDARLING Lyrics to "Grace Darling" at Strawbsweb official site]
* [http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/lyrics/alphres.asp#CHANGESARRAGEUS Lyrics to "Changes Arrange Us" at Strawbsweb official site]