The story behind 'You'll Never Walk Alone'

Anfield is renowned for its atmosphere, especially on European nights, and it owes much of this atmosphere to the song that is played just before games kick off.

Liverpool aren't the only club who use it, however, as Celtic and Borussia Dortmund also play 'You'll Never Walk Alone' before home games. The song was not written specifically for the Reds, but there is a special reason why it is sang so religiously at Anfield. In fact, the song's initials 'YNWA' are inscribed into the Liverpool captain's armband.

The song was composed for a broadway musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein in 1945. In the show, 'You'll Never Walk Alone' is sang to console a character after a suicide.

It got so popular that artists such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Doris Day, Nina Simone and Louis Armstrong covered it and made it their own. It wasn't until 1963 when it became Liverpool's anthem.

A group from Liverpool called Gerry and the Pacemakers made their own version of the song, which reached number one in the charts and had the whole nation singing along - and pre-match at Anfield it was no different.

When the song started falling down the charts, they stopped playing it before games at the stadium, but the Kop themselves reclaimed it and continued to sing it, even recording a version with Pink Floyd.

It became so famous with Liverpool fans that it was finally adopted as an official club anthem, and since the 1960s has accompanied Liverpool's biggest successes - especially their five European Cup wins.

Lyrics of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark

At the end of a storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone

Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone

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