Why 'You'll Never Walk Alone' is Liverpool's anthem and the lyrics to icon song

The Reds supporters sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' with the song now arguably the most iconic in footballing history.

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The lyrics are even part of the club's badge and are included on almost all merchandise, including the scarves held aloft by fans.

Why is 'You'll Never Walk Alone' Liverpool's anthem?

Originally, the song was part of a Broadway performance called 'The Rodgers and Hammerstein Show' in 1945.

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It became an instant hit at the time due to its emotional connection to World War Two and this led to many covers being recorded.

The most successful of those was by Merseyside band Gerry and The Pacemakers in 1963, with the cover reaching number one in the UK charts.

It is widely reported that the lead singer of the band, Gerry Marsden, presented their song to Liverpool manager Bill Shankly during a pre-season trip.

Former Reds player Tommy Smith later claimed that Shankly was 'in awe of what he heard' and the media on the trip reported back that it was the new club song.

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In 1965, iconic Liverpool boss Shankly appeared on the radio show 'Desert Island Discs' which included a guest picking discs they would take with them to a desert island.

His appearance was a day before the FA Cup final and he would pick 'You'll Never Walk Alone' as one of his discs, with the song then being sung in the stands.

This was the first time there was TV footage of the Reds fans singing the anthem and it became an instant hit with supporters.

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Ever since, it has been sung before each game and has become one of the most iconic anthems in the footballing world.

What are the lyrics?

When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high

And don't be afraid of the dark

At the end of the 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

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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

You'll never walk alone