ACKER BILK ~ STRANGER ON THE SHORE

In December 1960, my parents and I moved from Enfield in Middlesex to Brighton in Sussex, so that my mum could run a small bed and breakfast. This was all incredibly exciting for me, as I was just nine years of age!

In those early years, we often used to go for a walk down to the sea front after dinner had been served to the guests at 6 p.m (I would often help my mum serve the guests). I loved those evening walks so much - and so began my life-long love affair with the sea!

Stranger on the Shore by Acker Bilk was the theme tune of a TV drama series of the same name which was first broadcast by the BBC in 1961. It was filmed in Brighton and included scenes filmed on Brighton beach and also of a house which was opposite a park which we often walked through on those evening walks.

Happy memories of days long, long ago.......

N.B. On 26 May 1962, "Stranger on the Shore" became the first British recording to reach number one on the U.S. 'Billboard Hot 100' where it was issued by Atlantic Records on the Atco label.
Although the original theme tune was an instrumental, the lyrics shown below were added later on, allowing it to be covered by vocal acts. Both Andy Williams and the Drifters recorder their versions of the song. 

I prefer the original instrumentalversion, although I do like the lyrics: I have not been able to find a version of Acker Bilk playing, accompanied by somebody singing the lyrics.... so you will just have to sing along yourself! :-)

Here I stand, watching the tide go out
So all alone and blue
Just dreaming dreams of you

I watched your ship
As it sailed out to sea
Taking all my dreams
And taking all of me

The sighing of the waves
The wailing of the wind
The tears in my eyes burn
Pleading, "My love, return"

Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
Shall I just be a lonely
Stranger on the Shore?

The sighing of the waves
The wailing of the wind
The tears in my eyes burn
Pleading, "My love, return"
Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
Shall I just be a lonely
Stranger on the shore?