In 1961 she participated in BBC TV's A Song for Europe Contest, the UK qualifying heat for the Eurovision Song Contest. Her entry, "I Will Light a Candle" was placed fourth. Lale Andersen, who recorded the original German version of "Lili Marleen" also entered the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest, although her song only made it to #13. Anne made another attempt at Eurovision in 1963 with "My Continental Love" - and came fourth again.
She also sang and acted in several motion pictures.
In 1990 she was awarded the OBE for her work with the "Not Forgotten Association", a charitable organization for disabled former service personnel from all wars. Anne Shelton died in Hurstmonceux, England in 1994 and was interred in the Brenchley Gardens cemetery in South East London.
Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer
Anne Shelton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
With our one motor gone
We can still carry on
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
What a show, what a fight
Boys, we really hit our target for tonight
Look below, there's our field over there
With our one motor gone
We can still carry on
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
With our full crew on board
And our trust in the Lord
We're comin' in on a wing and a prayer
Anne Shelton's song, Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer, is a poignant tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Allied soldiers during World War II. The lyrics describe a harrowing situation in which the crew of a military plane has lost one of its engines but is determined to complete its mission and return home safely. The phrase "comin' in on a wing and a prayer" is a colloquialism that means to arrive at a destination by the skin of one's teeth or with great difficulty, and it perfectly encapsulates the sense of danger and uncertainty that permeates the song.
The first verse sets the scene for the narrative by describing the plane's precarious predicament. Despite the loss of one of its motors, the crew is still determined to press on and complete their mission. The second verse celebrates the triumph of hitting their target, even as they limp through the air, but the mood is tempered by the realization that they have a long way to go before they are truly safe. The final verse brings a note of hope and faith into the situation, with the crew placing their trust in the Lord as they attempt to make it home "on a wing and a prayer."
Overall, Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer is a testament to the courage and resilience of soldiers who risked their lives to fight for freedom during one of the darkest periods in human history. It is a powerful reminder of the human toll of war and the importance of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
We are landing our plane in a very dangerous and uncertain situation with little hope of success
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
We are relying on divine intervention to help us land safely
With our one motor gone
Despite losing one of our engines during the flight
We can still carry on
We must persevere no matter the obstacles and adversity we face
What a show, what a fight
We have just completed a grueling mission and fought bravely against the enemy
Boys, we really hit our target for tonight
Our mission was a success and we hit our intended target
How we sing as we limp through the air
Despite the danger, we remain determined and hopeful for a safe landing
Look below, there's our field over there
We have located the landing field and are making our approach
With our full crew on board
Everyone who started the mission is still with us and accounted for
And our trust in the Lord
Our faith in a higher power is helping us through this perilous situation
We're comin' in on a wing and a prayer
We are physically and mentally exhausted, but we must keep going
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HAROLD ADAMSON, JIMMY MC HUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@edward6960
What a beautiful Lady she was and a wonderful singer!
@viyhexe131
Venerate the engineers of the B-17, for their work was nothing short of divinely inspired! Through prayer and genius, so many crews were granted safety and victory!
Ave Fectum!
Ave Machina!
Amen
@dogman9223
You find kin in odd places
@brunsi63
my mom was born in 1942 and sang this when she was very small. She was singing this a couple of weeks ago but she couldn't remember the lyrics, thanks for posting!
@andriikolesnyk279
My grandfather was a Soviet pilot. 4 times wounded, on inefficient airplanes he was surely efficient. And finally, we won.
@B3trayedUK
Childhood memories of my mum singing this to me, she was a WAFF based in London during the blitz.
@user-yf8rx9lq8b
Incredibly cool.
@julistarling8382
Good. 😍😊😍😊
@SouthernIowaLady
Discovered this song among my grandfather's nickel-sheet music. One very dear piece.
@julistarling8382
Her version of this is very, very good.
This is close to how I would sing it if I could.
Wow. 😍
Thanks for posting. 😍😊😍