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.
If I Were a Blackbird
Anne Shelton Lyrics
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I'd whistle and sing
And I'd follow the ship that my true love sails in
And on the top riggings, I'd there build my nest
And I'd pillow my head on his lily white breast
I am a young maiden and my story is sad
For once I was courted by a brave sailor lad
But now my dear sailor is gone far away
If I was a blackbird
He promised to take me to Donnybrook fair
To buy me red ribbons to tie up my hair
And when he'd return from the ocean so wide
He'd take me and make me his own loving bride
If I was a blackbird
His parents they slight me and will not agree
That I and my sailor boy married should be
But when he comes home I will greet him with joy
And I'll take to my bosom my dear sailor boy.
The song "If I Were a Blackbird" by Anne Shelton is about a woman who is deeply in love with a sailor who courted her but had to go away. The song starts with a hypothetical situation - if the woman was a blackbird, she would whistle and sing, follow the ship that her true love sails in, and build her nest on the top riggings, and she'd rest on her lover's breast. The song then moves to the story of the maiden, who laments that her sailor lover has gone away, leaving her alone to face many challenges. He promised to take her to Donnybrook fair, buy her red ribbons to tie up her hair, and make her his loving bride when he returns from the ocean. However, the sailor boy's parents don't approve of their son marrying the young maiden, leaving her in a state of despair.
Musically, the song is a traditional Scottish folk ballad and is typically sung in a slow, mournful tempo. The lyrics are indicative of an old European tradition, prevalent in many cultures, where the blackbird is used as poetic imagery to convey the message of love and longing. The blackbird in the song symbolizes the woman's strong desire to be close to her lover, and the image of the bird building a nest on the top riggings is a metaphor for the woman's longing for intimacy with her beloved.
The song is a poignant tale of unfulfilled love and longing, capturing the essence of the human heart, which always craves the love and companionship of another. It is a beautiful ballad that has stood the test of time, resonating with audiences for generations, and will continue to do so in the years to come.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were a blackbird,
If I could transform into a blackbird,
I'd whistle and sing
I would make beautiful sounds and melodies,
And I'd follow the ship that my true love sails in
I'd fly after the boat that my lover is traveling in,
And on the top riggings, I'd there build my nest
I'd construct my nest on the highest part of the ship's rigging,
And I'd pillow my head on his lily white breast
I'd rest my head on his white chest,
I am a young maiden and my story is sad
I am a young woman with a mournful tale to tell,
For once I was courted by a brave sailor lad
I was once romanced by a daring sailor boy,
He courted me strongly by night and by day
He pursued me with great fervor around the clock,
But now my dear sailor is gone far away
But now my beloved is far off at sea,
He promised to take me to Donnybrook fair
He pledged to bring me to the Donnybrook festival,
To buy me red ribbons to tie up my hair
To purchase crimson ribbons to adorn my locks,
And when he'd return from the ocean so wide
And upon his arrival from the vast sea,
He'd take me and make me his own loving bride
He'd take me as his affectionate wife,
His parents they slight me and will not agree
His parents dislike me and don't want us to marry,
That I and my sailor boy married should be
They disapprove of our union,
But when he comes home I will greet him with joy
But when he returns home, I will welcome him ecstatically,
And I'll take to my bosom my dear sailor boy.
And I will embrace my beloved sailor tenderly.
Writer(s): Delia Murphy
Contributed by Ruby S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.