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.
Lay Down Your Arms
Anne Shelton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
March at the double, down lover's lane
Then in the glen where the roses entwine
Lay down your arms (Lay down your arms)
Lay down your arms and surrender to mine
My sweetheart is a soldier, as handsome as can be
But suddenly they sent him, away across the sea
Then wrote and said My darling, I'll tell you what to do
Come to the station, jump from the train
March at the double, down lover's lane
Then in the glen where the roses entwine
Lay down your arms (Lay down your arms)
Lay down your arms and surrender to mine
A soldier is a soldier, and when he's on parade
An order is an order, and has to be obeyed
You've got to do your duty, wherever you may be
And now you're under orders, to hurry home to me
Come to the station, jump from the train
March at the double, down lover's lane
Then in the glen where the roses entwine
Lay down your arms (Lay down your arms)
Lay down your arms and surrender to mine
The girl who loves a soldier, is either sad or gay
'Cos first of all he's with her, and then he's far away
But soldiers have their duty, to answer to the call
And that is why I'm calling, the loudest of them all
Come to the station, jump from the train
March at the double, down lover's lane
Then in the glen where the roses entwine
Lay down your arms (Lay down your arms)
Lay down your arms and surrender to mine
Lay down your arms and surrender to mine
Lay down your arms and surrender to mine
The lyrics to Anne Shelton's song "Lay Down Your Arms" tell the story of a young woman in love with a soldier who has been sent away across the sea. Patiently waiting for his return, she instructs him to jump from the train at the station, march down lover's lane, and in the glen where the roses entwine, lay down his arms and surrender to her. The lyrics acknowledge the duty of a soldier to obey orders and answer the call, but also highlight the struggle of those who love someone in the military and are constantly torn between their love and duty.
The first verse of the song describes the journey the soldier must take to reach his love. The imagery of the train and the march down lover's lane create a sense of urgency and excitement. The glen where the roses entwine symbolizes the romantic setting where the two lovers will finally be reunited. The chorus repeats the phrase "lay down your arms" as a plea from the young woman to her soldier-lover to surrender to her and their love.
The second and third verses focus on the soldier and his duty. Despite the fact that he is under orders to return home, he still must do his duty as a soldier. The young woman recognizes this fact and implores him to "lay down his arms" and surrender to her, even just for a little while.
Overall, the lyrics to "Lay Down Your Arms" convey a message of hope and love in the midst of the struggles of war and duty. The song highlights the sacrifices made by those in the military and their loved ones who must wait for their safe return.
Line by Line Meaning
Come to the station, jump from the train
Meet me at the station and jump off the train
March at the double, down lover's lane
Hurry quickly down the path with me
Then in the glen where the roses entwine
Go with me to the valley where the roses grow
Lay down your arms (Lay down your arms)
Put down your weapons
Lay down your arms and surrender to mine
Surrender to my embrace and love
My sweetheart is a soldier, as handsome as can be
My beloved is a soldier, very attractive
But suddenly they sent him, away across the sea
Suddenly he was deployed overseas
So patiently I waited, until his leave was due
I waited patiently until he could come home on leave
Then wrote and said My darling, I'll tell you what to do
I sent him a letter and told him what to do
A soldier is a soldier, and when he's on parade
A soldier is always a soldier, even when not fighting
An order is an order, and has to be obeyed
Orders must always be followed
You've got to do your duty, wherever you may be
Soldiers must fulfill their duty no matter where they are
And now you're under orders, to hurry home to me
You have received orders to come home to me
The girl who loves a soldier, is either sad or gay
The woman who loves a soldier is either sad or happy
Cos first of all he's with her, and then he's far away
Because first he is with her, and then he goes far away
But soldiers have their duty, to answer to the call
Soldiers have a responsibility to answer the call of duty
And that is why I'm calling, the loudest of them all
That's why I'm calling out to him the loudest of all
Lay down your arms and surrender to mine
Surrender to my embrace and love
Lay down your arms and surrender to mine
Surrender to my embrace and love
Lay down your arms and surrender to mine
Surrender to my embrace and love
Contributed by Peyton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rubyhenderson6928
This song was banned....it was said to encourage young men to avoid call up to the Armed Forces ! It still managed to get to the top of Hit Parade ! 🤗
@tryton111
I can believe it!
@davidhorn6008
It was only banned by the insignificant BBC and then only a short period. The ban was lifted by popular demand. The post war era was one when people thought for themselves for a few years.
@ianstrange5674
Wonderful voice.🙂
@mightyquinnproductions8672
Great voice and Great song.
@tryton111
Great comment.
@philipnorris6542
I have never been a soldier; if I had, this is one order that I would have been 100% happy to DISobey---in the words of another great hit song: "I'll be a bachelor boy until my dying day".
@tryton111
Linking Anne Shelton with Cliff Richard. Nice!
@mjamesthomasb
@tryton111 😂
@ianhall-dixon9021
Childhood memories stirred by this song