Sir Cliff Richard (born Harry Rodger Webb, 1940-10-14, in Lucknow, India) m… Read Full Bio ↴Sir Cliff Richard (born Harry Rodger Webb, 1940-10-14, in Lucknow, India) moved as an 8-year-old to the UK, where it would be 10 more years before he and his group The Drifters emerged in the UK charts for the first time with 'Move It'. Cliff was heavily influenced by Elvis, imitating him shamelessly during the first couple of years of his career. Something which he openly admits, and fully acknowledges that without Elvis, he and many others would never have happened. 'Move It' was a classic British Rock 'n' Roll song, peaked at number two, and was followed by a long string of hits like 'Living Doll' and 'Please Don't Tease'. By then The Drifters turned into The Shadows. After 'A Girl Like You' from 1961, the bond between Cliff and The Shadows loosened a bit, and solo singles of Cliff like 'When The Girl In Your Arms Is The Girl In Your Heart' started to appear alongside Cliff & The Shadows singles like 'Do You Wanna Dance'.

'Congratulations' was a global hit as it became a much bigger hit than 'La, La, La', which beat Cliff in the 1968 Eurovision song contest. Shortly after 'Congratulations', which was one of his solo efforts, Cliff recorded his last single with The Shadows. Again in 1973, with 'Power to All Our Friends', he entered the Eurovision song contest--this time reaching 3rd place.

The most sold artist in British Pop history - with over 40 top hits.

Worked with Stock Aitken Waterman in 1989 and the single "I Just Don't Have The Heart".

Sixty appearances at Wembley, plus sellout tour to celebrate 50 years in the business.

First hit: Move It, 1958, first no. 1: Living Doll

As big as he is in the UK, he has only had 3 Top 10 hits in the USA with the biggest still being his breakthrough 1976 single "Devil Woman" which made it all the way to #6.

Has also worked with Elton John, Mark Knopfler, Julian Lennon, Freddie Mercury, Stevie Wonder, Phil Everly, Janet Jackson, Sheila Walsh, Van Morrison, and Olivia Newton-John.

Wild Geese
Cliff Richard Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Look at the golden dawn
See the sunset
On the silver thorn
Just remember
It was all for you and me
High on the ragged hill
He was dying
And he's dying still

Oh my Lord
You were born to set men free

And the mission bells are ringing
As the prisoner finds release
And the love we knew is returning
Like wild geese

And the signal fires are burning
For the everlasting peace
And the love we knew is returning
Like wild geese

Only the closest heart
Could believe that love's
A dying art
After all the
Hungry mouths he fed
Eyes on the gentle one
Looked for the kindness
But they gave him none

Not a sip of wine
Or a crust of bread

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cliff Richard's song Wild Geese speaks about the return of love and freedom likened to the wild geese returning home. The song begins by talking about the beauty of nature with the description of the golden dawn and the silver thorn, which reminds the listener of the majesty of the creator. It then goes on to remind us of the sacrifice that was made by the one on the hill who died to set men free, and the love that was known which is now returning like wild geese. The mission bells are ringing as the prisoner finds release, and the signal fires are burning for everlasting peace.

The second verse talks about the importance of love and the connection to the heart. It states that only those closest to us would understand that love is not a dying art. The song then illustrates the story of a man who went about doing good by feeding hungry mouths, but in his hour of need, he received no kindness or sustenance.

The song's message is quite clear that love will always return, and freedom will be granted to everyone as the wild geese return home. Despite the pain and suffering that may be encountered, there is always hope that things will get better.

Line by Line Meaning

Look at the golden dawn
Observe the beautiful sunrise

See the sunset
Witness the stunning sunset

On the silver thorn
The thorn shimmers like silver

Just remember
Keep in mind

It was all for you and me
The beauty of nature is intended for everyone

High on the ragged hill
At the top of the unpolished mountain

He was dying
Someone was dying at the mountain top

And he's dying still
The person has not yet passed on

Oh my Lord
Exclamation to God

You were born to set men free
God's gift to humankind is freedom

And the mission bells are ringing
The bells in the church are chiming