Clifford T. Ward typified the early 70s bedsitter singer-songwriter with a series of albums that were at best delightful and at worst mawkish. Ward left grammar school before A-levels to work as a clerk, but by 1962 was fronting local beat group Cliff Ward and the Cruisers. The group changed their name to Martin Raynor and the Secrets and made their recording debut for EMI Records in 1965, before recording several more tracks as the Secrets for CBS Records.
In 1967 Ward enrolled at Worcester teacher training college to study English and divinity, after which he taught at Bromsgrove high school. His debut album appeared on disc jockey John Peel's brave-but-doomed Dandelion Records label in 1972. His second album and his first release for Charisma Records, Home Thoughts, proved to be his finest work and gave him wider recognition. Ward constructed each song as a complete story sometimes with great success.
The beautiful "Gaye" became a UK Top 10 hit but surprisingly the stronger "Home Thoughts From Abroad" and the infectious and lyrically excellent "Wherewithal" failed to chart. Mantle Pieces and Escalator contained a similar recipe of more harmless tales like the minor hit "Scullery" with affecting lyrics like; "You're my picture by Picasso, you'd brighten up any gallery'.
Ward's refusal to tour and promote his songs did not help endear the singer to his record company, however, and he switched to the Phonogram Records label for 1975"s No More Rock 'N' Roll. In later years although still recording the occasional album and still reluctant to perform live, Ward received kudos as a songwriter with his material being recorded by artists such as Cliff Richard, Art Garfunkel and Justin Hayward.
He was struck down with multiple sclerosis in 1987 and his health rapidly deteriorated. He managed to record 1991's vinyl-only album Laugh It Off, and friends and colleagues pieced together two more albums of new songs, out-takes and demos to give the ailing Ward some financial assistance. He finally succumbed to pneumonia December 18th 2001.
Home
Clifford T. Ward Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There are no clouds in the sky
People talking outside
An' the traffic going by
The aeroplanes fly
Home is where I'm gonna be
Christmas
I won't let you down
Buy in all the fare
That you think we need
'Cos I'll be comin' home
It's where I'm gonna be
This Christmas
With the kids and you and me
Having all the fun
That we used to share
I'll be there 'cos home is where I'm gonna be.
Tryin', tryin', tryin', tryin'
Hopin', hopin'.
INSTRUMENTAL
I got the ticket for the aeroplane
All I need now is a line from you
Made some money and
I don't feel so stranded
My whole world is lookin' brighter.
Home is where I'm gonna be
This Christmas
All those promises before
This one is for sure
I guess you know the score
Tired of being alone
An' I'll be coming home.
The lyrics of Clifford T. Ward's song Home depict a person who is eager to return home for Christmas. The sunny surroundings and the happy people outside only emphasize his desire to go home where he can reunite with his family and experience the joyous holiday season. The singer is confident that he will make it home as he promises his partner that he will not let her down and he has bought all the necessary fare. For him, home is where he belongs, and it is where he wants to be.
The lyrics also reveal the singer's personal struggles as he expresses his hopes and fears. He is constantly trying and hoping for a brighter future, and he is relieved that he has made some money and believes that his whole world is looking brighter. The singer wants to maintain the promises he has made, not just to his partner, but to himself as well. He is determined to come home, where he feels that he truly belongs.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun is shining brightly
The sun is shining in the sky
There are no clouds in the sky
There are no clouds blocking the sun
People talking outside
I can hear people talking outside
An' the traffic going by
I can hear traffic passing by
The aeroplanes fly
I can hear airplanes flying above
Home is where I'm gonna be
I am going to return home
Christmas
The time of year when I will return home
Take my word an' I'll be there
I promise to return home
I won't let you down
I won't disappoint you by not returning home
Buy in all the fare
I will purchase all necessary transportation
That you think we need
I will buy whatever you think we need
'Cos I'll be comin' home
Because I will be coming home
With the kids and you and me
I will be home with my family
Having all the fun
We will have a fun time together
That we used to share
We will have fun like we used to
I'll be there 'cos home is where I'm gonna be.
I will be there because home is where I am going to be
Tryin', tryin', tryin', tryin'
I have been trying hard
Hopin', hopin'.
I have been hoping for this
INSTRUMENTAL
No lyrics - instrumental section
I got the ticket for the aeroplane
I have purchased my plane ticket
All I need now is a line from you
I need confirmation from you
Made some money and
I have earned some money
I don't feel so stranded
I do not feel as if I am in a hopeless situation
My whole world is lookin' brighter.
Things are starting to look up for me
All those promises before
I have made promises to return home before
This one is for sure
I am certain I will be returning this time
I guess you know the score
You probably know what has happened in the past
Tired of being alone
I am tired of being by myself
An' I'll be coming home.
And I will be returning home
Contributed by Chloe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@joansmith9859
My teacher in Worcester. Wonderful teacher and man. An absolute poet and gentleman. RIP Mr Ward.
@simonandthelyricalpoets
What a lovely memory that must be judging by the beauty of his work.
@barbaradelaney5529
What a blessing to have known him. I just listened to some of his songs and it took me back.
@gfrkiss
You are a very lucky person.
@teresaharbon3121
Beautiful song . Wonderful man 💕💕💕
@carmelbergin1287
Oh how lucky were u. 🤗I would have given anything to meet him. He is so poetic and gentle .
@catherinelynch4194
My dear sister died of MND. The last time she was in my car ,this song came on the radio. She said oh I love this ,turned it up and sang her heart out. Rest in peace my love ❤❤❤❤❤
@jiggermast
God rest his soul.
@jayo646
I hope this song makes you remember all the good times you had with your sister, play it loud, play it often ❤
@mariawildman1299
God rest her soul ❤