They first appeared together in 1959 in The Bluefrets. Early songwriting work was for Dean Ford and the Gaylords (later to become Marmalade). Signed by The Beatles in 1968 to write for Apple Records' Mary Hopkin.
In 1970 they joined Tom McGuinness and Hughie Flint to form McGuinness Flint and penned the hits ''When I'm Dead And Gone'' (which reached No 2 in the UK in 1970) and ''Malt And Barley Blues'' (No 5 in 1971).
In 1972 they formed their own duo and enjoyed UK chart successes in 1976 and 1977 with four hits, including ''I Wanna Stay With You'' and ''Heart On My Sleeve'' both of which reached No 6. They split in 1979.
Gallagher & Lyle compositions have provided hits for Art Garfunkel (Breakaway) and Don Williams (Stay Young) . Graham Lyle later wrote with Terry Britten and their hits included ''What's Love Got To Do With It'' and ''We Don't Need Another Hero'' for Tina Turner and ''Just Good Friends'' for Michael Jackson. Benny Gallagher spent nine years as founding director of Performing Artists Media Rights Association (PAMRA) and also performed in The Manfreds with Paul Jones, Mike D'Arbo, Tom McGuinness and Mike Hugg.
Willie
Gallagher & Lyle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You opened up the door
I was a young man stepping into my life
Stepping out of school
Across the graveyard gates
An educated fool
Oh Willie I could read and write
But your eyes, read the winds and tides
I gained a thousand tales
Of life, of mice, and men
Fumble fingered rolling my own
I learned the graveyard ways
A friend or stranger it didn't change us
We took a heavy spade and laid the soul to rest
And kept a graveyard face
Oh Willie you've always said
A needless tear
Falls on nature's head
Willie your helping hand
Helped to make the man
Oh Willie the circle's turned
Old and young go in different ways
Willie your words and ways
Will cross the graveyard gates
Away away away away
The song "Willie" by Gallagher & Lyle tells a story of a young man who is sheltered and inexperienced, who is introduced to the world by Willie. Willie serves as a mentor to the singer, showing him the ways of the world, and proving to be wise beyond his years. The singer gains knowledge from Willie's teachings, as Willie has an ability to read the winds and tides. The lyrics "Willie my sage my friend, I gained a thousand tales, of life, of mice, and men" show gratitude towards Willie's impact on the singer's life.
The lyric "Fumble fingered rolling my own, I learned the graveyard ways, a friend or stranger it didn't change us, we took a heavy spade and laid the soul to rest, and kept a graveyard face" describes how Willie teaches the singer the ways of laying someone to rest in a cemetery. The line "Oh Willie you've always said a needless tear falls on nature's head" shows how Willie is a wise and comforting presence. Willie's advice and teachings help the singer become a man, and the song ends with the realization that even though he has crossed the graveyard gates, Willie's words and ways will not be forgotten as they will continue to be passed down by those he has impacted.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd been sheltered all of my days
I had lived a very sheltered life so far
You opened up the door
You showed me a new path to follow
I was a young man stepping into my life
I was a young man ready to start living my life
Stepping out of school
Finally leaving the constraints of education
Across the graveyard gates
Venturing into unknown territory, symbolism for death and the afterlife
An educated fool
Despite my education, I was still a bit naive and inexperienced
Oh Willie I could read and write
I had the basic education but lacked the wisdom Willie had
But your eyes, read the winds and tides
Willie had experience and knowledge of the ways of the world beyond what I had learned in books
Willie my sage my friend
Willie was my mentor and wise friend
I gained a thousand tales
I learned a lot from Willie's stories and experiences
Of life, of mice, and men
I learned about life and the world, as well as some of the darker aspects of it.
Fumble fingered rolling my own
Bumbling my way through new experiences and making mistakes in the process
I learned the graveyard ways
I learned how to properly lay someone to rest
A friend or stranger it didn't change us
Death brings people together regardless of who they were before
We took a heavy spade and laid the soul to rest
We respectfully and solemnly carried out our duty to bury the dead
And kept a graveyard face
We showed respect and somberness when dealing with death
Oh Willie you've always said, A needless tear
Willie reminded me that sometimes people cry unnecessarily and it's important to be strong in difficult times
Falls on nature's head
Grief and sadness is a natural part of life
Willie your helping hand
Willie frequently helped me along my journey
Helped to make the man
His guidance helped shape me into the man I'd become
Oh Willie the circle's turned
Life has come full circle and I'm reflective on the journey I've been on
Old and young go in different ways
It's natural for people to grow apart at times
Willie your words and ways
The lessons Willie taught me will stay with me
Will cross the graveyard gates
Even beyond death, Willie's teachings will be remembered and shared
Away away away away
The song fades out with this line, evoking a sense of finality and closure.
Writer(s): Graham Lyle, Benny Gallagher
Contributed by Jordyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-no5nk6pm5r
Love it now as much as I did hundred years ago
@9086011
Brilliant. Seen them in concert three times, Largs and Greenock.
@5chunkypanda5
Bought that album when it first came out and was pleased to get the sheet music free with it !
@daviemcf
Yeah still got that book Brandon....great chords in this song.
@livingstonesjimsommerville6331
Brilliant, bought this in 1970s. Still got the sheet music 🎶🎶🎼🎼
@user-no5nk6pm5r
Paisley Town Hall Dec 1972
Love it to this day 50 plus years on
@Mollgreen
I love this song - bought the original LP decades ago! As for chords, I like the way the final bars are plaintive minors, remembering Willie and the singer's youth, then it goes to a major chord as he steps forward, out on his own, with the foundation laid for his future.