Born over a fish and chip shop owned by her grandmother in Molesworth Street, Rochdale, Lancashire, she made her first stage appearance as a child in 1905. Her two sisters, Edith and Betty, and brother, Tommy, all went on to appear on stage, but Gracie was the most successful. Her professional debut in variety took place at the Rochdale Hippodrome theatre in 1910 and she soon gave up her job in the local cotton mill.
She met comedian Archie Pitt and they began working together. Pitt would come to serve as her manager and the two married in 1923. Their first revue in 1915 was called Yes I think so and the two continued to tour Britain together until 1922 in the revue Mr Tower of London.
Her most famous song, which became her theme, "Sally," was worked into the title of her first cinema film, Sally in Our Alley (1931), which was a major box office hit. She went on to make several films initially in Britain and later in the United States (for which she was paid a record fee of US$200,000 for four films), despite never performing without a live audience.
Ironically, the final few lines of the song 'Sally' were written by her husband's mistress, and Gracie sang this song at nearly every performance she made from 1931 onwards.
Walter Walter
Gracie Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But he's never asked me to wed
When Leap Year comes round I give three hearty cheers
Hip-hip-hooray, hip-hip-hooray, hip-hip-hooray
As I do the askin' instead
I don't want to die an old maid
So I sing him this serenade: Walter-er, Walter, lead me to the altar
I'll make a better man of you
And we'll build a love nest for two
My bottom drawer's all packed and ready
My bridal gown's as good as new
Walter, Walter, lead me to the altar
And make all me nightmares come true
Walter, Walter, lead me to the altar
I don't cost much to keep in food
Walter-er, Walter, mother says you oughta
So take me while she's in the mood
You know I'm very fond of chickens
We'll raise a lovely little brood
Walter, Walter, lead me to the altar
And I'll show you where I'm tattooed
Walter, Walter, lead me to the altar
Don't say I've met me Waterloo
Walter, Walter, tears are tasting salter
And I've lost me handkerchief too
Don't muck the goods about no longer
My old age pension's nearly due
Walter, Walter, lead me to the altar
It's either the workhouse or you...
Oh dear, it is an all, it is an all
I'm gettin' older every day
The song "Walter Walter" by Gracie Fields is a humorous take on a woman's plea to her long-time boyfriend Walter to marry her. The singer has been courting Walter for years but he has never asked her to wed. As Leap Year comes around, the tradition of women proposing to men on the extra day of February inspires her to take matters into her own hands. She sings a serenade to Walter, asking him to lead her to the altar and make her dreams of marriage come true.
The lyrics are filled with witty references and jokes, as the singer tries to appeal to Walter by promising to make a better man of him, creating a love nest for two, and showing him where she's tattooed. She even mentions her mother's encouragement and fascination with chickens, making light of the pressure from family and societal expectations.
Overall, the song is an entertaining commentary on the struggles of marriage proposals and gender roles in relationships. The singer's persistence and humor make her a likable character, while the uncertainty of Walter's response adds to the tension and comedic relief.
Line by Line Meaning
Walter and me, we've been courtin' for years
I've been in a long-term relationship with Walter
But he's never asked me to wed
He hasn't proposed yet
When Leap Year comes round I give three hearty cheers
I'm excited about the possibility of proposing to him during a Leap Year
Hip-hip-hooray, hip-hip-hooray, hip-hip-hooray
I express my excitement with cheers
As I do the askin' instead
I plan on proposing to him
I don't want to die an old maid
I don't want to remain unmarried forever
So I sing him this serenade: Walter-er, Walter, lead me to the altar
I express my desire for him to marry me in this song
I'll make a better man of you
I can improve his life as his wife
Walter, Walter, buy the bricks and mortar
We should build a home together
And we'll build a love nest for two
We will build a home for us to start our life together
My bottom drawer's all packed and ready
I have my belongings organized and ready to move in
My bridal gown's as good as new
I have a wedding dress ready to wear
And make all me nightmares come true
Marrying him would make me the happiest
I don't cost much to keep in food
I am not a costly wife to have
Mother says you oughta
My mother approves of us getting married
So take me while she's in the mood
We should get married now while my mother still approves
We'll raise a lovely little brood
We can start a happy family together
And I'll show you where I'm tattooed
I'm willing to share everything about myself with you
Don't say I've met me Waterloo
Please don't reject me and break my heart
Walter, Walter, tears are tasting salter
I'm crying because I am afraid of losing you
And I've lost me handkerchief too
I am feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed
Don't muck the goods about no longer
Please don't play with my feelings anymore
My old age pension's nearly due
I'm running out of time to get married
It's either the workhouse or you...
If I don't get married soon, I'll end up in the workhouse
Oh dear, it is an all, it is an all
I'm sad and disappointed that he hasn't proposed yet
I'm gettin' older every day
I'm worried about my age and remaining unmarried
Writer(s): Harper, Haines, Farrester
Contributed by Nathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
carol King
Wasn’t she just wonderful. Bless her heart. Thanks for posting this.
Missy daughter of YAHUAH%YAHUSHA
She is amazing. Are you the real Carole King? If so you are amazing as well.
carol King
@Missy daughter of YAHUAH%YAHUSHA unfortunately not. I’m just ordinary 🥰
Missy daughter of YAHUAH%YAHUSHA
@carol King thanks for getting back. You are sweet. I love Carol King, too. I’ve been watching a lot of movies with Our Gracie in them. She was amazing as could be. My sister and I both write and sing songs, but we’re very old-fashioned as far as music goes.
carol King
@Missy daughter of YAHUAH%YAHUSHA my favourites are Holy Matrimony - she doesn’t sing in it but I love it. Molly and me is great too. Thanks for reminding me . Time I rewatched them. You must both be very talented. 🥰
Missy daughter of YAHUAH%YAHUSHA
@carol King well, we used to do it, but when all of this computer stuff started, it was very discouraging to see the bad talent, and I’ve known people who got caught up in drugs and too much stuff. It just seemed like fame wasn’t important when I had kids to raise. I absolutely love Matromony. That was so touching. The one from 39 is very moving. Believe it or not, we’re both in our forties. We just hate this horrible stuff they’re trying to pass off as music now. No one wants to work hard at their craft. Back then, you had to be good. What a range and whistle she had! I don’t think she gets the credit for being instrumental in the war effort.
Stutty Northam
Genuinely superb voice, especially here.
handyandyradio
This song was used in the horror film "YELLOWBRICKROAD"! Excellent movie!
Walter Bergold
Born in 1949 in Astoria, Queens NY. The adults use to sing this to me and I just heard it recently. Love it.Thank you Walter.
bluewingtip
Oh my gosh, I looked for this about three days ago and couldn't find it---- and now it's here! Thanks.