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.
Wish Me Luck
Gracie Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again, you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Cheerio, here I go on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again, you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again, you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Goodbye everybody, I'll do my best for ye
The lyrics to Gracie Fields's song "Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye" are about saying goodbye to loved ones as she embarks on a journey. The lyrics are a heartwarming message to her fans and loved ones, asking them to cheer her on as she sets out to achieve her goals. In the song, she thanks them for their support and asks that they continue to support her from afar. The lyrics are a reminder that even though she is leaving them behind, she will always carry their love and support with her.
Throughout the song, Gracie Fields emphasizes the need for strength and optimism. She asks that her loved ones not cry, but rather cheer her on with a smile. This is an important message because it not only shows her resilience and determination to succeed but also encourages her fans and loved ones to face life's challenges with the same spirit. Gracie Fields's song "Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye" is a captivating reminder that even though we may say goodbye to those we love, their love and support will be with us always.
Line by Line Meaning
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Please wish me success as I depart
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Goodbye, I am leaving now
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Please don't cry, instead, be happy and cheerful
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
Please give me a smile to remember while I am away
In my heart while I'm away
I will keep your smile in my heart while I am away
'Till we meet once again, you and I
Until we meet again
Goodbye everybody, I'll do my best for ye
Goodbye everyone, I will do my best for all of you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY PARR-DAVIES, PHIL PARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Dredd
Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye is sung from the point of view of a soldier farewelling his girlfriend (or wife) as he leaves for the front. The song was intended to encourage women not to make the men feel sadness and grief as they left home (which would depress morale in the trenches) but to give them cheery goodbyes instead.
Storm Warning
What a terrible time in history. But the Brits were tough. I salute you all from that generation. From the US, with admiration.
Steven Parry
This is just magical, Our Gracie singing with our troops ahead of an unknown future. I think this recording above most just shows what a much-loved star she was, and still is today
HighPriestess10
This is a lovely video. I suffer with agoraphobia and on my Facebook page, every time I have to go out somewhere I play this as my signature tune LOL! Everyone loves it! Thank you for enabling me to share it. I would be lost without this as my tag line!! xx
Christopher Denniston
What a generation! We salute you 🙏
Mervyn Carapiet
I was ten 10 years old when I heard this brave song. Thanks for the memory.
Amit Nagar
This song used to be sung at the farewell for 12th graders in St. Xavier's, Delhi, India, circ 1983 and earlier. Memories, memories, memories.
reg d
We owe the brave people of those times
TheStageight
The great Dame Gracie Field. What an icon.
They don't make them like her anymore. These people instead of running away, stood fast & looked danger in the face & never surrendered. Great stuff.
Love you Real
And never give up 🇬🇧 👏