He became widely known for his version of "Wind Beneath My Wings" (1982), as well as his own compositions "Durham Town (The Leavin')" (1969) and "I Don't Believe in If Anymore" (1970), his 1970 hit "New World in the Morning" and his 1975 hit "The Last Farewell" (his only single to hit the US Billboard Hot 100, making it to the Top 20).
Whittakers first chart success came in 1969 when "Durham Town (The Leavin')" was his first UK Top 20 hit. In 1970 came two follow-up hits, "I Don't Believe In If Anymore" (Top 10) and "New World In The Morning" (Top 20), and 1971 brought two smaller hit singles "Why" and "Mamy Blue".
Whittaker was absent from the UK singles chart until 1975, when "The Last Farewell" went Top 3, after which it was another eleven years until "Skye Boat Song" returned him to the Top 10 of the singles chart.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Whittaker had success in Germany, with German language songs produced by Nick Munro (unable to speak German at that time, Whittaker sang the songs phonetically). In time he became more fluent in German and sang and was interviewed in German on Danish television in November 2008. Whittaker retired from touring in 2013.
Stranger On the Shore
Roger Whittaker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So all alone and blue
Just dreaming dreams of you
I watched your ship as it sailed out to sea
Taking all my dreams
And taking all of me
The wailing of the wind
The tears in my eyes burn
Pleading, "My love, return"
Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?
The sighing of the waves
The wailing of the wind
The tears in my eyes burn
Pleading, "My love, return"
Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?
The lyrics of Roger Whittaker's "Stranger on the Shore" describe the loneliness and heartbreak of someone watching their loved one leave on a ship, taking with them all of the dream and hope that they had. As the tide ebbs, the singer stands alone and blue, dreaming of the person who has left them behind, taking away all of their dreams and desires with them. The sighing of the waves and wailing of the wind mirror the sadness and despair felt by the singer, with tears in their eyes pleading for their love to return.
The singer contemplates the difficult question of whether they will remain a lonely stranger on the shore, watching as their love sails away without them. The repetition of the lines expressing the pain and sorrow the singer feels emphasizes their despair, conveying just how much they long for their love to return. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of heartbreak and a sense of hopelessness that is relatable to anyone who has ever experienced the pain of lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I stand, watching the tide go out
I am standing here, feeling helpless as I watch the waves recede.
So all alone and blue
I am filled with deep sadness and a profound sense of loneliness.
Just dreaming dreams of you
I am lost in my thoughts, dreaming of you and longing for your return.
I watched your ship as it sailed out to sea
I watched as you left, taking all of my hopes and desires with you.
Taking all my dreams
You left me with nothing but empty dreams and shattered hopes.
And taking all of me
You took away my heart and my very soul, leaving me nothing but a shell of a person.
The sighing of the waves
The sound of the waves is a constant reminder of my pain and sadness.
The wailing of the wind
The howling wind seems to echo the cries of my heart, filled with longing and sorrow.
The tears in my eyes burn
I am consumed with my grief, my eyes burning with unshed tears.
Pleading, "My love, return"
I am begging you to come back to me, to fill the void that you left in my life.
Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
I am questioning why I must endure this pain and suffering, why my heart must continue to ache.
Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?
I am wondering if I will ever find happiness again, or if I will be forever lost and alone on this desolate shore.
Contributed by Samantha F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnfrancis1963
Here I stand
Watching the tide go out
So all alone and blue
Just dreaming dreams of you
I watched your ship
As it sailed out to sea
Taking all my dreams
And taking all of me
The sighing of the waves
The wailing of the wind
The tears in my eyes burn
Pleading, "My love, return"
Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?
Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?
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Songwriters
Bilk, Acker
Published by
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Read more: Andy Williams - Stranger On The Shore Lyrics | MetroLyrics
@LGranthamsHeir
RIP Roger Whittaker. Thanks for all the songs and memories, including this one 🙏
@MsJL72
I love everything Roger sings. His voice is amazing.
@huguy8
This was my wife and I's wedding song 51 years ago. She died just last Saturday. what a sweet, sweet memories
@wendibernhardt9190
So sorry what a great sing what must be great great great memories.
@mystilorefield9739
Roger Whittaker is probably one of the best baratone voices of our time. Taking Aker Bilk's Stranger on the Short and putting it to words. Or maybe others have recorded it before him, but his is the most beautiful of the renditions.
@mikekunz1139
+Mysti Lorefield Don't forget he can whistle pretty well, a dying art.
@sarahcesar5813
Agree no more... Deep but strong voice...
@paulettedains7428
I will Never get tired of listening to this Man's voice!!! I doubt if there will ever be any other as good as he!
@williemolly
I feel the same way. His voice is sweet and true. A beautiful sound. Yes rich and beautiful. I love singing along with him. It happens to be my key. His songs make me happy. His choice of music is wonderful.
@canpat719
Yeah, he has quite the exceptional voice hasn't he?!? And THIS song is like no other of his and it's my all-time favourite as well!!