The Long and Winding Road.

Next week marks the 50th Anniversary of the release of the 12th and final Beatles Album ‘ Let it Be ‘ which featured one of my favourite ever songs ‘ The Long and Winding Road ‘ the 20th and final number one Beatles single. The Group from Liverpool had broken up for good one month earlier in April 1970.

The song though written by Paul McCartney was credited as a Lennon and McCartney song. Paul was inspired to write the song by the long winding road up to his High Park Farm in Campbeltown Scotland that stretched up into the hills. Paul admitted that it was a sad song and it’s lyrics reflected the anguish which he experienced at a time that the Beatles were splitting up and it possesses a nostalgic look back at their time together.

The song saddened me the first time I heard it 50 years ago and even today it wrings out nostalgia. For me life is a long winding road and today I’m a lot further up that road than when I first heard the song. The Life road takes many turns, it is not a road that we walk back on but a road that we can look back upon. The twists and turns of the road ahead are unknown and at some point we reach the exit door of that long and winding road.

We know who laid our life road and we know who guides up that road it’s steep bends and unknown turns. We are called to travel that road often it seems on our own but He never leaves us or forsakes us and whatever happens on the road, day and night He’s a lamp unto our feet. For those struggling on the road at this difficult time rest and take a look back, you’ve come this far and you can go on, you are not alone for He will lead you to your door.

I once met Paul McCartney in St Johns Wood London and though alone I spoke with him only briefly I forgot to thank him for the comfort his lyrics in this and other songs brought to me and so many. The song was recorded at Abbey Road Studios just around the corner from where we both lived. Do listen to the song and I wish you every blessing on your long and winding road.