~ Father Borelli ~

Father Borelli was a young Italian priest his work for the urchins of Naples never ceased. 'The Scugnizzi' meaning the spinning tops had no place to eat, sleep or go to school. They slept in the gutters and during the day they darted about stealing to survive, they were known to have done many worse things to stay alive. For months the young priest dressed like them and behaved like them to gain their confidence. He found refuge for the boys in a crumbling disused church determined not to leave them in the lurch. Graham Green the author asked Gracie if she would go along and sing to them and she agreed although she felt rather nervous. What could she sing to a bunch of boys and youths hardened to a ruthless fight for existence before they were ten, not love songs, not sad songs, gay songs then. The boys eyed her their faces quite expressionless some noisy others looked furtive. She commenced with a Neapolitan ditty after the second song the boys joined in giving her a happy grin. At the end Gracie said "I was a very poor little girl once and felt like stealing things when I had no money, if we are poor enough we all do. I understand and Father Borelli understands and we want to help you."  The boys crowded around her shyly touching her arm or her dress some shook her hand, although she was not from their own land. Gracie left in a curious mixed-up mood of exhilaration close to tears, thinking of her own life over the years. What had she learned from it all and what counted most? She tried to find the answer as she finished her breakfast with Boris, tea and hot buttered toast. Words brave Father Borelli had said came back to her mind. "Signora Grace you see, with music, laughter, hard work and the love of God you can make everything come right in time." "Boris that's what it is, that's true, I think I've learned it  now." Boris smiled gently, "Gracie didn't you know? You learned all that in Rochdale a long time ago. 

~ Looking Back ~

Boris I am growing old the trials of life nearly done, memories come flooding back to the days when I was young. My mother said that in times of sorrow you can always say your prayers and hope for better things tomorrow. Faith and courage is all we need for ambition to succeed. People say that growing old is not much fun I enjoy a sweet contentment and count my blessings one by one. When I die my grave will be on this beautiful Isle of Capri, here we met and here we will part until the day you follow me. 

~ A Word From Boris ~

Dear Gracie
       I am well acquainted with your rags to riches story, the struggle the ambition and the glory. Your fame spread throughout the land, entertaining the community and by Royal Command. Receiving rousing cheers and the utmost praise, your parting has left an ache that time will never erase. Sweet memories linger it is true, but I do not want memories, I only want you. From early morning until the shadows fall I patiently wait for heaven's call. With no barriers to keep us apart, leaving for ever a song in my heart.

~ Sweet Memories ~

The world is a wonderful place really sublime, my wife helped to make it so in her time. Love expressed for twenty-seven years, on the wings of a song with a charm that endears. Now she has gone life must go on a mixture of laughter and tears. Sweet memories ever flowing like a tidal wave, I count my many blessings for all the pleasure my Gracie gave. 

~ The Promised Land ~

All through the day and the still of the night, I grope my way in the darkness Gracie has turned to the light. When stars appear in the heavens twinkling so merrily the one shining the brightest is winking down at me. Sweet thoughts of a life joined together can never be thrown away in the promised land I will hold her hand for ever and a day.

~ The Funeral ~

Gracie enticed the sun on the dullest day it was shining brightly the morning she passed away, and certainly at it's best when she was laid to rest. Six waiters from her restaurant were pall-bearers wearing black trousers and tee-shirts of dazzling white, as Gracie had grown so frail the coffin was quite light. The mourners were taken to the cemetery at Anacapri by five buses and many more travelled by car, to pay their respects to this worlds mega-star. In a quiet corner where the south wind has blown, there is a simple inscription engraved on a stone. Gracie Fields in Alperovici, 9. 1. 1898 - 27. 9, 1979.

~ A Message From Gracie ~

I was a humble Rochdale lass who swiftly rose to fame I travelled far I travelled wide and became a household name. Proclaimed as the queen of laughter and tears, entertaining, loving and caring for sixty golden years. Folk enjoyed my sense of humour and my songs of sentiment, I could not stay for ever we are only lent. 'Now is the hour' the good Lord said to me, you will sing with the angels in sweet eternity. Please do not mourn at my sudden call when I look down from heaven I'll smile and bless you all.

~ To Gracie~

Now the day is over your life's work is done, greatly admired by everyone. The pride and joy of Britain and lands across the sea, memories of those golden years mean so much to me. You died according to God's will, but your lovely voice is living still. A token of unfailing love, uniting earth and heaven above. Sweet thoughts will never cease bless you Gracie rest in peace.

~ A Heavenly Welcome ~

Pure and sweet out of the blue angel voices come echoing through. Golden harps lilt upon the still air heaven is happy to welcome you there. Songs in your heart are laid to rest music of the soul must be expressed. God given gifts will never expire you were destined to join the holy choir.

~ Farewell ~

You were there and we were there under the roof of a grand theatre, the surprise of the evening what could be better. You sang just one song in a voice still crystal clear, emotion overcame us as we wiped away a tear your farewell performance at eighty years old, Gracie Fields with a heart of gold. You were there and we were there now you are no more, on the Isle of Capri you fell asleep and the world became so poor. 

~ The Sweetest Song of All ~

Sally was Gracie's most famous song wherever she sang it she could not go wrong. To millions all over the world it brought great joy and it was whistled by every errand boy. Having sung it so many times she had grown a little tired but Sally shared her last performance a year before her life expired. Delighting the Queen Mother at a Royal Variety Show, her Majesty and the audience felt an inner glow. Gracie has wandered away from the alley but Sally continues to thrill, on tape and disc recordings she is living still.

~ Grieving For Grace ~

Hearts were heavy spirits low and the tears began to flow on that very sad day that Gracie passed away. When she answered heaven's call her hometown felt it most of all. Hundreds of admirers grieved, in Rochdale she was conceived. Recognised as her rightful place where she was christened Grace.

~ The Stars of Rochdale ~

Stars have twinkled through the night since a bygone age, the stars I love are the stars that shine upon a British stage. Dame Gracie Fields thrilled me to the core, with her famous song Sally and so many more. She was the brightest and the best, sparkling with talent, humour and zest. The day she took her last breath and news spread of her death, sorrow was reflected in hundreds of homes and flags flew at half-mast on the highest domes.

~ The Lamp of Fame ~

The lamp of fame was burning for over sixty years, indestructible with laughter unquenchable with tears. Only once did it flicker during the Second World War when Gracie Fields departed the old familiar shore. She made an amazing comeback which lessened the pain and the lamp was restored to it's brightest again. We wished it would burn forever there is no doubt, but when Dame Gracie died the bright light went out. 

~ Time Stands Still ~

Many homes have a photograph in a frame on which Gracie Fields signed her name. Proudly hanging on the wall treasured and admired by all. As she was she still is today her smile will never fade away. The same twinkling eyes and honest face so very much a part of Grace. In this life she grew old as we all will but in the lens of a camera time stands still.

~ A Scented Scene ~

Sliding down a helter-skelter with a little girl on her lap or holding a baby to protect from the crowd. Offering small boys half-crowns for the guy, her eagerness to please no one could deny. She opened fetes and markets and crowned many a 'May Queen', events were so lively when Gracie was on the scene. I had not met her like before and I never will again, she no longer resides on the Isle of Capri she lives in memory lane.

~ Gracie's Legacy ~

I wish I could sing like Gracie Fields trilling to reach a top note, I am fully aware that no such sound will ever emerge from my throat. She made a song more beautiful than the composers intent, it was a gift from God truly heaven sent. The Lord gives and He takes away, Gracie came to the end of a perfect day. Through the preservation of recordings her voice continues to thrill, I can listen at any time which makes me happier still.


~ The Chapter Will Never Close ~

So many remember that day in September when Gracie passed away, in hundreds of homes her photo is on display. Together with cards and letters such delightful souvenirs giving a taste of the happiness she extended through the years. Death is considered final when everything comes to an end, but it cannot destroy sweet memories of a star who became a friend. Although her pen no longer flows a chapter in stage history will never close.

~ Airs and Graces ~

A sweet scented path memory traces when theatres were full of airs and graces. Gracie Fields, Gracie Allen and Gracie West. Grace Kelly and Grace Moore the stars of yesteryear, so far away yet so near. In the 1930s at the height of their fame, the stage without their presence will never be the same.

~ The Old Stage Door ~

I linger by the old stage door look and long and sigh, it brings a depth of sadness and a tear to the eye. I wait by the old stage door for the stars I will never see, why oh why did they have to die when they meant the world to me. I pass by the old stage door it has an air of sadness too, the magic of the veterans is not recognised by the new.

~ Will There Ever Be Another ~

Gracie Fields set our hearts aglow when she appeared in a show. Her magnetic personality we could not deny, or the merry twinkle in her eye. Sally met with a rousing cheer, Three green Bonnets brought a tear. No matter what song we heard our emotions were deeply stirred. She possessed a certain magic no one else has got, talent humour and compassion Gracie had the lot. Will Rochdale find her like again? Only time can tell, we bowed our heads in sorrow when the final curtain fell.