Stand By Me lyrics – what are the words to the classic Ben E King song being performed at the Royal Wedding?
The classic track was sung by a choir as Prince Harry married Meghan Markle at Windsor
STAND By Me is a fitting song for the Royal Wedding - especially since Harry and Meghan have chosen to "honour and protect" one another.
Here's everything you need to know about the classic Ben E King song....
Who is Ben E King?
Ben E King was born Benjamin Earl Nelson in 1938 in North Carolina, US.
He was a soul singer and is best known for his 1961 hit Stand By Me.
The song was later released in 1986 for the film of the same name and it became a number one UK hit in 1987.
He originally was part of a band called the Five Crowns and in 1958 the band's members replaced the original members of the Drifters who were fired by their manager.
King died on April 30, 2015, at the age of 76 due to coronary problems.
He was survived by his wife Betty, to whom he had been married for 51 years, three children and six grandchildren.
What are the lyrics to Stand By Me?
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No I won't be afraid
No I won't be afraid just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling stand by me
Oh, now, now, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No I won't shed a tear just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me
Oh, now, now, stand by me
Oh, stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Darling, darling stand by me
Stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
What are Ben E King's other songs?
King had a total of 29 studio albums over the course of his career.
As part of The Drifters he sang lead vocals on the number one US Hit Save The Last Dance For Me.
In 1960 he began his solo career and achieved his first hit with Spanish Harlem in 1961.
Other notable tracks include There Goes My Baby, Don't Play That Song (You Lied), Amor, Seven Letters and Young Boy Blues.
What is the movie Stand By Me?
The movie Stand By Me was released in 1986 and is a US coming of age tale.
It was directed by Rob Reiner and stars Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell.
The film is about four boys in Oregon who go on a hike and find the dead body of a missing child.
It had an $8 million budget but ended up earning $52,287,414 overall at the box office.