Keith Richards Writes Song “The Watch Has Ended” in Tribute to Pearl Harbor Hero George W. Blake
In a moving and deeply personal artistic gesture, Keith Richards, the legendary guitarist of The Rolling Stones, has written a powerful new song titled “The Watch Has Ended” — a heartfelt tribute to George W. Blake, one of the last surviving heroes of the Pearl Harbor attack. The song, filled with solemn grace and quiet strength, stands as a timeless reminder that courage and sacrifice are never forgotten.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, George W. Blake was a young sailor stationed at Pearl Harbor when the world around him turned into an inferno. Amid smoke, explosions, and chaos, Blake stood firm at his post, refusing to abandon his duty. In those moments of unimaginable horror, when America’s innocence was shattered, a new national spirit was born — forged by those who stood unbroken in the fire. Blake lived to tell that story, carrying the memory of 1,177 fallen brothers for the rest of his life. But more than a survivor, he became a living symbol of endurance, humility, and honor.
Richards, long known for his poetic depth and soulful compositions, was profoundly moved by Blake’s life story. “When I read about George, I didn’t just see a man — I saw an entire generation,” Richards said. “They faced hell and came out with grace. They taught us what strength really looks like.” That sentiment forms the emotional core of “The Watch Has Ended,” which Richards describes as both “a farewell and a flame.”
Musically, the song blends the raw, weathered sound that defines Richards’ guitar with haunting acoustic undertones and subtle orchestration. The melody rises slowly, like a candle burning through the dark — carrying echoes of reflection, loss, and gratitude. His voice, gravelly yet tender, gives the lyrics the weight of lived history: a man of one generation singing to honor another.
The lyrics of “The Watch Has Ended” read almost like a prayer:
“He stood in the fire and never turned away,
Beneath a burning sky he held the line that day.
The ocean remembers, the stars still keep his name,
His watch has ended, but the world’s not the same.”
Through the song, Richards not only honors George W. Blake but the countless unnamed heroes who never made it home. Each verse is a tribute to resilience — to those who gave everything for freedom, and to those who have spent their lives remembering them.
In a statement shared alongside the song, Richards reflected:
“George carried his duty like a torch through the years. His watch may have ended, but his light still guides us. Freedom isn’t free — and people like him remind us why it’s worth fighting for.”
Fans and critics alike have already hailed “The Watch Has Ended” as one of Richards’ most emotionally resonant works in decades. Beyond its melody, the song stands as a living testament — a bridge between past and present, between memory and gratitude.
As America approaches yet another Pearl Harbor anniversary, Keith Richards’ tribute arrives as both an elegy and a promise: that those who stood in the fire will never be forgotten.
“His watch has ended,” Richards writes. “But his spirit still sails beneath the starry skies of America.”
