Thursday, April 7, 2011

Song For The Innocents

Next month will mark the thirty seventh anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings. Like all moments in history that mark death, whether it be expected or untimely, or as in this case the callous, barbaric murder of thirty three innocent men, women and children (twenty six people in Dublin, seven in Monaghan) May 17, 2011 will not only be a painful reminder for us not directly affected (although my friend was injured and had to have immediate surgery on her hand), but for the people who lost loved ones on that dark day, it will undoubtedly only serve to reopen the wounds that have in most cases never healed.

I was so shocked and distraught following that horror that one week later on Sunday morning, May 26, I wrote these words in my bedsit in Rathmines which would become my protest song against the use of killing machines of any kind.

Living Will Go On

(i)

They say that life's for living
We must live it every day.
Don't talk of hate for others
Be careful what you say.
For love is all around us
Share it each and everyone
Then when we love together
Living will go on.

(ii)

I met an old man yesterday
We walked beside a stream.
He told me how he longed to smile
How freedom was his dream.
So if we walk beside this man
Well, things they can't go wrong.
We'll all join hands together
And living will go on.

(iii)

Child of war lay down your gun
What right have you to kill?
You can't win what you're fighting for
You know you never will.
So forget about destruction
'Cause wars just can't be won,
Together let's try to find lost peace
Then living will go on.


© Ann Brien 2011


Image: Me in 1971.

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT
Posted by Ann Brien at 3:26 PM
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4 comments:

  1. sibiApril 10, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    God one! And thought provoking too!! Keep blogging!!!

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  2. Ann BrienApril 11, 2011 at 5:35 AM

    Thank you so much Sibi for your lovely comment. Words of encouragement are always very welcome! I enjoy writing especially when the topic has been informative for someone or just that they has enjoyed the story. Cheers!!

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  3. Donald SwarbrickApril 12, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    You are underestimated in this world or the powerful words you wrote in that verse would be more widely known. Or perhaps it is you who underestimate yourself and never shared it with the world?
    There is more to you than meets the eye and I am proud to be an acquaintance of yours.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ann BrienApril 13, 2011 at 1:37 AM

    Thanks a mil Donald for your very kind words. It was definitely a case of the latter. I only ever played it for close friends, then once in the Coffee Kitchen, a little venue where folk musicians used to play to a small audience and then one time when my friend entered me in a talent competition in her local pub! I came third but because I was so nervous I didn't even know how many contestants there were so I don't really know how well I did!

    Thanks again Donald for your constant support.

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