The lyrics are shown, so there is no excuse for not singing along. We all need to look on the bright side!
Tag: death
A Simple Song
‘A simple song’ is a debut song by Khalid Abdalla. It is dedicated to the children of Palestine, past, present and future. And to all children of genocide. Khalid says the song came to him when, ‘in the middle of an ongoing genocide, Trump and Netanyahu proposed ethnically cleansing Gaza and turning it into a Riviera’. It was first released on his social media and received over half a million views in 24 hours. Khalid is a multidisciplinary artist, known as an actor for his roles in The Crown and The Kite Runner, amongst others, and for his commitment to breaking silence on Palestine.
Written by Khalid Abdalla Produced by Martin Terefe and Dave Okumu Recorded by Liam Larking, Oskar Winberg and George Murphy at Eastcote Studios, London. Assisted by Ed Clay. Mixed by Martin Terefe and George Murphy Khalid Abdalla – Vocals and Piano Dave Okumu – Electric Guitar Martin Terefe – Wurlitzer and Electronics Nikolaj Torp Larsen – Accordion Dan See – Drums Backing vocals by: Jodie Shanahan, Siobhan Elouise; Shamime Ibrahim, Suzanne Ghadban, Bryant Akanmu Mastered by Dyre Gormsen at Eastcote Mastering Recording administration by Annie Benson
Music Video Credits Directed by Khalid Abdalla with Led by Donkeys Bournemouth Beach footage courtesy of Led by Donkeys Studio Footage Director Jamie Isbell, DOP Johnny Ho, with JAM+Post Edited by Milan Mezei
Just Listen
Listen to the leaders
ruling, fooling
claiming, blaming
listen to the leaders
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Listen to the mothers
caring, sharing
minding, binding
Listen to the mothers
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Listen to the children
pleading, needing,
crying, dying
listen to the children
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Just listen!
A Devil of a Day
The day before I died I tried, I really tried atonement
But God had plans and clearly said “For you, it’s clear – disownment!”
Not one to mess about too long I bargained with the Devil
Who knew? He’s quite a decent chap whose given name is Neville
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We talked all night of many things until the sun was rising
He really knew his stuff which I, for one, found quite surprising
We ate a hearty breakfast and continued with our stories
Wondering who would win the polls and hoping Not the Tories
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We ate and drank and walked and sat and met his family
And as the day progressed he said “Let’s have a special tea”
The sun was setting slowly as we dined amongst the sheep
I thanked him kindly, shook his hand, and drifted off to sleep!
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Sunset
Over on GC and Sue W’s Weekly Prompts site, the Wednesday Challenge is the word Sunset. I don’t often take part in this challenge but I knew immediately what had to be entered for this one as tomorrow is the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944.
“Sunset”, also known as the “Retreat Call”, is a bugle call played in United Kingdom and British Commonwealth countries to signal the end of the official military day.
The Last Remembrance 2023
I share this again because it matters to me. It did then, it does now, it always will. Many will have commented on this in previous years. Please do not feel obliged to comment again, but if you do feel the urge then a simple “Always Remember” will be very welcome. Thank you.
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Chris decided long ago that he could no longer endure the Ceremony of Remembrance parades and services. It was too much for him. He knew that he would break down and weep copious tears, sobbing at all of the memories that he could not set aside. He could never forget!
Instead, each year, he went on his normal morning walk and found a quiet spot, apart from all human presence, and there he would remember his friends, and his enemies. Not all had died young, not all had died in battle. Some had not died, at least not straight away.
He remembered two young men. They had all just returned to camp after manoeuvres and were told they could not go home until all the vehicles had been cleaned and put away. One young man was newly married with a two-week-old baby. He persuaded his friend to take him home in his car. It wouldn’t take long, and they could be back before anybody noticed they were missing. The car was sporty, high-powered, and had a roll bar fitted. The young driver entered a bend far too fast, lost control, and rolled the car. It hit a tree. The roll bar saved the life of the driver but decapitated the young father.
He remembered two young Corporals, erecting an aerial mast on top of a vehicle in Germany, right underneath a very high voltage cable. One walked away with very serious burns, the other had horrendous burns and lost a leg and large portions of muscle mass. Chris had the job of taking inventory of the burned vehicle and its contents and then visiting the worst injured once he left the hospital to tell him that he no longer had a job but there was good news, his promotion to Sergeant had come through!
He remembered a young man who shot himself in the chest but survived, only to shoot himself in the head once he was back at work.
He remembered running for his life, literally, when it seemed that everyone wanted him dead when all around him were falling, screaming, dying. He would not forget!
He stood as usual, at 11am, at attention, alone. He remembered. How could he do anything else?
After two minutes of silence, of remembering, of trying to forget, he saluted, fell, and joined his comrades!
You’re Just Like Your Father – Death in 100 words
I died today.
A perfect death, sitting in the garden; admiring the flowers; watching the birds; soaking up the sun. Except I wasn’t!
Being a gardener, the minute I sat down I spotted several weeds that needed immediate attention, and some deadheading that could not wait. So, I got up. Not in a leisurely manner, but quickly, already striding off to the first urgent task.
I never made it!
I’m dreading when Erica gets home. She’s always telling me not to dash about; “Take your time. There’s plenty to spare”, she says. Only this time, there wasn’t.
She’ll kill me!
Johnny Cash – Hurt
Johnny Cash February 26 1932 – September 12 2003
Today is 20 years since Johnny Cash died.
He was one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. His genre-spanning music embraced country, rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel sounds. This crossover appeal earned him the rare honour of being inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame. His music career was dramatized in the 2005 biopic Walk the Line, in which Cash was portrayed by American film actor Joaquin Phoenix.
One of his most notable covers was “Hurt” originally by Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails’s Trent Reznor wrote this song about a younger man whose life was spiralling out of control. However, Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt” was said to shine a new light, and new honesty on the song – and it has been known to reduce some to tears. His version tells the story of an old man reflecting on his life. The old man looks back with painful remorse but knows nothing can be changed about it. The final closing of the piano lid is believed to signify Johnny’s acceptance of the close of his career and of his life.
Much has been written about this performance and it is considered, by many, to be the best cover version of any song ever made.
This was recorded in 2002. Johnny’s wife, June, died three months after the video was shot. Less than four months later Johnny followed her.
If you wish to be reminded of their love, and work together, here is Johnny, with his wife, June Carter Cash, singing Jackson:
RIP Anthony Dominick Benedetto
Tony Bennett singing “Because of You” as a duet with k d lang in 2015. Tony, who died today at the age of 96, continued to record, tour, and perform up until August 2021. What a singer, what a man!
Dis Solution May Just Work!
This is in response to Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt #307 where the given word is DISSOLUTION, and the word count is 81.
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Dead bodies don’t just simply disappear.
I pondered long and hard how to get rid of Boris!
Supposing I fed him to the pigs?
Super disposal services they provide,
Only they leave behind teeth and hair.
Let’s face it, with that inane grin, and
Unruly mop, that could be a problem!
The hair could be offered for nest building.
I’m sure, at this time of year, it would soon go.
Only the teeth then!
Now there’s a problem to chew over!
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Dissolution – the action of formally ending or dismissing an assembly, partnership, or official body.
Peter's pondering 
