I was casting around for something appropriate to sing at our Bull, Blackmore, session this evening. The only song in my repertoire that came close was "Trimdon Grange", so I tried it, but then decided to modify the lyrics accordingly. This is the result, which I happily place into the public domain in the hope that others might find that it expresses the shock that we all feel at the extent of the disaster.

Alan

THE MIGHTY WAVE
Lyric by Alan Francis ( to the tune of "Trimdon Grange")


Oh, let's not think about tomorrow, lest we disappointed be
For our joys they may quickly turn to sorrow, as we all can plainly see
Today we're strong and healthy, but tomorrow may be in our grave
As we all may see from the destruction that was wrought by the mighty wave

It was early one Sunday morning, near the turning of the year
When folks turned to look to seaward, and then ran inland in fear
For the mighty ocean's power turned alike on rich and poor
Ending lives and grinding homes to matchwood as it thundered to the shore

Orphans searching through the wreckage that was once their family home
Widows grieving for their husbands, drowned in chaos, flood and foam
On the beaches of Sri Lanka, and many a place beside
Both fisherman and banker, in their thousands they have died

Now December has left behind it scenes we never will forget
From Indonesia to the coast of Kenya the toll is growing yet
We fool ourselves we are masters of the world on which we dwell
But we are puny, weak and helpless when we face the tsunami's swell

Oh, let's not think about tomorrow, lest we disappointed be
For our joys they may quickly turn to sorrow, as we all can plainly see
Today we're strong and healthy, but tomorrow may be in our grave
As we all may see from the destruction that was wrought by the mighty wave

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Click to play (Trimdon)

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Click to play (Trimdon1)