I've been listening to stories about veteran's experiences on the radio today, and felt inspired to share some songs I've written --thinking about women's experiences, and how they are affected by war. I'm ending with a song of hope -- because these days, I'm feeling very hopeful that the insanity of war can be ended. I'll add that during the Vietnam War I was a peace activist, and went to Vietnam as a USO singer. Peace - Linda Allen www.lindasongs.com Lyr Add: ROSIE, THE RIVETER - REVISITED ©Linda Allen 1984 My strong right arm built the ship, built the ship that sailed to war My strong right arm built the ship, built the ship and what was that all for? In l94l, the war had just begun Jim was so young, but soon was off to hold a gun I was nineteen, our child was only three When the papers said the shipyards needed me I moved to Bremerton in l942 I learned to weld, I was the best one on our crew The work was hard, the heat would burn my lungs all day But when the paycheck came we girls would feel OK In l943, in August, 8AM I'd not been feeling well, my mind was filled with Jim There was a knock, a man in uniform stood there He said my Jim was dead - I hadn't seen him in two years In l945 the war came to an end And on that very day, the big boss he came in He smiled and said, "My girls, the boys are coming home You've earned a rest - go home - your work here now is done" Picked up a scrap of metal, and I carved my name full bore So my child would know I was a welder in the war No place to go, I was a widow with a child So I waitressed and I cooked, and I married in a while Sometimes I see that scrap with my name carved in so deep And I recall the day the boss told me to leave How I felt like some old rag they'd tossed aside As useless as my patriotic pride My strong right arm built the ship, built the ship that sailed to war My strong right arm built the ship, built the ship And what was that all for? LA This song is on my recording, "Women's Work". You can hear the song from that CD/album at my web site, www.lindasongs.com. Lyr ADD: A SMALL VASE OF FLOWERS Linda Allen ©1991 Linda Allen A small vase of flowers, the sun through the window Walls of white plaster, a small picture frame Still I can see it - my mind's eye can see it My harbor, my center, my family, my name How fragile a thing is a small vase of flowers Walls of white plaster, how quickly they fall Pictures will crumble and burn in a whisper My home and my life can mean nothing at all High in the heavens a young man was watching His eyes on a target his soul could not see His mind on an enemy - faceless and nameless His hands pushed the trigger - the target was me I wander the streets of this city I once loved I search through the rubble which once was my home I search for my neighbors, my children, my life But nothing is left, not a stone stands on stone How fragile a thing is a small vase of flowers How luscious my garden, how sweet was the fruit But the bombs fell like rain 'til the screams turned to silence And I stand here weeping, a tree without roots A small vase of flowers, the sun through the window Walls of white plaster, a small picture frame Still I can see it, my mind's eye can see it My harbor, my center, my family, my name LA I was inspired by a poem I read -- I believe it was about a woman in Italy during WWII. This is from my CD, "The Long Way Home". You can hear it on I-Tunes. Lyr ADD: WHERE I STAND Linda Allen ©2002 Linda Allen Woman standing in the rain on a cold October day In her hand there was a sign, It said, There Must Be A Better Way. By her side her child asked why Do you do the things you do? Once, you know, I did it for me, Now I'm doing it for you So you will know where I stand You will know who I am You will know where I stand If it all falls down Grey were the stones of the courthouse steps and grey was the autumn sky Grey were the faces of the passing people looking down as they walked by Black and white was the news that morning in a world about to die. Red as blood was the sign above, and the child again asked, "Why?" CHORUS Used to be I believed I could change some hearts with a hand-made sign Now I know I gotta keep on so that others won't change mine. Sometimes things have to fall apart to make way for something new Hold a sign, hold a vision 'cause I'm leavin' it up to you. CHORUS LA This song is from my CD, "Where I Stand". You can hear this song, also, on my website, www.lindasongs.com. Lyr Add: I BELIEVE Linda Allen ©2003 Linda Allen I believe that peace will come I believe that peace will come I believe that peace will come I believe that peace will come I believe that hope survives I believe that hope survives I believe that hope survives I believe that hope survives I believe that love will rise I believe that love will rise I believe that love will rise I believe that love will rise I believe in humankind I believe in humankind I believe in humankind I believe in humankind I believe that peace will come I believe that peace will come I believe that peace will come I believe that peace will come LA This one isn't on my web site, but is available on I-tunes for download, as are the two previous ones. This one has also be found on Tom Rawson'g recording.
|