THE HOLIDAY OF THE FIRST BELL

The music played, as parents stood, the children they marched in
With flowers to give to teachers, the school year to begin
A speech and dancing all were planned a day they would remember
The "Holiday of the first Bell", on the first day of September

Then came the uninvited, with guns and bombs in store
They herded them into the school, all crowded on the floor
Some tried to flee, but were shot down, as screams they filled the air
Babies cried and children begged, but their captors didn't care

In days and nights they passed the time, in sickness fear and pain
Explosions next, so many more would never see their homes again
The guns screamed out and bullets ripped into the bodies young and old
A few escaped into the streets "the rest will die" they told

Then troops stormed in, to try and save the few that were not dead
With helping hands and tear filled eyes, they into the streets were led
When made secure, the time then came to count the cost in all
Of women children and the men who in total there did fall

New shoes and books of learning lay scattered on the floor
They asked us for so little, we should have given more
A chance to see the future, to laugh and sing and play
But assassins came, and took young lives upon that bloody day

There is no cause, no reason, no one can justify
Or can explain the reasons why so many had to die
By torturing the children what did they seek to gain?
The injured and the grieving, all suffered with the slain

What thoughts were going round your head, what doctrines what lies?
As you looked down and into, those young and frightened eyes
Did you think you'd be remembered as brave and strong and right?
For slaughtering young children and those that could not fight