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.