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Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook
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Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 11 Oct 23 - 06:51 AM Here is the first song of two, that Aussie singer-songwriter, Noel Gardner, wrote regarding the Referendum issues : HISTORY IS CALLING OUT ~ Noel Gardner (7th Sept 2023) Now, for sixty five times ….. thousands of years The Dreaming has sung up this land, through respect, love and tears In tune with mother nature .… rivers, sky, trees and sand Only taking, what was needed, just leaving, footprints on the land When those, cloud-like white sails ……… appeared upon the shore A flag was planted on a lie, land never, ceded in law And from a false proclamation …… lives were torn apart Language, culture, children, ripped from parent’s hearts History, is calling out, across this Southern land It’s time for a reckoning, on which side will you stand Will you stand for justice, and to walk, side by side A new path is beckoning, to correct what was denied For two hundred, and more years ……..with a system stacked one way The cover ups continue, with land still stolen today The jails are overflowing ………. as disadvantage grabs a hold Family ties and separations, interventions take their toll Programs designed for reasons ……… as per, white fella’s way Black knowledge is ignored, so money flows, just one way Ignorance of culture ……. and deep meaning of this land Are cast aside for profit with no Voice to make a stand History is calling out, across this Southern land It’s time for a reckoning, on which side will you stand Will you stand for justice, division, lies or hate A new path is beckoning, which way will you relate No farming recognition …… grains or with fish traps Were included in the history books …. excluded were the facts The culture and the frontier wars ……. are yet to be told With a Voice unlocking stories and truth telling to unfold So will you grasp this history ………. are you up for the task A dialogue from Uluru, A Statement From The Heart History is calling out, across this Southern land It’s time for a reckoning, on which side will you stand Will you stand for justice, and to walk, side by side A new path is beckoning, to correct what was denied Will you stand for justice, or division, lies and hate Will you stand for justice, and to walk, side by side ***** This is the link to a first performance of this song, on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQlNB753-HU "Oct 11, 2023 This Song was inspired after listening to Indigenous Elders from Cherbourg explaining the benefits that The Voice would provide to their Community. They talked about how funding had been taken away from their community-run Night Patrol and given to some corporation. They weren't able to find out who it was or why, but A Voice would allow them to have their questions answered." Cheers, R-J |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 21 Oct 23 - 08:26 PM Here is another song regarding the recent Referendum. No, not too late. It's from Torres Strait singer-songwriter, Jess Hitchcock. "A special performance by Jess Hitchcock to bring us together. #Yes23 Jess Hitchcock is a Melbourne-based Indigenous singer-songwriter who has stirred the Australian music and performing arts scene as a genre-defying force. Her powerful voice and knack for storytelling has seen her shine across pop, country, folk, opera and music theatre, sharing the stage and studio with some of Australia's favourites. One of Jess's most notable collaborations is with legendary Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. Together they performed and recorded Paul's song, ‘Everyday My Mother’s Voice’, earning standing ovations across the nation. You can occasionally find Jess in Paul's band on vocals and percussion. Jess has also collaborated with Archie Roach, Tina Arena and Kate Miller-Heidke." TOGETHER We’re armed for this fight There’s no place to hide But we’re ready Behind me there stands One million people And we’re all ready This is our time We must fight for a future That we can give to our children They’ll have nothing left If we don’t stand, together now Each day it gets worse There seems like no end To gain power We’ve all lost our way Desensitised to pain To gain power Wars are all the same, the casualties and pain Are there any boundaries, that we will not cross The road ahead seems rough, but there’s no turning back We can only rectify all of this with us This is our time We must fight for a future That we can give to our children They’ll have nothing left If we don’t stand, together now Listen to Jess sing her song TOGETHER, here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNDTkNOPbIA "This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community." |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 04 Nov 23 - 03:52 AM I’m not sure if "Armistice Day" is still widely recognised by the general population in the UK, North America, or in other countries that participated in WWI, 1914-18 [ also known as "The Great War" and “the war to end all wars” as the scale and suffering was unprecedented and grew to involve over 80% of the world ]. But here Down Under, in Australia and in New Zealand, the signing of the armistice in 1918 to end the war (the European theatre, at least), is still commemorated, but tends to now be known as "Remembrance Day", honouring all Service Veterans of all conflicts. [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_Day ] The Poppy Sellers can still be found - on the city streets and in country towns, at least - in the days leading up to November 11th. It is unlikely to ever again reach the outpouring of the centenary in 2018, where I among many, many tens of thousands of people - the world over - hand-crafted poppies and delivered them via the local libraries etc, to be inserted into massed displays around the countries and particularly at the memorials to the fallen, extant in every city and town. Fellow Catter and Crafter, Sandra in Sydney, may have done the same!? [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_poppy ] [ Why Poppies? http://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/john-mccrae-in-flanders-fields.htm ] The once-common mark of respect - a one (or two) minute's silence at the 11th hour (and where in past times, even the traffic in many places, pulled over and came to a standstill!!!) - is also regaining its place. [on the origins : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-minute_silence ] I note that the 10th Maleny Music Festival, being held here next weekend, has The Minute’s Silence built into its program, followed by a presentation of “Songs of Peace and Remembrance”. [ https://www.malenymusicfestival.com/ ] The remembrance is not glorifying war, as some folks loudly insist. In my case, I think of the grandfather I never got to meet. A man who, like myself, loved reading, poetry and song (and my grandmother!), but who died from the effects of Tuberculosis (contracted whilst he was a medical orderly with the 3rd Austn General Hospital in Abbeville, Abbasia and Lemnos), resulting in my mother and her baby sister, growing up without a father (and their mother without a beloved husband). As it turns out, I had 6 other relatives serving in WWI, but thankfully they all returned to ‘resume’ their peacetime lives. Except for my grandfather, who passed from “The White Plague” (as TB was known), in 1926 and now, all who once knew him are also passed from this world, and while his name is on the cenotaph at Kings Park Botannic Garden, on the hill overlooking Perth in West Aussie, I have some photos and some books - and some thoughts of what life might have been …........… [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/peculiarhand/5799286616/in/album-72157626763214889/ ] The following song was written late last century by my brother-in-law, Noel Gardner, and he dedicates it to a friend of ours who used to live nearby and whose military service had resulted in on-going ill health, but, as is very sadly often the case, he was treated badly by the Powers-that-Be, once he had returned home. ARMISTICE DAY ~ Noel Gardner, Nov2007 Silence tolls an hour ‘fore midday on the second-last month of the year Images flash on the eleventh day, as memories disappear Now medals hang proudly and tributes flow as politicians push their line Another year, less truth said, another war to justify Defend your country the posters read, in the name of national pride But they don’t defend our soldiers of war, as disease eats them inside Lying on his back in his hospital bed, he recalls in tales of pain Denials, whitewash, cover-ups, protect the government’s shame Chorus May we remember, lest we forget But the killings go on in the name of religion In the hills and the deserts yet May we remember, lest we forget But the killings go on in the name of religion In the hills and the deserts yet High in the sky, a target is selected from dots on the face of a screen But the pilot never sees or hears from his cockpit the blood-soaked tears and screams Out in the field an innocent child, falls prey to clusters of time Inhumanity, ideology, combines with greed and science Hide the coffins, distort statistics, don’t let anyone see Rape for profit, kill for oil, in the name of liberty Hollow words laced with fear fuel the government’s guise And in the in the name of deceit, spin and business, another soldier dies Chorus May we remember lest we forget But the killings go on in the name of religion In the hills and the deserts yet May we remember lest we forget But the killings go on in the name of religion In the hills and the deserts yet Silence tolls an hour ‘fore midday on the second-last month of the year ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Here is a YT video of Noel Gardner and Alex Bridge performing this song, in 2016 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpvMc5PPw3c Cheers – and here’s to armistices being sincerely signed, the whole sorry world over. R-J |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 04 Nov 23 - 05:12 AM Rich-joy said - the Poppy Sellers can still be found - on the city streets and in country towns, at least - in the days leading up to November 11th. It is unlikely to ever again reach the outpouring of the centenary in 2018, where I among many, many tens of thousands of people - the world over - hand-crafted poppies and delivered them via the local libraries etc, to be inserted into massed displays around the countries and particularly at the memorials to the fallen, extant in every city and town. Fellow Catter and Crafter, Sandra in Sydney, may have done the same!? World War I armistice centenary to be marked with 62,000 handmade poppies at Australian War Memorial ... Almost one million poppies were sent in, but only 62,000 were staked outside the war memorial ... no, I didn't make poppies, but several friends did & one even saw one of her her poppies amongst the 62,000 at the Australian War memorial. It had a distinctive centre & was near the path! another friend made several dozen for a display on a local church gate & makes more every year. |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: JennieG Date: 04 Nov 23 - 05:48 PM Himself and I have been in Toronto, Canada, a couple of times on 11th November, and it is certainly commemorated there. Poppies everywhere - we had a couple with us that a friend had made before we went, our Canadian DIL requested them so we left them with her - poppies for sale in the weeks leading up to 11th November. Displays in shop windows....the music shop on the corner (now sadly closed, as the owner retired after 50 years) had a display of memorabilia, including the battle jacket worn by the owner's father in WWII. There was even a music evening there singing songs from war years, which I was able to join in - they let me borrow a ukulele. So yes+, very much in Canada. |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 06 Nov 23 - 03:24 AM Thanks Sandra and Jennie for those verifications!! Cheers, R-J |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 06 Oct 23 - 07:34 AM The latest thing to get many Aussies knickers-in-a-twist is the coming Referendum to vote on The Voice, set to be held on Sat October 14th, 2023. (Voting is compulsory for all over 18, in Australia) Considering Australia is one of the few 'first world' countries with a Colonial past, that does NOT recognise its Indigenous Peoples (yes, that has been "Fact-Checked" :), you'd think that a simple proposition to enshrine the Voice to Parliament of our First Nations folk, via our Constitution, would be a shoe-in. Basically Yes or No, to the (strictly advisory) Indigenous Voice regarding Indigenous affairs. However, apparently the Naysayers, whose objections range widely and wildy from the cautious to the ludicrous, consider it's A Very Bad Thing, with some claiming it will cause more Racism and Division in the Population (check : they've already achieved that on their own .....) and some even say (like Hanrahan), that “WE’LL ALL BE RUUUU-INED!!!” – and have our property stolen. (Oh, you mean like what was done to Aboriginal peoples by our British Lords and Masters???) Yeah - Nah, reminds me of the kind of silliness spoke by the Daylight Saving Objectors in previous State referendums : "It'll fade the curtains and the paintwork!!!" (true story) Anyway, we're not gonna go there now; there's been far too much of it already, in the media and on social media - and round the Barbie and in the Pub!!! This post is actually to bring attention to a song written and performed by my BinL, Noel Gardner, who is a well-known singer/songwriter Down Under. I've still gotta get the definitive lyrics from him and post here, but you can watch and listen to it on his much under-used You Tube channel : A SIMPLE PROPOSITION - Noel Gardner, 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n58BiBwuSo recorded at The Bug Folk Club in Brisbane, last Tuesday evening. I believe that Paul Kelly and a number of other Aussies have written songs too – maybe they’ll be appearing in this thread??? (she asks hopefully ??) I guess I really should have included more of an explanation about The Voice, for Catters and for posterity - but to be honest, I’m a bit tired – AND I’ve already voted!!! (Gawd, I do so love “early voting”!!) Cheers!! R-J |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 06 Oct 23 - 11:17 PM Here are the lyrics for Noel Gardner's song : "A SIMPLE PROPOSITION" regarding Australia's current Referendum, as discussed 2 posts below. It can be found on various platforms, but here it is on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n58BiBwuSo A Simple Proposition It was a simple proposition, with a simple plan A simple way to recognise, the first peoples of this land A simple ask for a Voice from those at Uluru But the government ignored it, and then lied about it too After years of consultation, the elders gathered in the dust In the centre of Australia through dialogue and trust Just fifty years after, they had won the right to Vote Looking for a better way, from despair to hope The Libs. twisted its intentions, and distorted truth and fact Mixed it up with hate and lies and other hurtful crap But hope was never ceded, and elders pushed on with their plan Until a politician said I’ll, support you in your stand When he announced he would pursue it, and heeded to their call Hope swelled for a future bright, a better path for one and all But they under estimated, darkness pushing through A negative agenda, with big backing from the few The few who scuttle progress, the ones who lie and hate The one’s who add confusion, with division they create Who spread their propaganda or promote religious creed Who cast aside people’s rights, and ignore heartfelt plea’s So before you mark your ballot, please open up your heart Reach for generosity, a new way to make a start Ignore that negativity, let compassion be your guide A heartfelt plea from Uluru to walk and recognise It was a simple proposition, with a simple plan A simple way to recognise, the first people’s of this land A simple ask for a voice, to create a better way So simply consider that, on referendum day So simply consider that, on referendum day And remember that you are The Voice come referendum day Noel Gardner ( C ) 5th Sept 2023 Cheers, R-J |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 07 Oct 23 - 09:01 PM Here is another song regarding the imminent Oz Referendum : The Goodwills - Should We Say Yes "This is the YouTube version of a song for Yes23 released on September 30. It asks what kind of country would we be living in now if we'd had citizens' referenda over controversial issues like the Vietnam and Gulf wars." (complete with visual historical footage) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRpmvQz5m5o Any more songs out there?? (for Yes or for No) Cheers, R-J |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 08 Oct 23 - 08:40 PM Here is the Paul Kelly song regarding Australia's imminent Referendum : PAUL KELLY - IF NOT NOW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFNu5QeVtcM It’s a splinter in the mind, a whisper in the heart A feeling something’s missing, some crucial little part It’s business that’s unfinished, a reckoning that’s due If not now, then when? If not us, then who? It’s a simple proposition to join the new and old A chance to make our country larger in its soul It’s an invitation offered to set our course anew If not now, then when? If not us, then who? How long can we keep walking with this stone in our shoe? If not now, then when? If not us, then who? We may never get another chance like this again If not us, then who? If not now, then when Too many falling far behind, shut out of the deal If you called and no-one heard you, imagine how you’d feel This land was never given, it was taken and then sold But its ancient songs and stories are a gift greater than gold The status quo is busted, let’s stop kicking that old can If not us, then who? If not now, then when? It’s business that’s unfinished, high time to see it through If not now, then when? If not us, then who? Cheers, R-J PS still looking for the NO songs published online, in the interests of balance, here. I've no doubt they are being sung in pubs and clubs around the traps ..... |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 10 Oct 23 - 07:24 AM Here is a link to Catter, Daniel Kelly's song "Yes to The Voice" : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO9aa9_W9P4 He says : "Hopefully this weekend Australians will take another long-overdue step in moving to #truth, #treaty and a #voice for indigenous people." Cheers, R-J |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 11 Oct 23 - 06:51 AM Here is the first song of two, that Aussie singer-songwriter, Noel Gardner, wrote regarding the Referendum issues : HISTORY IS CALLING OUT ~ Noel Gardner (7th Sept 2023) Now, for sixty five times ….. thousands of years The Dreaming has sung up this land, through respect, love and tears In tune with mother nature .… rivers, sky, trees and sand Only taking, what was needed, just leaving, footprints on the land When those, cloud-like white sails ……… appeared upon the shore A flag was planted on a lie, land never, ceded in law And from a false proclamation …… lives were torn apart Language, culture, children, ripped from parent’s hearts History, is calling out, across this Southern land It’s time for a reckoning, on which side will you stand Will you stand for justice, and to walk, side by side A new path is beckoning, to correct what was denied For two hundred, and more years ……..with a system stacked one way The cover ups continue, with land still stolen today The jails are overflowing ………. as disadvantage grabs a hold Family ties and separations, interventions take their toll Programs designed for reasons ……… as per, white fella’s way Black knowledge is ignored, so money flows, just one way Ignorance of culture ……. and deep meaning of this land Are cast aside for profit with no Voice to make a stand History is calling out, across this Southern land It’s time for a reckoning, on which side will you stand Will you stand for justice, division, lies or hate A new path is beckoning, which way will you relate No farming recognition …… grains or with fish traps Were included in the history books …. excluded were the facts The culture and the frontier wars ……. are yet to be told With a Voice unlocking stories and truth telling to unfold So will you grasp this history ………. are you up for the task A dialogue from Uluru, A Statement From The Heart History is calling out, across this Southern land It’s time for a reckoning, on which side will you stand Will you stand for justice, and to walk, side by side A new path is beckoning, to correct what was denied Will you stand for justice, or division, lies and hate Will you stand for justice, and to walk, side by side ***** This is the link to a first performance of this song, on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQlNB753-HU "Oct 11, 2023 This Song was inspired after listening to Indigenous Elders from Cherbourg explaining the benefits that The Voice would provide to their Community. They talked about how funding had been taken away from their community-run Night Patrol and given to some corporation. They weren't able to find out who it was or why, but A Voice would allow them to have their questions answered." Cheers, R-J |
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Subject: Lyr Add: TOGETHER (Jess Hitchcock) From: rich-joy Date: 21 Oct 23 - 08:26 PM Here is another song regarding the recent Referendum. No, not too late. It's from Torres Strait singer-songwriter, Jess Hitchcock. "A special performance by Jess Hitchcock to bring us together. #Yes23 Jess Hitchcock is a Melbourne-based Indigenous singer-songwriter who has stirred the Australian music and performing arts scene as a genre-defying force. Her powerful voice and knack for storytelling has seen her shine across pop, country, folk, opera and music theatre, sharing the stage and studio with some of Australia's favourites. One of Jess's most notable collaborations is with legendary Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. Together they performed and recorded Paul's song, ‘Everyday My Mother’s Voice’, earning standing ovations across the nation. You can occasionally find Jess in Paul's band on vocals and percussion. Jess has also collaborated with Archie Roach, Tina Arena and Kate Miller-Heidke." TOGETHER We’re armed for this fight There’s no place to hide But we’re ready Behind me there stands One million people And we’re all ready This is our time We must fight for a future That we can give to our children They’ll have nothing left If we don’t stand, together now Each day it gets worse There seems like no end To gain power We’ve all lost our way Desensitised to pain To gain power Wars are all the same, the casualties and pain Are there any boundaries, that we will not cross The road ahead seems rough, but there’s no turning back We can only rectify all of this with us This is our time We must fight for a future That we can give to our children They’ll have nothing left If we don’t stand, together now Listen to Jess sing her song TOGETHER, here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNDTkNOPbIA "This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community." |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 06 Oct 23 - 05:46 PM your BinL was also the winner of the 2018 Dale & John Dengate Parody award with 'A Bicycle Built for Three' & words are on this blog, unfortunately it's a .jpg & I don't want to type up the words! |
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Subject: Lyr Add: STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART (MAKARRATA SONG) From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 06 Oct 23 - 05:51 PM Another great song comes from Tripple Effect winners of the 2020 Alistair Hulett Songs for Social justice award - Straight From the Heart (the Makarrata Song) - Tripple Effect with Thomas Mayor Tripple Effect first performed Straight From the Heart at the protest event to mark the first anniversary of the Uluru Statement, held in Sydney in May 2018. It was the band's first public performance. The photo near the end of the video of Tripple Effect with Thomas Mayor holding the Uluru Statement canvas was taken at that event. STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART (THE MAKARRATA SONG) lyrics by John Sutton 2018 They gathered in the heart of the wide brown land Put their differences aside, said “Together we stand You ask what we want, so we’ll tell you straight “That our people are hurting, but it’s not too late “If you really want to help heal the wounds of the past “And really close the gap with some justice at last “We’ll tell you straight from the Heart “Straight from the Heart of this land” So they spoke and they sang till they worked it all out Three tasks to do, one word to shout There’s a Voice to be heard, there’s Truth to be told There’s a Treaty to be signed, to right wrongs of old It’s Makarrata we want, Makarrata’s the cry From the great red rock under this southern sky “We speak straight from the Heart “Straight from the Heart of this land” To Canberra they came, said “Here’s what we say If you wanna walk with us, this is the way” But Canberra said “No, you ask for too much We wanted something with a much lighter touch Something we could sell to those on the right Who can’t see past their blindfolds into the light Of what’s straight from the Heart Straight from the Heart of this land" Well it’s been said before they know how to wait But Makarrata's already two hundred years late There’s no time like now to do what we must And bury terra nullius under the dust Of this blood-stained country, this heart-broken land Where the red rock itself cries in the sand Straight from the Heart Straight from the Heart of this land Now the Heart of this land isn’t just Uluru It’s what beats in the chest of me and of you It’s what cries in the soul of this country we share It’s what sings in the sighs of the dreams that we dare It’s what lifts us to hope and to care for each other It drives the blood in the bond of sister and brother It’s what gives us our strength to rise above fears It’s the rock of our dreams and our hopes and our tears That come straight from the Heart Straight from the Heart of this land So if we want it to be, it’s over to us We can’t leave it to others we’ve learnt not to trust. It’s Makarrata we need, Makarrata’s the way To a much better future, to a bran nue dae Where the clear light of Truth will finally be shone On all of the lies about what has been done Where those who’ve been silenced will be given their Voice And those who won’t listen won’t have any choice But to sign the damn Treaty, pay the damn rent For country and lives stolen and spent So we’ll sing it and shout it throughout this land Until justice prevails, and as one we all stand Singing straight from the Heart Crying straight from the Heart of this land So let's sing it and shout it throughout this land Until justice prevails, and as one we all stand Singing straight from the Heart Crying straight from the Heart Singing straight from the Heart Crying straight from the Heart of this land |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: JennieG Date: 04 Nov 23 - 05:48 PM Himself and I have been in Toronto, Canada, a couple of times on 11th November, and it is certainly commemorated there. Poppies everywhere - we had a couple with us that a friend had made before we went, our Canadian DIL requested them so we left them with her - poppies for sale in the weeks leading up to 11th November. Displays in shop windows....the music shop on the corner (now sadly closed, as the owner retired after 50 years) had a display of memorabilia, including the battle jacket worn by the owner's father in WWII. There was even a music evening there singing songs from war years, which I was able to join in - they let me borrow a ukulele. So yes+, very much in Canada. |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 04 Nov 23 - 03:52 AM I’m not sure if "Armistice Day" is still widely recognised by the general population in the UK, North America, or in other countries that participated in WWI, 1914-18 [ also known as "The Great War" and “the war to end all wars” as the scale and suffering was unprecedented and grew to involve over 80% of the world ]. But here Down Under, in Australia and in New Zealand, the signing of the armistice in 1918 to end the war (the European theatre, at least), is still commemorated, but tends to now be known as "Remembrance Day", honouring all Service Veterans of all conflicts. [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_Day ] The Poppy Sellers can still be found - on the city streets and in country towns, at least - in the days leading up to November 11th. It is unlikely to ever again reach the outpouring of the centenary in 2018, where I among many, many tens of thousands of people - the world over - hand-crafted poppies and delivered them via the local libraries etc, to be inserted into massed displays around the countries and particularly at the memorials to the fallen, extant in every city and town. Fellow Catter and Crafter, Sandra in Sydney, may have done the same!? [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_poppy ] [ Why Poppies? http://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/john-mccrae-in-flanders-fields.htm ] The once-common mark of respect - a one (or two) minute's silence at the 11th hour (and where in past times, even the traffic in many places, pulled over and came to a standstill!!!) - is also regaining its place. [on the origins : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-minute_silence ] I note that the 10th Maleny Music Festival, being held here next weekend, has The Minute’s Silence built into its program, followed by a presentation of “Songs of Peace and Remembrance”. [ https://www.malenymusicfestival.com/ ] The remembrance is not glorifying war, as some folks loudly insist. In my case, I think of the grandfather I never got to meet. A man who, like myself, loved reading, poetry and song (and my grandmother!), but who died from the effects of Tuberculosis (contracted whilst he was a medical orderly with the 3rd Austn General Hospital in Abbeville, Abbasia and Lemnos), resulting in my mother and her baby sister, growing up without a father (and their mother without a beloved husband). As it turns out, I had 6 other relatives serving in WWI, but thankfully they all returned to ‘resume’ their peacetime lives. Except for my grandfather, who passed from “The White Plague” (as TB was known), in 1926 and now, all who once knew him are also passed from this world, and while his name is on the cenotaph at Kings Park Botannic Garden, on the hill overlooking Perth in West Aussie, I have some photos and some books - and some thoughts of what life might have been …........… [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/peculiarhand/5799286616/in/album-72157626763214889/ ] The following song was written late last century by my brother-in-law, Noel Gardner, and he dedicates it to a friend of ours who used to live nearby and whose military service had resulted in on-going ill health, but, as is very sadly often the case, he was treated badly by the Powers-that-Be, once he had returned home. ARMISTICE DAY ~ Noel Gardner, Nov2007 Silence tolls an hour ‘fore midday on the second-last month of the year Images flash on the eleventh day, as memories disappear Now medals hang proudly and tributes flow as politicians push their line Another year, less truth said, another war to justify Defend your country the posters read, in the name of national pride But they don’t defend our soldiers of war, as disease eats them inside Lying on his back in his hospital bed, he recalls in tales of pain Denials, whitewash, cover-ups, protect the government’s shame Chorus May we remember, lest we forget But the killings go on in the name of religion In the hills and the deserts yet May we remember, lest we forget But the killings go on in the name of religion In the hills and the deserts yet High in the sky, a target is selected from dots on the face of a screen But the pilot never sees or hears from his cockpit the blood-soaked tears and screams Out in the field an innocent child, falls prey to clusters of time Inhumanity, ideology, combines with greed and science Hide the coffins, distort statistics, don’t let anyone see Rape for profit, kill for oil, in the name of liberty Hollow words laced with fear fuel the government’s guise And in the in the name of deceit, spin and business, another soldier dies Chorus May we remember lest we forget But the killings go on in the name of religion In the hills and the deserts yet May we remember lest we forget But the killings go on in the name of religion In the hills and the deserts yet Silence tolls an hour ‘fore midday on the second-last month of the year ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Here is a YT video of Noel Gardner and Alex Bridge performing this song, in 2016 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpvMc5PPw3c Cheers – and here’s to armistices being sincerely signed, the whole sorry world over. R-J |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: rich-joy Date: 06 Nov 23 - 03:24 AM Thanks Sandra and Jennie for those verifications!! Cheers, R-J |
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Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 04 Nov 23 - 05:12 AM Rich-joy said - the Poppy Sellers can still be found - on the city streets and in country towns, at least - in the days leading up to November 11th. It is unlikely to ever again reach the outpouring of the centenary in 2018, where I among many, many tens of thousands of people - the world over - hand-crafted poppies and delivered them via the local libraries etc, to be inserted into massed displays around the countries and particularly at the memorials to the fallen, extant in every city and town. Fellow Catter and Crafter, Sandra in Sydney, may have done the same!? World War I armistice centenary to be marked with 62,000 handmade poppies at Australian War Memorial ... Almost one million poppies were sent in, but only 62,000 were staked outside the war memorial ... no, I didn't make poppies, but several friends did & one even saw one of her her poppies amongst the 62,000 at the Australian War memorial. It had a distinctive centre & was near the path! another friend made several dozen for a display on a local church gate & makes more every year. |
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