Lyr Add: Holiday of the First Bell (P J Skinner)

Subject: Lyr Add: THE HOLIDAY OF THE FIRST BELL
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 02:10 PM

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

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Holiday of the First Bell
From: GUEST,teacher
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 08:23 AM

wow

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Holiday of the First Bell
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 10:49 AM

Excellent! Author?

Subject: Lyr Add: HOLIDAY OF THE FIRST BELL (P. J. Skinner)
From: PennyBlack
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 01:38 PM

Greetings sorry about the lack of cookie on the thread but I was elsewhere when I posted the song. It was written in response to my wifes reaction to the events whilst we were at Fylde Folk Festival.

The song has now been finalised (the original was written at 4am after the festival's survivors "do") and tune added.


THE HOLIDAY OF THE FIRST BELL
Words & Music © P. J. Skinner 07.09.04

The music played, as parents stood, the children they marched in
With flowers for the 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, 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 or right?
For slaughtering young children and those that could not fight

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

The "Holiday of the first Bell" and the last they would remember

an Mp3 will be posted later to our MP3 site and as usual if anyone who wants to use or record the song full permission is given,it will be on my next solo C.D.

Pete (PB)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Holiday of the First Bell
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 01:54 AM

Thank you for sharing it with us and well-done! I look forward to hearing the mp3.

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Holiday of the First Bell
From: PennyBlack
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 03:25 PM

Long Long delay - a copy of the MP3 has now been posted to SoundClick

A CD is to be produced including this song, and will be released in time for Fylde Folk Festival 2005, with all profits going to War Child

I am more than happy if anyone else wishes to perform, record or download the MP3 , only one thing I will ask is please consider making a donation to War Child or similar charity in exchange.

Pete

PB

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Holiday of the First Bell(PJ Skinner)
From: GUEST,Songster
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 02:39 PM

Thanks for that Penny/Pete, I have downloaded the MP3 and think the song is very powerful, good luck with the CD

Anne

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Holiday of the First Bell(PJ Skinner)
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 05:51 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Holiday of the First Bell (P J Skinner)
From: PennyBlack
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 07:41 PM

just a reminder as the 1st anniversary draws near.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Holiday of the First Bell (P J Skinner)
From: GUEST,Maria
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 06:38 AM

MP3 link?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Holiday of the First Bell (P J Skinner)
From: PennyBlack
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 01:53 PM

Linky Thingy to MP3

Hi Maria, link above, it had been posted (21 Apr 05 - 03:25 PM ) but the date order of the posting is all awry since the server change?

PB

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Holiday of the First Bell (P J Skinner)
From: GUEST,Pete
Date: 13 Jul 13 - 06:42 PM

Holiday of the First Bell (itunes Single Released)

Video "Holiday of The First Bell"

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Holiday of the First Bell (P J Skinner)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Jul 13 - 08:01 PM

Memories fade - here is a link to the wiikipedia account of the Beslan school massacre, which this song is about.