Lyr Add: A Nation Rocked to Sleep (Carly Sheehan)

Subject: Lyr Add: A NATION ROCKED TO SLEEP (Carly Sheehan)
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 01:20 PM

This is the wellspring Cindy Sheehan is talking from: her late son. Her daughter Carly wrote this powerful poem.

Please, somebody on the DT who is good with a tune, write a tune for it. This deserves to be heard far and wide as a song!!!

From the Military Families Speak Out Website.

A Nation Rocked to Sleep
Casey's Poem
By Carly Sheehan

Casey Sheehan was killed in Iraq on April 4th 2004.
This poem was written by Casey's sister, Carly Sheehan

Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?
The torrential rains of a mother's weeping will never be done
They call him a hero, you should be glad that he's one,
But have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?

Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?
He must be brave because his boy died for another man's lies
The only grief he allows himself are long, deep sighs
Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?

Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?
They say that he died so that the flag will continue to wave
But I believe he died because they had oil to save
Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?

Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep?
The leaders want to keep you numb so the pain won't be so deep
But if we the people let them continue another mother will weep
Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep?

Casey Austin Sheehan
Born May 29th 1979 ~ Died April 4th 2004
Beloved Son, Brother, Grandson, Nephew, Friend

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: Casey Sheehan's song
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 12:38 AM

WOW, pretty powerful.

eric

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: Casey Sheehan's song
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:17 AM

Have you ever heard the sound of people oppressed?
Subjugated, weeping, no taps in sight for their pain…
Freedom can't even be a dream because Nightmares rule
Have you ever heard the sound of people oppressed?

Have you ever heard of a nation who cares for sons everywhere?
Where doing hard things for the right reasons
Is a part of historical pride interlaced as tightly as stars woven on the flag
Have you ever heard of a nation who cares for sons everywhere?

Haven't you heard? We are not asleep; we are quiet in our grief.
For the son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend who proudly left his homeland to fight for fairness
And whose eternal sacrifice is shamed by those who say his blood was shed in vain
Haven't you heard? We are not asleep; we are quiet in our grief.

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: Casey Sheehan's song
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 06:11 PM

Tops...

Now somebody write a tune and post an ABC so we can all sing it???

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: Casey Sheehan's song
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 07:26 PM

I had a tune in my head, but it's too long since I've written ABC. I also realized it was pretty much "Working at the Coal Face" (© Dave Webber) It works, feels natural, but I don't know that the words should have another tune. Maybe tomorrow I'll get an earlier start.

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: Casey Sheehan's song
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 07:39 AM

Beware folks, Guest 3:17 am yesterday is anti-Sheehan, and evidently aimed at poisoning the discourse.

Entitled to his/her own opinion of course, but a little too pat (and not exactly a sure hand with a stanza & scansion, either) ...

I suspect a ringer.

Mudcatters should be aware that from time to time on these threads, political crossfire does come from government sympathizers or agents aimed at discrediting and smearing legitimate expressions of dissent, or even simple human sympathy.

This isn't the first time it's happened.

Wish I could give Guest 3:17 am good marks for compassion for Iraqis, or whoever the object is. But I suspect the sentiments, like the bad copy of Carly's fine work, are political, not humane. Phony as hell.

Just keep an eye out as the thread develops. Judge that mediocre cap to Carly Sheehan's wonderful song on its merits, and keep speaking out.

Rikki Tikki