“A Child’s War” The original 2003 composition by Dean R. Chandler is a haunting cinematic ballad that captures the horror, heartbreak, and humanity found within the chaos of conflict. Originally composed as part of Human Odyssey, it tells the story of a man torn between survival and despair — a father haunted by the cries of his son and the memory of his wife as war consumes everything around him.

Through powerful orchestration, emotional vocals, and vivid storytelling, the song explores the innocence lost in war, the spiritual battle between faith and fear, and the desperate plea for peace in a world gone mad.

This 2025 AI reimagining takes the track in a new direction — it would’ve fit perfectly in my Cold Jack set from ’94/’95, or as a dark, cinematic James Bond–style theme.

This is not just a song — it’s a cinematic journey through the eyes of those who never chose to fight, but must. A tribute to the fallen, the forgotten, and the survivors who still carry the sound of their children’s cries.

A CHILD'S WAR 

[Verse 1]
I cry, without explanation
I hear her voice in my head
I smell the perfume that she wears
My son cries in his bed
Death will surround me
Sacrificed blood spills around me

[Chorus]
I've never had a reason to fight for my life
I've never had a reason 'til now
Guns sound around me as I fall to the ground
I pray for an end to this, I don't want to die
Because my son cries at night
And I have tears from my wife
Oh, I must survive

[Verse 2]
I've seen, a man with no reason
Take the, life of a child
So young, so lost and discouraged
No home or hand to hold tight
Abandoned and lonely
I'm finding this action unholy

[Chorus]
I've never had a reason to fight for my life
I've never had a reason 'til now
Guns sound around me as I fall to the ground
I pray for an end to this, I don't want to die
Because my son cries at night
And I have tears from my wife
Oh, I must survive

[Verse 3]
This is a child's war
No man can win
No explanation hides this sin
Save me
Save my child's heart

[Chorus]
I've never had a reason to fight for my life
I've never had a reason 'til now
Gun sound around me as I fall to the ground
I pray for an end to this, I don't want to die
Because my son cries at night
And I have tears from my wife
Oh, I must survive

[Instrumental]

[Verse 4]
Give, me a reason
And send me your heart
Send all of your angels
To end this holy war

{Verse 5]
Fall from the red sky
And wipe all the tears
Take all our anger
And banish all fear
Give me a sign
Send us your son
It's time

[Chorus outro]
I've never had a reason to fight for my life
I've never had a reason 'til now
Guns sound around me as I fall to the ground
I pray for an end to this, I don't want to die
Because my son cries at night
And I have tears from my wife
And so I'll fight for my life

Time Machine - Echoes of Shattered Dreams

A Child's War

About

I’m Dean R. Chandler — a London based songwriter, recording artist, and storyteller. My music is rooted in a lifelong search for meaning, weaving together themes of love, loss, faith, alien contact, and humanity’s future.

My upcoming double concept album Human Odyssey (set for release in January 2027) is the culmination of decades of writing and reflection. It’s a narrative journey that begins with a search for God and ends with an encounter with extraterrestrial intelligence — exploring not only what it means to be human, but also where we might be heading as a species. Musically, it draws inspiration from the epic storytelling of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, the synth-driven edge of Gary Numan, and the emotional depth of artists like Tori Amos and Chris de Burgh.

I previously released Time Machine – Reflecting Shattered Dreams (2014) and continue to revisit my archive of songs written across 35 years, reimagining them with today’s tools and sounds. Some pieces remain intimate and acoustic, while others expand into dark rock, industrial, or orchestral landscapes — but all are connected by a focus on emotional honesty and cinematic storytelling.

Beyond music, I’m fascinated by the intersection of creativity and technology. I’ve been experimenting with AI-driven composition and production to bring old demos to life and to spark entirely new works. For me, these tools are not replacements for human artistry but extensions of it — ways of unlocking stories and emotions that otherwise might have remained hidden.

At its heart, my work is about connection: to the past, to the future, and to the unseen mysteries of existence. Music, for me, isn’t just entertainment — it’s a chronicle of transformation, a conversation between spirit, science, and sound.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-r-chandler-b19715382/
www.deanrchandler.co.uk