Revised version of song written for my fathers poem When, written in India during WW2 after Kipling's If


When you can segregate your powers of reason
From what you feel and treat the two apart,
Rejecting acts of faith as acts of treason
By which the brain surrenders to the heart;

When you can tune yourself to not believing
And, though you don’t believe, pretend you do,
And learn to live your life throughout conceiving
A host of plans and know they won’t come true;

When you can face the undoubted facts presented
That wars, injustice, lies are here to stay,
And still devote yourself, no less contented
To doing what you can from day to day;

Nothing will then have power to disillusion,
Though dreams alone will serve to bring relief;
You will have learned the secret of the children;
That playing bears does not require belief.

When, Aug  21

Battle hymn of the Republic of Ukraine

Cover of Paul Simon song with an amended verse

Many's the time I've been mistaken
And many times confused
Yes, and I've often felt forsaken
And certainly misused
Oh, but I'm alright, I'm alright
I'm just weary to my bones
Still, you don't expect to be bright and bon vivant
So far away from home, so far away from home
And I don't know a soul who's not been battered
I don't have a friend who feels at ease
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered
Or driven to its knees
But it's alright, it's alright
For we lived so well so long
Still, when I think of 
the road we're traveling on
I wonder what's gone wrong
I can't help it, I wonder what’s gone wrong


And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying

Some of us stole here on The Mayflower
Some brought in chains in a blood red moon
Some brave life and limb through hostile power
To sing an American tune

Oh, and it's alright, it's alright, alright
You can't be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow's gonna be
another working day
And I'm trying to get some rest
That's all,  I'm trying to get some rest

American Tune

Paul Simon wrote this 50 years ago, but very relevant today

american tune Laura

1854 Song by Stephen Foster with three new verses to reflect US aid closing

Let us pause in life’s pleasures and count its many tears
While we all sup sorrow with the poor
There’s a song that will linger forever in our ears;
Oh! hard times come again no more. 

While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay
There are frail forms fainting at the door: 
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say –
Oh! Hard times, come again no more. 

‘Tis the song, the sigh of the weary;
 Hard Times, Hard Times, come again no more:
 Many days you have lingered around my cabin door;
 Oh! Hard Times, come again no more.

The children’s eyes grow weary with sorrow and with pain,
No shelter shields the homeless from the storm,
Their laughter now is silent, their hope a fleeting strain, 
Oh! Hard times, come again no more

Hands that once were busy with hope and honest toil
Now hang still and quiet by the door; 
Their strength has turned to longing, their dreams are left to spoil
Oh! Hard times, come again no more 

‘Tis the song, the sigh of the weary; 
Hard Times, Hard Times, come again no more: 
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door;
 Oh! Hard Times, come again no more
 
Some say that caring deeply is a costly flaw,
That empathy’s a burden to endure.
But hardship spreads its shadow when warmth and hope withdraw,
Oh! Hard times, come again no more

‘Tis the song, the sigh of the weary; 
Hard Times, Hard Times, come again no more:
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door;
Oh! Hard Times, come again no more. 
Oh! Hard Times, come again no more.

Hard times come again no more (amended for USaid)

(Derived from a classical guitar study, probably by Sor)
 sung by Stella

Choose with care

A bad boy can seem so exciting
Use that brain some more
The thread of his screw may start biting
And bore you through your core

And I know, yes I know, doubt me if you dare
And I know, Lord I know, just choose someone who cares

Bad girls can even be meaner
Suck out all your fire
Shake you right down to the cleaners
Then dance around the pyre

And I know, yes I know, doubt me if you dare
And I know, Lord I know, just choose someone who cares

A good choice won’t ruin your sleep now 
Paint your whole world blue
A good choice won’t worry the sheep now
Trustworthy, trusting and true

And I know, yes I know, doubt me if you dare
But I know, Lord I know, just choose someone who cares

choose with care  - stella  original

Words and Music by Lennon & McCartney
Sung by Laura Merton - played by Andrew Merton

"Blackbird"

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for the moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life,
You were only waiting for the moment to be free

Black bird fly, black bird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

Black bird fly, black bird fly
Into the light of the dark black night





Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird - The Beatles (cover)

RUMI BLUE

Hey there Rumi 
Grandy’s crooning
Blossoms blooming
P’tit bijou
Shining pearl 
Foetal curl
gurgle girl
Rumi blue
Give it up for Rumi Blue, teaming with the other two
Choir of the family crew, Harmony for Rumi Blue
Give it up for Rumi Blue, teaming with the other two
Choir of the family crew, Harmony for Rumi Blue

Rumi spooning
Lolo swooning
Hearts attuning
Resonant
Waves of love
Flown above
By carrier dove
So eloquent

Give it up for Rumi Blue, teaming with the other two
Choir of the family crew, Harmony for Rumi Blue
Give it up for Rumi Blue, Teaming with the other two
Choir of the family crew, Harmony for Rumi Blue

Rumi Blue lullaby (Original)

LIGHTEN UP



Cats and dogs see no utility

in gods or monarchy.

We evolved, spontaneously refined

“untelligent” design?



Does it help to see such truths explained?

That nothing’s preordained.

Gods and kings were man-made for control

Daily swallowed whole?



Does this knowledge help us to be free

To right the wrongs we see?

At minimum let each of us resolve

To help us all evolve.

Lighten up (L) (Original)

Reimagine

Twenty twenty time has frozen still
Society is stalled, by order of the crown.
Flu filled bats ignore all lock-down laws
Their rampant socialising knows no bounds.

We respond by pulling up the drawbridge,
Weak and poor are left to bear the cost.
Hunker down and hope to find solutions
Time for preparation now long lost.

The President is vainly shunning face masks 
While selfless heroes battle shocking scenes.
He tweets us throw all caution to the wind
And resurrect from this dystopian dream.

With luck this silent war will soon be over
Immunity will stop a second toll.
A baby boom can bring a younger world
A world of fresh ideas and fairer goals.

Let’s build from this experience something lasting,
A right to health to trump all talk of guns.
We know that we depend on one another
Imagine that the world can breathe as one.
The world can breathe as one

Andrew Merton's Album

Reimagine (Original)

Except where shown, written and played by me using Garageband + iPhone - often sung by Laura. Sounds better on good headphones.
To see lyrics click on each song
 I don't pay for re-posts or listens

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