Here's a new song.
It’s something of a companion piece to Cold Mornings (Will it ever Change) in that it’s both personal and political and touches on the War. It’s also similar in that it came out as a kind of stream of consciousness, with lots of words and I then shaped it.
It’s strange as most of my recent songs have been short and less personal, but like  "Cold Mornings" this one kind of just fell out.
It feels very timely so I thought it'd be good to share it now
Anyway here’s the lyrics and chords:

 Verse-C7/C/G/Asus2/A/Em/F/C/G/ Chorus- C/A#m7#5/F/C/G/F
(Capo 4th fret but not high E string)

Verse 1
There's curfews and cordons between territories
We're not crossing borders, we're all telling stories
To explain our behaviours, to our friends and our neighbours. They say they can't help everyone

They're wrapped in green blankets, they're sleeping in basements
Restricted entry, Visa applications
Red tape demarcates the border lines

A wellness day email at work had arrived
Though your targets have increased and you're not sleeping at night
Take care of yourself, allow yourself some time, just don't miss your deadlines

Well, you just had to leave, something didn't feel right
You're not saying they're racist but the senior managers are all white
And there's sand from the Sahara still clinging to the lid of my recycling bin

Chorus
The Diplomat says "we're under attack"
Negotiations broke down and there's no turning back
What can we do?
And we're all holding out for love
Because where there's pain there's love

Verse 2
The metal door slams at 6 every night
They meet in the station, everybody out of sight.
It's all curfews and cordons at least until the morning light

Starvation is warfare, eating melting snow
No vital supplies, nowhere left to go
And away from the war it's still a battleground for many everyday

You're one energy bill increase away from not making it back
From an overdraft application at your local food bank
Your prospects could grow if you live in the right post code

So can you rely on those with the broadest shoulders?
Who'll sympathise if you cry, though their shoulders are the coldest
of all the shoulders you've ever had to cry upon.

Chorus
The Diplomat says "we're under attack"
Negotiations have all fallen flat
The Diplomat says "we're under attack"
How diplomatic is it of him to say that?
What can we do?
And we're all holding out for love
Because where there's pain there's love
And we're all holding on for love
Because where there's pain and suffering there's love

Curfews And Cordons

This soundcloud page is full of sketches, ideas, rough recordings, works in progress and an occasional cover. Please be understanding.

Nat the Hammer is the solo alter-ego of Nathan Loughran, lead singer with The Reverse. More stripped down, wordy and acoustic, any songs that don't find a home in the World of The Reverse often end up here.

Nat the Hammer’s songs have been liken
ed to the delicate ruminations of an early Leonard Cohen or the lo-fi anti-folk of a Jeffrey Lewis. The focus is more on simple melodies and narrative led lyrics than The Reverse, though informed throughout by a dark humour and a steadfast refusal to take himself seriously.

The Reverse is a North London guitar band making an urgent, literate style of indie-rock. New LP "Which Way Out" was released 24/04/20 on Blang Records. 3 EPs and debut LP came out between 2006-20013. The band have played at festivals incl Great Escape and Standon Calling and shared stages with acts like IDLES, and The Wave Pictures. ‘Abstract Heart’, was in Gary Crowley’s top songs of 2018

Curfews And Cordons

Nat The Hammer