Musical Pearls
What's Going On?
Most people will be upset by these images, but this is the reality of some of the atrocities that are happening today. I wrote this song to bring attention to these horrors and I make no
apologies for highlighting the terrible social injustices in the world. This is the 21st century. We have the most amazing technology and communications systems. We are capable of ensuring that
every person on the planet has a decent standard of living. Yet millions of people are facing oppression, persecution and starvation. I have had some adverse and abusive reactions to the video.
It appears that many people don't care about the suffering of others, as long as they don't have to witness it. What's going on? <Watch video>
Suraya
"You shine like a star. My guiding light. My destiny. I will travel to be where you are and the sun will never set below the horizon until I am with you."
The Assyrian people are a distinct ethnic group whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia. Suraya was the daughter of an influential Assyrian scholar. In the years 1914-1923, she helped many of her people escape to safety and evade being slaughtered by the armies of the Ottoman Empire during the Assyrian Genocide of World War One when hundreds of thousands of civilians were massacred. Although she gave her own life to help her people, her name is never mentioned in the history books. Even the Assyrian executions are rarely reported but are lost in the context of the much more widespread Armenian Genocide where around 3 million people were murdered. To this day, the Turkish government deny the events took place and little is known of Suraya other than the stories handed down through the families of those she helped. She is reputed to have been a great beauty with immense courage and personal vision. She made the ultimate sacrifice for the benefit of the people she loved, but like many great heroines in history, her name has been lost in the mists of time. <Watch video>
Moochy Man
Remember when you were young and your mother would warn you that if you misbehaved then the bogeyman would get you? You didn't really believe he existed, but still you had your doubts so you didn't take any chances, just in case. It seems an odd coincidence that every culture has it's own variation of the bogeyman. Something evil hiding in a dark corner, waiting to catch you. But what if he does exist? You may not be a child anymore, but it doesn't mean he's gone away. So who punishes the grown-ups when they misbehave? I'd like to introduce you to the Moochy Man. He also hides in the dark and he hates bad behaviour. But he doesn't steal children. He wants your heart and soul. Is he only make believe? Well, just like when you were young, whether you believe in him or not, you'd better be good. Just in case. <Watch video>
Money Talk
Let's not fool ourselves. Money buys everything. Love. Happiness. Loyalty. Peace of mind. Standard of living, Health care. Respect. Power and influence. The list goes on. The more money you acquire, the more important you become, the more you can afford and the better life you will have. Simple. So why do some people pretend otherwise? Probably just to make themselves feel good about having nothing and to justify their existence. Of course, it shouldn't be the case that you are judged solely on the size of your bank balance but, unfortunately, that's exactly how it is. All the things you need must be bought. You can't even get a drink of water without paying for it. You think air is free? Not if you want to live somewhere where it's clean and safe to breathe. There are lots of good things in life but have you heard what you need to do to attain them? That's money talk. Listen - it's trying to tell you something. <Watch video>
Tell Me That I'm Wrong
Sometimes I watch you and I see a faraway look in your eyes that scares me. I can't tell what you're thinking. Is there somewhere else you'd rather be? I don't understand anymore. I remember how close we once were, but now there's a distance between us. We don't talk like we used to. We don't laugh. Am I making you unhappy? I hold your hand and it feels cold. Is it all in my imagination? I don't want to believe I'm losing you. Please say it isn't true. Tell me that I'm wrong. <Watch video>
Old Sid's Lament
This is another episode from Old Sid's story (see Lass On the Bankies and Cousin George's Secret). Sid is at home reminiscing over some old photographs when his young nephew pays an unexpected visit. The nephew is inquisitive about the people in the photos and Sid tells him about them, giving some details of his years in the war and how he lost the sweetheart he has searched and yearned for ever since.
We Live As We Learn
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forever."
Wise words. You must learn to enjoy your life and not let others spoil your dream. Be happy now. Don't wait for the future and expect something outside of yourself to bring you happiness. Time is precious and you only have a limited amount to spend. Don't waste it. Live and learn and savour every minute. <Watch video>
Riding Out The Storm
"I'm being kept here because they say I did a bad thing. There was a fight and someone got killed. But I would have eventually died myself through all the beatings I was getting. I couldn't let it go on. It was me or him. I should never have been incarcerated here in the first place. I never committed any crime until I came here. Now all I want to do is to serve my sentence and I hope that I can eventually get parole and be with my wife and family. I'm holding on the best I can and just taking things a day at a time. Riding out the storm." <Watch video>
When We Were Young
"Those long, warm, sunny days you think will never end. Lots of time to waste. Why make plans? You've got today. Tomorrow can wait. Then somehow without noticing, the seasons move on and suddenly you're in the shadows, looking back. Dark days are ahead and the summer's gone."
He was just an old man sitting on a bench on the seafront at Whitley Bay. Nothing out of the ordinary. He had a story to tell, but doesn't everybody? His story wasn't anything out of the ordinary either. He'd married, raised a family and was now widowed. He spent most of his time alone and welcomed the chance to talk. He lived close by and came here most days. It had been their favourite spot. On special anniversaries, he'd tie a wreath of flowers to the bench with a ribbon. You often see that don't you? And you wonder who left them and why. Well, this is why. He explained, "When you're old, you don't have enough time left to build memories so I come here and reflect on the ones we built when we were young."
Stage Fright
"All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts"
William Shakespeare
If life is just a play, then you'll need to fight hard to gain a leading role. But having to face an audience and constantly put on a stirring performance is exhausting. You'll experience fear and anxiety. Palms sweating. Heart racing. You may turn to certain remedies to help you through. If you're lucky, you'll have a long successful run. If not, you'll bear the criticism of a hostile crowd and close on the first night with others waiting in the wings to eagerly take your place. Eventually, you'll face the final curtain and take your last bow, but the show will still go on without you. <Watch video>
