Broken Pearls by 1234567890 published on 2022-08-20T21:58:34Z Broken Pearls Every year I try to make a little song to commemorate remembrance day in November. The month of August is also historically significant, though. In August 1914 the massed cartoon insanity of old-world braided huffing and puffing empires slammed into stark reality when over the course of a few days: Germany declared war on Russia, France and Belgium; Britain declared war on Germany; Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia; France and Britain declared war on Austria-Hungary; Japan declared war on Germany; and Austria-Hungary declared war on Belgium. Dear God. Herbert Burden was one of many young men who decided to do “the right thing” and lied about his age to enlist. He endured 10 months of fighting, shelling and gas attacks in the front line trenches in France, lost many friends and was himself eventually hospitalised. On discharge from hospital his battalion received orders to return to the front line. Herbert went AWOL and was found at a neighbouring regiment where he said he had gone to comfort a friend who had lost a brother in the fighting. Herbert became the youngest British soldier to be executed by firing squad for desertion. He was seventeen years old, alone, given no defence at his trial, blindfolded, arms tied behind his back, lashed to a post and shot at dawn on 21st July 1915. God rest his soul. The picture is of a statue of Herbert which stands at the British National Memorial Arboretum as part of an installation to commemorate the 306 of their own soldiers executed by the British Army during WW1. I felt this needed to be done raw in one take so please excuse the rough edges. ______________________________________________________________________ Broken Pearls Come the night, through singing clouds Of old men crying on war's recall, Pastel light hits bleeding shrouds Still defying, backs to wall. Morphine hymns through organ pipes Hairs on end, standard unfurled Shell shock sins 'neath starburst lights Set to defend their broken pearls. His mother spoke through spilling tears God beside, with angel choirs. He then awoke – pain chilling sears Deep inside his burning fires. Camphor dreams through ether prayers Uniformed boys mustard gas swirls Just seventeen, mere child's nightmares. Discarded toy, of broken pearls. Weeping crows in ¾ time Belie the crown, lay down to die. Wreaths below, left countersigned Head bowed down, blindfolded eyes. Hot leaded hopes absolve the rich Salvo thunder suspends our world On posted ropes slumped heroes twitch And rent asunder our broken pearls. Comment by Doug Roossien sensitive and tenderly played and sung 2024-03-22T02:41:57Z Comment by The Gobi Desert Canoe Club Just once I wish I could write a song with lyrics as meaningful as this, and still the madness raises its bloodthirsty head again. 2024-01-29T16:47:29Z Comment by Phil McWalter Brilliant writing… 2024-01-29T10:45:26Z Comment by Watchglass Beautiful indeed 2022-11-27T12:17:56Z Comment by Francesco Cartocci Sad and beautiful song 2022-10-11T10:46:42Z Comment by Jeff Roberts one needs no other enemy than one's own kin and kind to meet violent death; jeez the kid endured nearly a year of hell 2022-10-10T23:37:04Z Comment by oddrun eikli Touched my heart, just 17 years old Herbert. Thank you for your words and song to make us remember and think. 2022-10-09T07:12:24Z Comment by Chuck Aaron What a story- so well expressed !! 2022-10-04T03:48:23Z Comment by warfydave Great song. 2022-10-03T13:08:44Z Comment by C h r i s t i a n W a l s h you've done a great thing to commemorate Herbert's life with such a gracious gift 2022-09-27T15:53:17Z Comment by FarOut-music-studio A superb song with so much feeling. ;) 2022-09-22T06:27:50Z Comment by Bruce Avery WW1 was conducted by nineteenth century rules….those who left ranks were called traitors and jailed or executed. Full circle now – one who leaves ranks may find himself a truth-teller or whistleblower, if not a hero. But war was cruel then and now…..men (boys) like Herbert are pawns/victims, no matter their fate. You always capture your subject matter (here the sad irony of war) so well, my friend. 2022-09-20T02:17:52Z Comment by tbone711 Late to the party but it’s safe to say your restrained delivery shouts abundant truth, one of your best, Peter! 2022-09-16T11:20:34Z Comment by De Parrot Lovely acoustic vibes with warm and nice vocals! 2022-09-14T15:11:47Z Comment by Emma Caiman Beautiful and heart-catching.. thank you!! 2022-09-11T04:59:48Z Comment by Lammbone I am glad that no matter how loud the human race touts its stellar achievements, your whisper is carried on the wind to let us know how far we still have to go to extricate ourselves from the quagmire we've created. Wonderful. 2022-09-09T17:37:58Z Comment by Liz Dicker Such a poignant and beautiful song… 2022-09-07T16:07:28Z Comment by Rick Jangle Absolutely beautiful song. Listening to the lyrics and the beautiful heartfelt delvery brought tears to my eyes. 2022-08-28T01:43:09Z Comment by Julie Elphick You write so beautifully giving dignity to suffering 2022-08-26T05:04:54Z Comment by The Windscale Blues Experiment Moving tribute to one of the real heroes. So many suffered for the stupidity of the so called ruling classes...and we are still paying for it. Well done sir! 2022-08-25T12:46:02Z Comment by Steve Coombes Wonderful and lyrical song. 2022-08-25T08:56:39Z Comment by JoeLiberty Lovely :) 2022-08-24T23:06:29Z Comment by burn-it-smith Unimaginable what we are capable of doing, it is important that we are reminded lest we forget, beautifully done! 2022-08-24T17:50:30Z Comment by Paul Stephanides How utterly tragic!. Beautifully done! 2022-08-24T15:53:34Z Comment by markjbennett Painstakingly poignant. What a magnificent lyric and your delivery is spellbinding. Thank you Peter for keeping this memory alive. 2022-08-24T08:47:18Z Comment by No killie fish Peter you are the modern day Dylan my man, a great composition. Johnny 2022-08-24T08:26:43Z Comment by spanishlilies Substance and craft man.....it has perfume too. Fine work. 2022-08-23T23:36:28Z Comment by Paul Haas Tragic and beautiful. 2022-08-23T22:27:00Z Comment by chivicke Wonderful song. I loved the story !!!!! 2022-08-23T22:20:48Z Comment by Linda Straub Beautiful. Love your voice. 2022-08-23T22:17:53Z