Glowing Hearts Music proudly presents, in commemoration of Remembrance Day on November 11th , Juno Award winner, Willie P. Bennett’s new recording of "Black Against The Wall".

The song, written by Charlie Sohmer ( recent winner of the Grand Prize for Best Song 2007 OCFF Songs From The Heart), is a story about an old soldier looking back in time, recalling battles and friends, long gone.

Against the backdrop of a string quintet, arranged by Tom Annand, Willie’s beautiful vocal and harmonica, evoke images of longing and lament, giving us pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who died, and by those who survived.

Downloads (right click and "Save as"): MP3 WAV (zip)

Credits

Willie P. Bennett ... vocals, harmonica
Charlie Sohmer ... banjo
James Stephens ... violins, viola
Ken Kanwisher ... cello, bass

Strings arranged by Tom Annand
Recording engineered by James Stephens
Mixed by James Stephens & David Bignell

© Charlie Sohmer (SOCAN)

Lyrics

Black Against The Wall
January 20, 2003

By fire’s glow, the stepping stones, are marble polished soft
We curse the air, the damp despair, that fills us like a cough
And shaking off the silence, was hanging like a coat
Anger rising from my throat

They called my name the last time and promised me a fight
I didn’t need no reason, was plain as black and white
The little good I done there, can never ease the pain
So many – I will never see again

We marched in blood and snow, playing targets to their bombs
The sergeant tried to rouse us, but we didn’t know the songs
He fell a moment later, with nothing left to give
I wish I’d died there with him, but I lived

I try and catch the broadcast, but I guess I’m going deaf
I used to buy the boys a round, but there’s hardly no-one left
And like my coal-oil lantern, so black against the wall
I barely have any hope at all

© Charlie Sohmer (2003)