Protest Song

I’ve been listening to a lot of Bob Dylan recently, since watching the film ‘A Complete Unknown’, and inspired by his protest songs have had a go at writing my own!

Where are the poets, the prophets the priests and the kings
Lending their voices to those who can no longer sing
Do they have the courage to meet this hour
Exchanging their platforms of privilege and power
For a better, more beautiful world where we all can be free

How do the men making millions off misery sleep
When their bedsheets are washed with the tears of the many who weep?
The merchants of war who would rather we bleed
Than exchange their selfishness, power, and greed
For a better more beautiful world where we all can be free

Why are the women still wailing and when will they see
Their long promised justice roll in like the waves on the sea?
In the face of oppression still they persist
Replacing a world filled with prejudice
With a better more beautiful world where we all can be free

Who are the people who profit while the planet burns?
Spreading pollution and lies without any concerns
Blaming our problems on refugees
While the billionaire conmen steal whatever they please
From the better more beautiful world where we all can be free

Where are the poets, the prophets, the priests and the kings
The ones who believe in the promise of what tomorrow may bring
The hopers and dreamers working to see
A brighter tomorrow where together we’ll be
The poets and prophets and priests and kings and queens
Of a better more beautiful world where we all can be free

Photo by Nikoloz Gachechiladze on Unsplash

May 24, 2025 0

Better Place

Going through a little ‘protest song’ writing phase – here’s a fun one inspired by Frank Turner

I just want to write a song to make the world a better place
Something you can sing along to with a smile upon your face
When the world is going wrong and everything is a disgrace
I just want to sing a song to make the world a better place
Do do do do do do do (x4)

I don’t really wanna write another angry song for you
Climate change and genocide and hate can leave you feeling blue
Everything is all the time I find it overwhelming too
So I don’t really wanna sing another angry song for you
Do do do…

All I want to do is try and write a song and have some fun
I can’t change the world and nor can you but if we work as one
Spreading kindness and compassion we will see what can be done
All I want to do is try and sing a song and have some fun
Do do do…

I just want to write a song to make the world a better place
Something you can sing along to with a smile upon your face
Maybe sneak a little bit of protest in it just in case
Together we can sing a song then make the world a better place
Do do do…

Photo by Caio Silva on Unsplash

May 24, 2025 0

King of the Acorns

The title of this song, “King of the Acorns”, sat on my notes app on my phone for about 2 years before I finally turned it into a song – I hope it was worth the wait!

Scratch beneath the surface of the earth
It’s his domain that’s he’s claimed
And he returns to it again and again and again
His hidden treasure hoard, safely stored
In woods and in parks
and as the dark winter hardens
The gardens he leaves his mark

He’s the king of the acorns, the king of the trees
The king of the soil and the soul of the seeds
He’s the king of the autumn, king of the spring
King of whatever the winter may bring
He’s the king of the garden, king of the park
King of the dawn and the dusk and the dark
And the light and the day and the night
It’s all his by right
He’s the king of the acorns

Looking down from on high
As the sky collides with the ground
His hide and seek quarry is found
With the instincts of a bloodhound
He knows his labours through the year
Are hidden here and he must clear it all
Before it disappears like morning mist
and schoolboy fears

He’s the king of the acorns…

Photo by Gary Fultz on unsplash.com

Jan 3, 2025 0

Take my life and let it be

I’m part of an online worship songwriting group and each month we are set a new challenge. This is my take on the theme of “commitment songs”. It draws on the old hymn “take my life and let it be”, and a prayer from the licensing service of a new vicar

Take my life and let it be
Rooted firmly like a tree
Planted by the waters of your love
Take my mind and let it soar
Like an eagle, searching for
All the truth that’s hidden in your love

Every moment, every day
Everything I have, I pray
Take my life and fill it with your love

Take my lips and let my words
Sing your praises like the birds
Every breath a story of your love
Take my heart and let it blaze
Like a fire, filled with praise
For your burning, never failing love

Dec 3, 2024 0

The Ravens Go Dancing

The ravens are dancing together
as the sunlight warms the air
burning off the mists and cares
of the late autumn weather
and the ravens go dancing together

The children are walking together
and their voices fill the air
as the classroom calls them where
from their earthbound endeavours
they watch ravens go dancing together

The passengers jostle together
daily gossip twists the air
into tales of who and where
and what happened and never
notice ravens go dancing together

The loved ones all gather together
as the bells resound the air
and in hope and joy they swear
to be faithful forever
like the ravens out dancing together

The curtains are long drawn together
silent memory soaks the air
while a rasping whispered prayer
rises fragrant as heather
where the ravens are dancing together

The ravens are dancing together
weaving magic in the air
all of life below them sharing
the spell of their feathers
like the ravens we’re dancing together
life is just dancing together
the ravens are dancing

Photo by Alexandr Rusnac on Unsplash

Nov 12, 2024 0

Tag: songwriting