1 Topic by alansheeran (edited by alansheeran 2009-01-25 09:23:10)

  • From: Belfast, Northern Ireland
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 338

Topic: Brand New Pin

This is a lyric I'm still working on.

It's about growing up in a war zone, when crazy things explode around you and you just have to cope. I was 9 when the Northern Ireland troubles exploded - and 34 when the ceasefires came - and we're still working on it - the peace that is.



Brand New Pin

How'd you like to start again,
Brand new pin in a baby pen
Looking through the bars out at the world?

Ready again to face the sun.
Ready and steady with races to run
Like this here life had never ever been.

Well you contradicted me,
Told me it could never be
That that little kid would be somebody else.

You said something about nature nurture,
My past wouldn't be their future,
Because of all the things that come by chance.

Well, what if it could be they knew
Every single thing I knew,
All the way back to the very start?

You said that for all I'd try,
That child would be sure to cry
At diff'rent things, at diff'rent times than I.

It wouldn't ever know my mother,
Or grow tall with my sister 'n' brother,
Wouldn't know the bombing and the pain.

And that one brought me to a shuddering halt,
Thinking 'bout the horrors that weren't my fault.
No child ought to grow the way I grew.

Soldiers on the streets, searches and car blasts,
The painful  pictures locked up in my past.
All the anger at the men who stole my youth.

Who would wish that a child might live,
Learn to hate and never forgive,
Or shut their wounded heart in a bitter chest.

So the kid in the pen will be set free.
Ill content with the hours in front of me,
Thanks to the therapy session on your couch.

"What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understandin' ."    Elvis Costello

alansheeran's Website

  • Registered: 2007-04-03
  • Posts: 3,489

Re: Brand New Pin

So Good young man. Captured from the innocence of a child..

I to remembered the fear of being stopped and searched. i was much older. Even though you knew you were doing nothing wrong.. My heart would clang away like the clappers.. I spent a lot of time in the North and still do.. Just 8 years ago, i stopped in a wee town to stroll and buy some gifts.. I was told in no uncertain fashion to get my Effin freestate car out of there town while i could still drive it...  I was also told another time " I was on the wrong side of the street ?..
I was back recently to the very same town with not a problem at all..
Black faces, as in painted, Commando green, guns, intimidation, i hated it all.... The predominant factor for me was always fear.

I Thank  the Lord for peace and freedom to move around this country as i wish.


Well done again to you.

Old doll.

Why Blend in with the Crowd ? When you were made to stand out !