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(11 replies, posted in Poems)

Jim that poem The Charge of the Light Brigade By Alfred, Lord Tennyson  I often think of that verse in it
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
   Someone had blundered.
   Theirs not to make reply,
   Theirs not to reason why,
   Theirs but to do and die.
   Into the valley of Death
   Rode the six hundred.

Phill you are right the days when Kings and Generals had to show valour by leading their troops into battle deserved respect. In the wars that followed that where the commanders gave orders from their safe positions many lifes were used as  cannon fodder by the powers that controlled them and were butchered like lambs at the slaughter. The Gallipoli campaign was  a major stuff up by the commanders. By the time the campaign ended, more than 130,000 men had died: at least 87,000 Ottoman soldiers and 44,000 Allied soldiers, including more than 8700 Australians. Among the dead were 2779 New Zealanders, about a sixth of all those who had landed on the peninsula.  The Gallipoli campaign was a relatively minor aspect of the First World War. The number of dead, although horrific, pales in comparison with the casualties on the Western Front in France and Belgium. Nevertheless, for New Zealand, along with Australia and Turkey, it has great significance.
In Turkey, the campaign marked the beginning of a national revival. The Ottoman hero of Gallipoli, Mustafa Kemal, would eventually become, as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding President of the Turkish Republic. In New Zealand (and Australia), Gallipoli helped foster a developing sense of national identity. Those at home were proud of how their men had performed on the world stage, establishing a reputation for fighting hard in difficult conditions.
Anzac Day grew out of this pride. First observed on 25 April 1916, the date of the landing has become a crucial part of the fabric of national life – a time for remembering not only those who died at Gallipoli, but all New Zealanders who have served their country in times of war and peace.   I will attach the song The Band Sang Waltzing Matilda which I think is a good song about that bit of history that started ANZAC day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZqN1glz4JY

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(9 replies, posted in Recording)

That came out good Russell.     

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(11 replies, posted in Poems)

Cheers Phill the thought that someone can press a button and start a nuclear war scares me. Thankfully the powerful have been saber-rattling around weapons of destruction so far in modern times. France wasnt very happy with New Zealand back in the eighties protesting against their nuclear bomb testing on Moruroa, atol in the south Pacific. It  ended up in 1985 with the bombing and sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, by the French foreign intelligence service. The ship,  was  berthed at a wharf on Auckland harbour New Zealand. The pandemic here even though people  are in their safety bubbles  has brought out a good community spirit. Now things have slowed down they have time to stop look at nature and talk to each other even though it is from a distance.  We are just hoping the big job losses and pain will pass and we will come out of this stronger and better. HOPE is leading us on.     
Today  Saturday here is Anzac Day it  is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served. The Covid-19 lockdown has cancelled Anzac services today, but this morning thousands of Kiwis are not letting it stop them paying their respects.
Up and down the country, New Zealanders gathered at their letterboxes, front doors and living rooms as part of a "Stand at Dawn" campaign, many also were tuning in to a live stream of a virtual Anzac Day services. On my street  at 6am many stood at the front of their houses quietly in rememberance while the Last Post was played and the RSA ode was read out.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
This is the fourth stanza from Laurence Binyon's poem For the Fallen. Referred to here as the Returned Service Association  Ode of Remembrance

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(311 replies, posted in Bands and artists)

CG good  find Val does some good down to earth household blues.     

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(11 replies, posted in Poems)

Thank you EB I hope my written rantings make sense it is a follow on from that old saying hope springs eternal.


Cheers Phill  when  I  wrote  about Invaders and Oppressors I was looking at  it on a global history basis  which could be any country or race in the world. At sometime in history whether it be world wars,  people in Nazi concentration camps  or way back further people and tribes have invaded others or have been invaded themselves. To me what happens is the spirit of hope drives people on when times are bad. Even if  we go back a short time in global history some major events such as the 1914 to 1918 world war followed by the 1918 to 1920 flu pandemic, followed nine years later in 1929 to 1939 by the world wide depression followed by the 1939 to 1945 world war and so on, people went through alot. They wouldnt have got through without some sort of faith and hope in their aspirational thoughts. Because of hope their courage and resilience didn't  desert them. My mother who is 99 years young has told me this is the time for this generation to experience a global threat and they should come out of it better in the long term. Another chapter in history's rollercoaster ride, but for some of our young ones sacrifice is a foreign word because everything has gone good for them so far. I must qualify that further even in modern times some young ones have been through fires , hurricanes, earthquakes and shootings just to name a few things and this has helped shape their world view bringing out the best in some of them and the worst in others. This pandemic will do the same on a bigger global scale.
Wishing you and your family good health.

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(11 replies, posted in Poems)

My Friend Hope.
Looking out my window at home.
Waiting for time to change.
Deep down in a canyon inside my soul.
The voice of my unseen companion is urging me on.
My invisable companion’s  name is Hope has been around since before I was put on this planet and made to float on the sea of life.
Back in history when the invaders came Hope was there urging us on.
My ancestors oppressors couldn’t see Hope leading my  people on.
The enemy flooded in with their mean spirit grabbing all they could.
Treating our people with contempt an arrogant  enemy  could not see Hope lifting our peoples spirits pushing them on.
Bigger than our solar system with more power than the hundred billion stars in the Milky Way an almighty force sent by God surged through their broken bodies and veins.
Strong in spirit inspired by Hope the enemy had their evil arrogance stripped.
They ripped and tore our bodies but they couldnt destroy our souls.
Strong in spirit pushed on by Hope our people were victorious.
Now here I am in a hole looking for light  knowing a time of change will come.
My powerful invisible friend Hope calls out to me,” this is  nothing there is light out there.”
Stay calm count your blessings.
I your friend  Hope have been through far worse than this. 

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(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Phill those lyrics fit a situation I know of . A young man I know lost his wife recently leaving him with a young  family and your lyrics fit perfect.
Wishing you and your family good health.     

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(2 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

EB that has got a good flow to it. I cant wait to hear you  do it  as a song it is made for the blues. The hermit in me has been loving this time at home living in a bubble but I don't want it to last forever. It also has been a good oportunity for me to look in on the good folks of chordie. I wonder what has happen to our other Kiwi representative Jandle I can't recall seen her on here when I look in?  Most probably I look in at the wrong times.     

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(23 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Amy
I agee with Jim that is a beautiful song I am late to the party also. Come back to chordie again Amy  we miss you.
Pete     

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(3 replies, posted in Poems)

Phill thank you  I hope you  and your family are keeping safe and well.
Jim  I love your song. smile    Thank you for thinking of me you have wonderful songwriting talent.

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(2 replies, posted in My local band and me)

Nice one Curt is that you playing the electric guitar solo ?     

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(5 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Mr Dude excellent a family that plays together stays together.     

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(3 replies, posted in Poems)

Hello everyone I hope you are keeping safe and well. A tui is a native bird here in New Zealand.  Here is a poem I wrote about the lockdown.
The Tui’s Lament
It’s morning, someone has wiped the stars off my windows.
No blackness and little lights flickering.
Now there is blue sky and clouds moving by.
As I head out into a deserted land a Tui yells at me.
Why arent people  heading to the  city I want this place for me.
No more noisy cars ,trucks and taxis singing with me.
In  the morning when I sing my song it’s only birds and me.
Even the neighbourhood cats have given up chasing me 

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(3 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

DE that is brilliant you started of my day good, I also love the way you support the community.     

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(311 replies, posted in Bands and artists)

Cheers CG.  Darren put a single out last week of his up coming album Getting Sober for the End of the World,  on Spotify. So if anyone is interested give   it a whirl. Keep up the good work CG. If your wondering about the getting Sober bit Darren gave up alcohol a while back.



http://open.spotify.com/album/6LZgW3xLpPh0XP5w111YRn
Getting Sober for the End of the World, an album by Darren Watson on Spotify

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(2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Beamer those lyrics are bang on and clever.     

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(4 replies, posted in My local band and me)

Thank you Jim your a good teacher.: smile

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(4 replies, posted in My local band and me)

Cheers Jim  New Zealand went Metric  back in 1976. I still think in feet in inches when it comes to peoples heights.  When I think of weights I think in pounds and stones. When I buy food I think in grams and kilos. I used a bit echo on the recording also the laptop mike made things sound a bit differant. I love the way you put that smile thing on there I havent figured out how to do that.
Wishing you and your family good health.
Stay healthy and safe everyone.
Pete

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(311 replies, posted in Bands and artists)

CG I was pleasantly surprised to see a kiwi musician on your Blues Friday he is a much respected  hard working musician in our part of the woods.
Cheers Pete     

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(2 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

CG thank you that is good to see a kiwi  blues artist given exposure on your Friday blues.  He has a new album coming out soon.  He also is a guitar teacher. If anyone is interested in learning how to play the Delta Blues he has free tuition videos on youtube. I will attach one as there might be people who are at home who want to have a go due to being in lockdown at home.      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_0t4yxzE48

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(4 replies, posted in My local band and me)

Hi everyone I dusted of my guitar and wrote this song this morning called Covid Love. I hope everyone is keeping well and staying safe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agMR6g8xoFs

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(12 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Gord Welcome to Chordie I don't know the answer to your question but I am sure someone on here will. The song you posted up there reads good.     

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(4 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Good one EB. For those who don't know all over New Zealand teddy bears and their soft toy mates are looking out of windows..The trend, which has become popular all around the world during the coronavius pandemic, is aimed at cheering up children as they get some fresh air in their neighbourhoods.     

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(2 replies, posted in My local band and me)

Cheers Phill  Maree and I are treating being home as been safe at home rather than stuck at home. Apart from missing having a few beers with locals and interesting talks while out its all good knowing it will pass. Maree is not a great fan of my musical attempts though she  loved the idea of me putting my love for her out there. The phone and internet have been a great asset. Maree likes differant TV to me so we watch differant things. Maree and I had our Flu vaccination  done yesterday it was like something out of  science fiction movie. Doctors and nurses other staff in protective gear. Markers to keep people going in and out  two meters apart. Going in and going out we had to sanitise our hands. My mother who is 99 is not enjoying been in lockdown in her village. No visitors allowed  apart from the cleaner who has to keep a two meter distance and also the delivery of  food and supplies  by village staff and security.           
Stay safe stay well.     

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(1 replies, posted in My local band and me)

Love and respect to all who work in health. Good song Grah.