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Edith Cavell

from Northern Sightlines by John Spearn

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lyrics

Johnny worked on the farms of the Alberta prairies, and thrived in the land of his birth
Then the war to end all wars, and adventure in Europe, he signed up to prove out his worth.
He advanced with the charge, through the gunfire and cannons, pressed on with his proud bravery
When the ground exploded in his tracks he just floated right down in the mud and debris
Gerry fought for the Kaiser when wars made us wiser in the trenches near Alsace-Lorraine
He dreamed of the Rhineland and a Fraulein so fine, but a chest wound, he struggled in vain
In a Hospice near Brussels, they awoke near each other, thank God we’re alive they did pray
I was sure I was a goner, they agreed with each other, through a sweet British nurse there that day.

Chorus:

She cared for the wounded, her heart to share, the lucky ones there did tell
Thanks and praise for a smile so rare, the soldiers, survivors of hell
At the feet of Nurse Edith Cavell

Refrain:

She calmed all the wounded, wherever they came from, she healed them and toiled with no fear
In a German advance she was caught and was questioned…she was executed that year
How could they know this fine lady so kind would be taken from them that day
The grief, and the sorrow, all mankind would borrow, in tears all the world would pray

<Repeat Chorus>

Johnny and Gerry saw armistice come, soldiers’ stories to tell
Then it happened one day, by chance two were there
Two veteran survivors of hell, in the world’s most beautiful dell
At the foot of Mount Edith Cavell.

credits

from Northern Sightlines, released January 1, 1999

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about

John Spearn Edmonton, Alberta

You’ll instantly catch these deep influences threaded through John’s fine vocals, lyrics, and rootsy, guitar-mastered songwriting works. This is pure Canadiana: forgotten but deserving heroes, the humility in our international image, and a superb range of tender ballads through to raw, foot-stompin’ stories that need to be told. ... more

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