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about

This track is about the formation and operation of the FAU and how Philip Noel-Baker, a Quaker who went on to do great things, started it all off with a letter to other young Quakeres at the commencement of WW1. The story is told from the perspective of a private at the front.

lyrics

1. Soldier
Machine guns, whistles, all stopped now.
Smoke curling all around.
The air is full of screaming.
Have all my mates gone down?
Why are my legs not moving?
What is happening to the sky?
O God, where are you Mammy?
Is this where I’m bound to die?

2. Girlfriend
What happened to the feather
that I gave you on that night?
When I said I couldn’t love you
with no courage for the fight.
When you turned from me forever,
tears welling in your eye.
How could I know then, dearest one,
you were going off to die?

3 Narrator
The very month war was declared
a young man wrote a letter,
Inviting those who would not fight
to serve in something better.
To rescue victims, sick and maimed.
To offer safe relief,
Without regard from where they come,
regardless of belief.

CHORUS
Come those who don’t believe in war,
Quakers, conchies, women, men
Climb aboard Friends Ambulance.
Save lives instead of taking them.

4.Soldier
I lay within that shell hole,
sky darkening to night,
a body landed down beside me.
A voice, a ray of light.
As we lay there through the darkness,
though only just alive,
His will, determination
let me hope we would survive.

Funny how I remember now.
His name was Phillip I am sure
He filled that night with talk of peace.
A world with no more war.
Later, I recall rough ground.
By others I was borne.
Then lying in a canvas cot
Disbelief, another morn.

6. Narrator.
Quakers, conchies, women, men,
1300, more, answered the call.
Two million miles by ambulance.
Train, ships, hospitals.
And some they died upon the field
to save so many others.
Bravery, peace, hand in hand,
Our sisters and our brothers.

CHORUS
Come those who don’t believe in war,
Quakers, conchies, women, men.
Climb aboard Friends Ambulance.
Save lives instead of taking them.

credits

from Quaker Songs. NOW FREE to stream AND download!, released July 2, 2013

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Eden Thomas

Eden Thomas is a folk singer/song writer and has, in his time, owned several boats on the sea, lakes, rivers and canals. He served in the merchant navy, been a university lecturer, and founded, operated then sold a hi tec IT company, before becoming a Quaker chaplain. Now, happily, he is completely retired and walks the dog.. ... more

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