It is funny how a conversation can inspire the writing of a song. I had met a boy in 1989 and he had told me on how he had came to England, he told me of his imprisonment of his family for trying to flee their homeland, very sad.
Then on the news they were speaking about the hand over of Hong Kong to China and how we would be swamped by refugees. Memories of that converation with that boy and so came the song.
Verse 1
The world it sits and watch them die!
What is the price of human life?
No escape the soldiers cry!
Hope is all, so still they try.
Chorus
Why is leaving such a crime against the state?
Surely they must see, that this is a mistake?
People risking all to leave their mother land,
Fleeing to a foreign land.
Verse 2
A crowd they gather in the streets,
the government call out the police.
All these people they protest.
The government call the soldiers next.
Chorus 2
Why can’t the people be alowed to speak their mind?
Why do the governments refuse to give them rights?
Oh I feel angry, its a waste of human life,
I see the people die.
Verse 3
I met a boy from Vietnam,
he said we just don’t understand.
He was in prison at the age of four,
declared a trator to the state
Chorus
Why is leaving such a crime against the state?
Surely they must see, that this is a mistake?
People risking all to leave their mother land,
Fleeing to a foreign land.
(c) 1990 Words & Music John Robert Hunter
(p) 2019 Sentric Music Publishing
RECORDING NOTES
Title track of our unreleased album, once again displays how Rupert Hine rehashes the demos. Considering his what he was paid and due to earn in royalties, I can’t help but feel that he brought anything positive to the table.
In the case of this song the whole recording was lifted off our original 8Track tapes and copied across. The original version I feel has more warmth to it but find out for yourself.
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