So I've been ironing out the last projects that were started on FL Studio 11 before finally putting that version of the software to rest -- since I don't want to be substituting every single last instance of Fruity Soundfont Player on already written songs with TX16Wx -- and... I came across this song.

I wrote this in March of this year, at the very start of lockdown, and it was originally intended to be a piece where many voices would join me -- but I was speaking with a good few musician friends at the time I had finished up the structure of this instrumental and none of us were particularly feeling up to singing something like this.

I spent this morning recording two songs, this and another, much bigger project. This song was a slight detour, as it only really involved the one voice take, but I wanted to feel the words that I wrote to this song as best as I could. Even after months have passed and we've seen so many things we took as given break down before our very eyes, even after we've seen change, decay and preventable death everywhere... I like to think that the sentiment of this song still stands. The simplicity of the song makes me very nervous and vulnerable, but I suppose that it is good to be vulnerable, as an artist.

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LYRICS

This is my song to the friends who are lonely.

I'm hoping that you will give ear

and perhaps find the strength

to keep the light burning

until the dawn breaks on us all.

The long night is here;

though the sun may be shining,

we have to hide in our homes

like we do in the night-time

to keep ourselves safe

for the life that the new day shall bring.

REFRAIN:

So let's keep the light shining bright;

we may be alone,

but we're in this together;

if we can't be strong,

then let us remember

that the long-promised dawn will surely come.

To those who are able:

give bread to the hungry,

give whatever you can to relieve

all the suffering around you,

to wipe away the tears

of those grieving their loved ones who die.

And to you who are weeping,

let me weep with you,

for I know just how hard it can be

to be brave by your lonesome

when no one else is.

Let me give you my heart from afar.

(to REFRAIN)