Emerging  into the
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Emerging Into the Brightness of the Day

Recognise?

I am alone

In search of Cassandra, Princess of Troy

Summer Solstice Song

Güzelsin

Wedding Hymn

My City has been Burned to the Ground

January 13th

Another Mad Message

Time to Go Home

Dark Shine

My City has been
Burned to the Ground
 words & music by Ed Hooke, May 1995   -   © Ed Hooke 1995 & 2007

Some way up a hill, close to a river and not so far from the sea....
Walls built by a God, they say....

Who writes history when both sides lose the war?

I prayed to the Maiden, to the Nymph and to the Crone.
What had I done, or failed to do?
No mercy came.

My city has been burned to the ground.
As one we choke when Hector falls
- a corpse dragged round outside these walls.
My city has been burned to the ground.

Under siege we were slowly torn apart.
I shrieked visions of doom.
What's left now of my family?

Who writes our story now we've lost the war?
I weep for you, Troilus, Polyxena, Astyanax.

I weep for my parents who could not foresee, but tried to cope.

Well hitherto we have been blessed
but now our Goddess is undressed.
My city has been burned to the ground.
Where once fair Fortune gazed and smiled
our sacred places are defiled.
My city has been burned to the ground.

Can a humbler dwelling arise from these fallen stones?
- with pride and envy left in the debris?
- a richer life with simpler hopes?
For wealth is not material.
Wealth cannot be kept within walls.
So count the stars,
watch the clouds,
breathe the air
and let them go.

They argue what it was about
- Hellespont trade or Helen's pout?
My city has been burned to the ground.
Oh Paris they say you're to blame.
You followed love - I'd probably do the same.
My city has been burned to the ground.

Twin Helenus was caught.
Some say it was his fatal gift that gave us all away.
My city has been burned to the ground.
Gentle Andromache, yes, mourn,
now twice bereaved but you survive
and you shall learn to live again.