Disaster At Aberfan

from Sceptre by Laurie Shaw

/

lyrics

They chased the landslide down the hill
Raised the alarm but they were too late
Some foresaw it in a previous dream
And drew pictures of the dark black rain
Falling hard on the playing fields
And the ceiling just split in two
A disaster in Aberfan

The Prince of Thieves and his cut throat guild
Smelt opportunity in the grief
Spilt cups for the parents pale
No tears left to cry anymore
John Collins lost everything
He sang ballads on the odd weekend
Before disaster in Aberfan
Before the disaster in Aberfan

She saw the photo of his ashen face
She said that widower needs a friend
She wrote to him her condolenses
A few years later they were married in the Spring
A silver ring and a second chance
Nothing foretold what that the days would bring
Disaster in Aberfan

Smoke rolls on the Merthyr Vale
Here comes the Duke in his hunting hat
He was thin like a put on smile
You were looking at your dead boys’ clothes

As night fell, did it all sink in
The deep ravines of pain and loss
Can’t be softened by your name in print
Death tolls climbing like the moon
The Prince of Wales said “shake my hand”
With respect, don’t think you understand
Our disaster in Aberfan

The tender stem of a life un-spent
The roof mender and his singing wife
They got old, their house got sold
Love undeclared for the teacher in training
It’s raining hard, trying to sink the past
A boy with a cold lost his whole damn class
In the disaster in Aberfan
Disaster in Aberfan
Disaster in Aberfan
Disaster in Aberfan

credits

from Sceptre, released November 4, 2022

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Laurie Shaw Kenmare, Ireland

Laurie Shaw is a Wirral-born songwriter and producer. He now dwells in Ireland where he records from his mountain retreat. He often gigs in Cork, Dublin and the Merseyside area. He has released around 100 albums to date (all of which are available on request). ... more

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