A few years ago one of my poems, “Passing Stranger”, was published in a collection: “Poems For Peace”. The poem was inspired when I saw a young couple and their child playing beside a war memorial, but seemingly not really “seeing” it. I imagined the ghost of one of those named on the memorial enviously watching them, yearning for that family life that they themselves had been so tragically denied by war. The poem “Passing Stranger” was what I imagined the ghost would say. Especially poignant now with the situation in Ukraine, but sadly the words could be carved on a universal memorial, in all cities, at any time, and always be relevant. The poem was worded so as to speak for the lost of all sides, friend and foe, military and civilian, of all countries, and I made it into a song. You can read the lyrics here.
Production Credits:
Recorded and mixed by Isi Clarke grangefarmstudio.com.
Mastering: Michael Cockerham, Syke Lane Audio.
Steve O’Kane: Vocals, Faith Venus guitar, Fender Precision Bass, Harmonica, Eggs, Keyboard.
Dave Jackson: Drums, percussion, and Ndjuka.
Fiona O’Kane: Backing harmonies.
“Please To Remember Us” Ghost Choir: Isi Clarke, Neil Cousin, Fiona O’Kane, Steve O’Kane
Words and Music S. O’Kane
