Written by Dave about the painter and anti-war campaigner, Matthaeus Koelz, whose Trptych "Thou Shalt Not Kill" was reconstructed for a display in Leicester's New Walk Museum some years back - the full fascinating story in Simon Lake's book "The Painter's Hidden Masterpiece".
lyrics
Heaven's Gate
The journey of your life I read ,
Across the continents of mind,
Around the footsteps where I tread,
Oil, wood and canvas of your time,
Through life dismembered, disarrayed,
You held a light that cannot fade..
Hands in Prayer, Edelweiss,
Desolation, Sacrifice,
The child that in the cradle lies,
Unshield the sword and pay the price,
As crucified by church and state,
We all line up at Heaven's gate.
And all through many a darkest day,
In wilderness dark shadows move,
Uncertain enemies and friends,
Fear with long knives and twisted truth,
Though faith betrayed, honour abused,
The devil's silver you refused.
Hands in Prayer, Edelweiss,
Desolation, Sacrifice,
The child that in the cradle lies,
Unshield the sword and pay the price,
As crucified by church and state,
We all line up at Heaven's gate
And so at last your rest you found,
In dappled light of twilight shade,
AS tyrants come and Empires fall,
Your story will fill many a page,
Yet few of us could say for true,
We've lived but half a life as you.
Hands in Prayer, Edelweiss,
Desolation, Sacrifice,
The child that in the cradle lies,
Unshield the sword and pay the price,
As crucified by church and state,
We all line up at Heaven's gate
As crucified by church and state,
We all line up at Heaven's gate
I write both serious and comedy songs. 6 solo CDs to date and collaborations with Steve Cartwright -"Legends of
Leicester/Leicestershire". "All at Sea" shantyish album. Folk based for the most part - when people ask where the ideas come from I can say with honesty -"not drugs!!".. Currently working on a new album "Aspects of Lurve" hopefully out later in 2024....more