Bohdana's Prayer
by Shay Anthony Lea
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I am donating 100% of the funds received from the purchase of this track to the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. Please select 'Buy Digital Track' above to donate. Purchases will be made in Euros. Select 'convert' to see the estimated cost of purchase in your chosen currency before purchasing. Many thanks.
Shay writes:
I was quite upset by the events that were unfolding day by day in Ukraine before and after Christmas 2021. I was so shocked when the invasion came on 24th February 2022 and was moved to write ‘Bohdana’s Prayer’ to somehow express my deep sadness at these events.
Bohdana is a young girl who is sheltering in a makeshift bunker with her mother, sister and grandparents. Her father is not with them, we can guess why. The bombs continue to fall around them and the song mirrors her upset, her fears and total shock and confusion at what is going on in her country. Her prayer is for an end to fighting and a longing for peace. The words cause us to empathise with her and with her we too hope for a return to normality, to her country and her home. We share her heartbreak for all the people who have suffered, including her own family. The song translates the global, universal struggle against conflict and suffering into the personal. At the song’s end we are drawn to join with the many voices, and especially the joined hands, affirming their right to peace and to freedom.
The Irish Red Cross would like to thank Shay Lea for composing this beautiful and thought-provoking song, the proceeds of which are very kindly being donated to the IRC Ukraine Crisis Appeal. “Bodhana’s Prayer” wonderfully captures the mindset of a child caught up in the current crisis and we are so grateful to Shay for his generosity and for helping to remind us of the terrible impact conflicts of this kind can have. Charles Lamson, Head of Fundraising, Irish Red Cross
Shay writes:
I was quite upset by the events that were unfolding day by day in Ukraine before and after Christmas 2021. I was so shocked when the invasion came on 24th February 2022 and was moved to write ‘Bohdana’s Prayer’ to somehow express my deep sadness at these events.
Bohdana is a young girl who is sheltering in a makeshift bunker with her mother, sister and grandparents. Her father is not with them, we can guess why. The bombs continue to fall around them and the song mirrors her upset, her fears and total shock and confusion at what is going on in her country. Her prayer is for an end to fighting and a longing for peace. The words cause us to empathise with her and with her we too hope for a return to normality, to her country and her home. We share her heartbreak for all the people who have suffered, including her own family. The song translates the global, universal struggle against conflict and suffering into the personal. At the song’s end we are drawn to join with the many voices, and especially the joined hands, affirming their right to peace and to freedom.
The Irish Red Cross would like to thank Shay Lea for composing this beautiful and thought-provoking song, the proceeds of which are very kindly being donated to the IRC Ukraine Crisis Appeal. “Bodhana’s Prayer” wonderfully captures the mindset of a child caught up in the current crisis and we are so grateful to Shay for his generosity and for helping to remind us of the terrible impact conflicts of this kind can have. Charles Lamson, Head of Fundraising, Irish Red Cross
lyrics
LYRICS
Stuck inside all the day, wondering if the bombs have gone away
Here in the cold, the dark, I’d rather be playing in the park
Mama says I must be quiet, soon it will be alright
She said our friends will come to help us, they said they would not desert us
Dido says I must be strong, Tato’s coming back, he’ll not be long
I feel a pain in my heart, don’t know why we’re all apart
Baby sestra cries all night long, Baba sang her favourite song
Older ones so full of fear, sound of gunshot now so near
Why do they do this, I can’t understand?
Why do they want to hurt us, drive us from our land
At night I pray the Lord to keep, us all alive while we’re asleep
Those bad men in their beds at night, they know what’s wrong, they know what’s right
Please God make them stop this war, what is all the killing for?
‘Cos In the end we’re all the same, end the suffering, end the pain
Some day soon, all will be well, we’ll live in our own town again
Go back home to our land, rebuild our homes, hand in hand
Then we’ll pray for all those gone, for all we lost and nothing won
No more Tato, never more, Mama’s broken heart so sore
Why do they do this, I don’t understand?
Why do they want to hurt us, drive us from our land
Why do they do it, people only want
To live in peace, with each other,
Free from Fear
Free to Live
Free to Speak
Free to Love
Free to Dream
Free to Hope
Free to Live
Free……..
Stuck inside all the day, wondering if the bombs have gone away
Here in the cold, the dark, I’d rather be playing in the park
Mama says I must be quiet, soon it will be alright
She said our friends will come to help us, they said they would not desert us
Dido says I must be strong, Tato’s coming back, he’ll not be long
I feel a pain in my heart, don’t know why we’re all apart
Baby sestra cries all night long, Baba sang her favourite song
Older ones so full of fear, sound of gunshot now so near
Why do they do this, I can’t understand?
Why do they want to hurt us, drive us from our land
At night I pray the Lord to keep, us all alive while we’re asleep
Those bad men in their beds at night, they know what’s wrong, they know what’s right
Please God make them stop this war, what is all the killing for?
‘Cos In the end we’re all the same, end the suffering, end the pain
Some day soon, all will be well, we’ll live in our own town again
Go back home to our land, rebuild our homes, hand in hand
Then we’ll pray for all those gone, for all we lost and nothing won
No more Tato, never more, Mama’s broken heart so sore
Why do they do this, I don’t understand?
Why do they want to hurt us, drive us from our land
Why do they do it, people only want
To live in peace, with each other,
Free from Fear
Free to Live
Free to Speak
Free to Love
Free to Dream
Free to Hope
Free to Live
Free……..
credits
released September 9, 2022
Shay Anthony Lea: Music, Lyrics, Guitar, Vocals
Granville Edwards: Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, multi-instrumentation and midi programming.
Nikki & Lindsay: Vocals (thanks for putting up with our many 'suggestions'!)
Music Production: Granville Edwards at Puddbag Studios, Bedfordshire
Recording and production was completed in Puddbag Cottage Studios during July and August 2022
Many thanks to the Red Cross for their support and encouragement in completing this.
Shay Anthony Lea: Music, Lyrics, Guitar, Vocals
Granville Edwards: Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, multi-instrumentation and midi programming.
Nikki & Lindsay: Vocals (thanks for putting up with our many 'suggestions'!)
Music Production: Granville Edwards at Puddbag Studios, Bedfordshire
Recording and production was completed in Puddbag Cottage Studios during July and August 2022
Many thanks to the Red Cross for their support and encouragement in completing this.
license
all rights reserved
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about
Shay Anthony Lea Wicklow, Ireland
I grew up listening to everything: charts, soul, folk, rock, Motown, country. I learnt to play on Dad's guitar and as a lefty learnt to play right-handed! Loved music as a small kid, early influences growing up: James Taylor, Paul Simon, Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Steely Dan, America, Eagles, Richard Thompson etc. I live in Wicklow, walk my dogs in the mountains and wait for the inspiration. ... more
discography
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Apr 2023 -
Dec 2022 -
Sep 2022 -
Aug 2020 -
Jun 2020
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