On Memorial Day 2014, A Song for Dead Soldiers – “Let Them In”

by Robert Wilkinson

Today we have a simple song dedicated to dead soldiers everywhere.

From one site, “’Let Them In’ was made into song by John Gorka from a poem found in a hospital in the Philippines during World War II. The nurse that found the poem kept it all these years until the recent war brought out all the memorabilia. Luckily, her daughter sent a copy to John."

“Let Them In”

Music by John Gorka

Let them in, Peter,
They are very tired
Give them couches where the angels sleep
And light those fires

Let them wake whole again
To brand new dawns
Fired with the sun
Not wartime's bloody guns

May their peace be deep
Remember where the broken bodies lie
God knows how young they were
To have to die
God knows how young they were to have to die

Give them things they like
Let them make some noise
Give roadhouse bands, not golden harps
To these our boys

And let them love, Peter
'Cause they've had no time
They should have trees and bird songs
And hills to climb

The taste of summer in a ripened pear
And girls sweet as meadow winds
With flowing hair

Tell them how they are missed
And say not to fear
It's gonna be alright
With us down here

Let them in, Peter...

If you want to know more about this song, poet Elma Dean, and the history of the lyrics, please check out The Best Anti-War Song Ever. It's very deep and informative, and has another video of John performing this profound song.

War is over if we want it. War no more.

© Copyright 2014 Robert Wilkinson