Music

Ron Lindeman War child – Live at the Oostvaarders Singer-songwriters Event August 15th, 2021

 

Sunday August 15th, 2021 I organized the Oostvaarders Singer-songwriter Event at the Nature Expercience Center at the nature reserve the Oostvaardersplassen. Five different Singer-songwriters sang and played their own original songs. This is a song I played. It’s called War child, soldier child. It’s a song about child soldiers. Unicef says about child soldiers:
“Thousands of children are recruited and used in armed conflicts across the world.
Often referred to as “child soldiers,” these boys and girls suffer extensive forms of exploitation and abuse that are not fully captured by that term. Warring parties use children not only as fighters, but as scouts, cooks, porters, guards, messengers and more. Many, especially girls, are also subjected to gender-based violence.
Children become part of an armed force or group for various reasons. Some are abducted, threatened, coerced or manipulated by armed actors. Others are driven by poverty, compelled to generate income for their families. Still others associate themselves for survival or to protect their communities. No matter their involvement, the recruitment and use of children by armed forces is a grave violation of child rights and international humanitarian law.”

War child, soldier child

 

I am a war child, a soldier child

A torn up mind

Till peace I’ll find

 

They made me watch

how my parents died

They tore me up

And raped my mind

 

The first man I shot

I looked into his eyes

And I watched him die

 

And in my heart there was a cry

I shed no tears

I just lived my lie

 

I am a war child, a soldier child

A torn up mind

till peace I’ll find

 

A girl was raped

She lost her mind

She knew  till the day she’d die

Real love she’ll never find

 

She is a war child, a soldier child

A torn up mind

Till peace she’ll find

 

We are the children of war

We kill your heart

We kill your soul

We kill your mind

Like you killed ours

 

There is no war

That was ever won

All wars are lost

Till the last battle is won

 

The ghosts of the past

They follow close behind

They won’t leave me alone

 

Be ready to fight

For the future will be

A struggle for life

 

Don’t long for softness

Don’t long for tenderness

If your heart is still raging

 

The soul is a lonely wanderer

When all is quiet

Quiet  inside of you

Reach out for the beauty

The mind is like a flower

Fragile but ready to bloom

 

I am a war child, a soldier child

A torn up mind

till peace I’ll find

 

Words and music by Ron Lindeman

Copyright Ron Lindeman

 

This song is dedicated to all the children who were forced to fight, kill and murder in wars that were not their wars and which were just created for the glory and honor and benefits of War Lords and the like. And to all those children who are still fighting in the present and who will be fighting in the future. May your hate disappear and may peace come into your hearts.