More than a Cathedral

A soldier writes to his refugee wife explaining his current situation and giving her the latest news from home.
LYRICS & CHORDS:
Intro: (Bm) (F#m) (E) (A)
(A) Dearest Alexia,
Re(D)member how we scrimped and saved
To af(F#m)ford to hire the cathedral
(E) On our wedding day
The (A) sacrifices we had made
For (F#m) both our parents' sake
(Bm) Memories to (F#m) treasure
That have (E) now been taken a(A)way
(A) Once more our foe has broken a vow
To res(D)pect our common heritage
A (F#m) missile landed in the night
You can (E) guess where it hit
The (A) copper dome lies on the ground
The (F#m) stained glass shattered into bits
(Bm) Half burned icons (F#m) scattered round
(E) Smouldering fires still (A) lit
(A) You asked why I had chosen to fight
Your (D) answer on the corner lies
We (F#m) face a barbarous enemy
That could (E) do such an evil thing
Our (A) homes and customs we defend
The (F#m) honour of our mother tongue
All (Bm) we hold dear in (F#m) ruins lie
'Cept the (E) faith to which we (A) cling
(A) You ask if I have fear my dear
There are (D) times when I am terrified
But I (F#m) keep your photo by my heart
In what's (E) left of this ghost town
Of (A) course I miss you and the kids
But my (F#m) blood boils as I watch this sight
The (Bm) bulldozers have (F#m) come today
To (E) tear the cathedral (A) down

[@chaoslibrarian]

Fabulous storytelling, Berni! I agree an introspective performance would be interesting, but I like your more martial approach as well! This song has more anger in it than resignation, and the protagonist's mission is clear in his mind.

[@berniarmstrong]

Thanks. I think I was very influenced by the fact I wrote this as an unaccompanied song initially.
(Ha Ha… My auto correct turned "fact" into "cat" - so it read "I was very influenced by the cat" )

[@michaelhermiston]

a strong song Berni ...timely, containing lots of ironies..... i liked the production, the padding and substance to the music, your singing might be a bit too theatrical...it might have been more powerful if the protagonist's voice was quieter and more resigned

[@berniarmstrong]

Yes, I get the "theatrical" criticism. I suppose I thought it might give the narrator a more macho, "soldier at the front", feel. But yes, it's probably over dramatic or even verging on operatic!!!

[@michaelhermiston]

@@berniarmstrong it's all a choice in performance... i hadn't thought of "macho soldier" intention...i can see that now