Tribute

It’s that time of year – November Elections you say? Yes, partially correct - but importantly it’s also Veteran’s Day, November 11 th in the USA…

…or Remembrance Day in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and Ireland, Poppy Day in South Africa, and Armistice Day United Kingdom, New Zealand and many other Commonwealth countries.

It’s a day of commemoration for the sacrifice of veterans and civilians in World War I and other wars.

The story behind this inspiring musical tribute to Veterans in the form of a song, music video, and later theatrical production, written by singer Terry Kelly follows. See the YouTube Video here - turn up the sound! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kX_3y3u5Uo

On November 11, 1999 (folk singer) Terry Kelly was in a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.

At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the stores PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

When eleven o'clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the "two minutes of silence" to commence. All customers, with the exception of one man who accompanied by his young daughter, showed their respect.

Terry's anger towards the disrespectful father for trying to engage the store’s clerk (who was attempting to participate in the minutes of silence) in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was channeled positively into a beautiful work called, "A Pittance of Time". This happened in Canada but it’s a fitting tribute to Veterans in all countries.

Lyrics below and at http://www.lyricsdownload.com/terry-kelly-a-pittance-of-time-lyrics.html

You may purchase the music VHS video or DVD at: http://www.terry-kelly.com/e-store.htm

A Pittance Of Time

Written by Terry Kelly ©2001

They fought and some died for their homeland
They fought and some died now it’s our land
Look at his little child, there’s no fear in her eyes
Could he not show respect for other dads who have died?

Take two minutes, would you mind?
It’s a pittance of time
For the boys and the girls who went over
In peace may they rest, may we never forget why they died.
It’s a pittance of time

God forgive me for wanting to strike him
Give me strength so as not to be like him
My heart pounds in my breast, fingers pressed to my lips
My throat wants to bawl out, my tongue barely resists

But two minutes I will bide
It’s a pittance of time
For the boys and the girls who went over
In peace may they rest, may we never forget why they died.
It’s a pittance of time

Read the letters and poems of the heroes at home
They have casualties, battles, and fears of their own
There’s a price to be paid if you go, if you stay
Peace is fought for and won in numerous ways

Take two minutes would you mind?
It’s a pittance of time
For the boys and the girls all over
May we never forget our young become vets
At the end of the line it’s a pittance of time

It takes courage to fight in your own war
It takes courage to fight someone else’s war
Our peacekeepers tell of their own living hell
They bring hope to foreign lands that the hatemongers can’t kill.

Take two minutes, would you mind?
It’s a pittance of time
For the boys and the girls who go over
In peacetime our best still don battle dress
And lay their lives on the line.
It’s a pittance of time

In Peace may they rest, lest we forget why they died.
Take a pittance of time


©2001 All rights reserved

A Pittance of Time