The NE SWAP (North East – Song Writer’s and Performers) group met at the Old Comrades Club on Friday for their monthly get-together. We usually take turns leading the sessions and last week it was Jim Wigfield’s. He brought along a song, as a kind of template, that we could insert our own verses into. It was a kind of narrative with each contributor writing an age-specific verse. We ‘could’ve, would’ve, should’ve done such and such, etc.. I worked with Chris Kelly who is a brilliant musician and songwriter but, I think, found this exercise rather alien. As did I, to be honest. What I’d have preferred was take away the concept and compose my own version, changing the melody and structure. However, that was not allowed and after half an hour or so we had to return and sing our section in the appropriate place. As an exercise it was fun, though, as Chris remarked, somewhat stressful to be put on the spot.

After a break we came back and went round the table singing our latest compositions. I did ‘Award Of The White Feather’ which tells the story of my uncle Ralph who was a conscientious objector in WWI and, following traumatic times in prison and later psychiatric hospital, never recovered from his illness (dying in 1962). As its the 100th anniversary of the war there’s a lot of coverage in the media – mostly applauding the sacrifice and courage of those who enlisted or were called up. They were, however, mostly ignorant of what carnage would be experienced. Maybe Ralph understood this and made a stand as a way of warning people. Of course, given the patriotic jingoism and downright misinformation put out by those in power its not surprising COs were so despised. Even if one did not agree with them one cannot deny their courage in standing up for their beliefs – I doubt if I could have. Also, was it not the freedom to dissent which gave us the moral high ground (if that’s what we had)? War is a kind of insanity (as the song says) where normally sensible and intelligent people allow emotions to dominate (see Israel – Gaza now) and where sensitive individuals might easily find it difficult to remain sane. At the end of most wars, what has been achieved? Usually, as the song goes, absolutely nothing!