Daughters & Sons / Love Will Light The Way

Over the past several years, we have been inundated with images of children slain at the hand of a gun. Across America, an average of ten children die each day, shot by guns. How many more children must die before we as a society come to our collective senses?

As the parent of a daughter and son, it occurred to me that music could help to change the attitude of Americans towards guns. Music is a powerful medium, and gives us the opportunity to stop and reflect about issues that matter to us. I sat down and penned the words to Daughters and Sons. This song is a tribute to our slain children and a rallying cry to parents. Sonny Geraci's rendition of this song is exactly what I envisioned when I conceived the song. And the fine music of my song-writing partner Tony Bodanza underscores the message.

Also included on this CD are the additional songs Love Will Light The Way and Precious & Few, the live version. Love Will Light The Way was inspired by comments of Barbra Streisand at her January 1, 2000, Timeless Millennium concert performance in Las Vegas, Nevada. This song is magnificently performed by Debi Lewin, one of America's great female vocalists. Love Will Light The Way reminds us that the promise of tomorrow is the child of today. And Precious & Few tells us to cherish the time that we have with our loved ones.

I hope that these songs can make a difference. I ask only that you listen to the message of these songs and think about what we as a society can do to stop the madness.

A Million Candles

Hold a million candles to the sky,

For our sons and daughters raise them high.

Let the world hear a mother's cry,

And a new light shine on you and I.

Hal Pollock

Cover Photo:

A young couple embrace on Sunday, April 25, 1999, at a memorial service for the victims of the Columbine High School shooting rampage in Littleton, CO. (AP photo/Eric Gay)

Daughters And Sons

Who is this child we bury today?

Only one of our Daughters And Sons.

Will the killing end here,

Or must we live in fear,

That the horror has only begun?

What can we do, to undo what we've done,

By showing our children the point of a gun?

Can together we stand,

And bring peace to this land?

Make it safe for our Daughters and Sons?

Chorus:

Our Daughters and Sons,

Daughters and Sons,

We show them hatred and guns,

Our own Daughters and Sons.

If we could only undo,

All the damage we've done,

To our Daughters and Sons.

We must lay down our arms,

Lift our children above.

All the madness in life,

We must teach them to love.

Let the message go out.

All across this great land.

That united we're gonna stand.

Who is to blame for what we've become?

Where did the anger and hate a/I come from?

If we place in harm's way,

Those we love every day,

Then for certain we know what will come.

Chorus

The right to bear arms,

Is the right to defend,

Not the right to take innocent lives.

Let the lives of the slain,

Be an end to the pain,

Of America's husbands and wives.

Who is this child we bury today?

Only one the innocent ones.

Though we haven't learned yet,

We must never forget,

What we owe to our Daughters and Sons.

Love Will Light The Way

When I was just a child I heard a wise man say 

Put your faith in love 

And love will light the way

And what that wise man said It is just as true today 

If we put our faith in love 

Then love will light the way

In the dawn of this new era

In the light of this new day

Can we find the strength and purpose

To let love light the way?

Let peace and understanding 

Be the goals that we achieve 

For the love we give to others 

Is the love that we receive

Love is a beacon, shining bright 

For all the world to see 

If we seek a peace that's lasting 

It will shine on you and me

Let no child know of hunger 

Bring an end to hate and war 

We can make a world that's brighter 

That will last forever more

The promise of tomorrow 

Is the child of today 

With a unity of purpose 

Let us lift our voice to say

That the time is here for everyone 

To build a better day 

We can find the peace were seeking 

If we let love light the way

All songs written by

Hal Pollock and Tony Bodanza

ASCAP / Esquire Publishing, Inc.

Daughter & Sons, arranged by: Tony Bodanza,

Bob Pelander, Sonny Geraci, Rich Spina, and

Mike Crisclone. Produced by Sonny Geraci, Rich

Spina, and Mike Criscione.

Love Will Light The Way arranged by:

Tony Bodanza, Bob Pelander

American Spirit Listen to excerpt

 World Gone Mad

(A Tribute to the Fallen)

In flames and screams

Our hopes and dreams

Came crashing to the ground

The blackened skies  ,

The anguished cries

Of loved ones all around

We opened our doors    

And brought to our shores

A terror we never have known

And now they all say

It's the price that we pay

For all of the seeds we have sown

What has become of the peace that we had?

Can we find hope when we feel so sad?

Now that we know

From a fiery glow

That we live in a world gone mad

We will remember the terrible pain

And we will remember the fire and rain

Forever changed

Our lives rearranged

We vow they did not die In vain

This Is the land and the home of the free

Committed to peace and we always will be

We will survive

We will keep hope alive

We will conquer this great tragedy

To those left behind and whose loved ones are gone

The ones that so many depended upon

We hope and we pray

That with each passing day

God will give you the strength to go on

Written by:

Hal Pollock - Esquire Publishing, Inc.

Bob Pelander

American Spirit

America's bravest are going to war

To face the unknown on a far distant shore

The forces of evil are destined to fall

As American Spirit unites one and all

Chorus:

American Spirit American Pride

Will never be conquered

Though many have tried

For love of our country

For those who have died American Spirit

Is burning Inside

Now is this time we are put to the test

Until victory's ours then we never can rest

America's rivals will all soon be found

Never again to set foot on our ground

The voice of America now will be heard

In canyons and deserts, by deed and by word

And those who would harm us will all come to

hear it And know our resolve, the American Spirit

Written by:

 Hal Pollock and Tony Bodanza ASCAP / Esquire Publishing, Inc.

Introduction

September 11, 2001 is day that we will never forget, the day America lost her innocence.

In spite of the terrible disaster and the devastating loss of innocent lives, there was some good to be found beneath the rubble of that awful day. It has marked the beginning of a new era of an unprecedented sense of community and a realization that our differences as Americans are slight compared to what we have in common.

It also made us understand what real heroism is all about - the brave police, firefighters and volunteers who raced into hell on earth to save the lives of others, many making the ultimate sacrifice. The passengers on Flight 93 who stood and fought against impossible odds to save others on the ground.

September 11, 2001 was a tragedy too great to comprehend, to unspeakable for words. And yet, words are all we have.

The attack on America was an assault on freedom, and a vicious blow struck against all that we hold sacred - life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. And yet, some things remained untouched, the things that no terrorist can ever hope to defeat - a sense of unity and purpose, a new appreciation of freedom, a profound love for our flag and everything it stands for, and an iron-willed resolve to crush terrorism and bring the evil-doers to justice.

America will be stronger for all she has suffered. Americans will persevere, together, united as one. The American spirit will endure.

This song is a humble tribute to the innocent souls who lost their lives and the loved ones who mourn them. We will always remember.

It is also a tribute to those Americans, 300 million strong, who will settle for nothing less than justice, security and peace - and make things right again.

Hal Pollock