Remembering the fallen, working for peace

Saturday 10th November 2018

John Bell's hymn "If the war goes on"

John Bell's hymn " if the war goes on " sung to the tune The Road to Basra gives pause for deep thought this Remembrance Sunday as we reflect with thankfulness for all those who have served to preserve freedom but with deep concern over our arms sales furthering needless destruction across the world.

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IF THE WAR GOES ON

If the war goes on

and the children die of hunger,

and the old men weep

for the young men are no more,

and the women learn

how to dance without a partner

who will keep the score?

If the war goes on

and the truth is taken hostage;

and new terrors lead

to the need to euphemise,

when the calls for peace

are declared unpatriotic,

who'll expose the lies?

If the war goes on

and the daily bread is terror,

and the voiceless poor

take the road as refugees;

when a nation's pride

destines millions to be homeless,

who will heed their pleas?

If the war goes on

and the rich increase their fortunes

and the arms sales soar

as new weapons are displayed,

when a fertile field

turns to-no-man's-land tomorrow,

who'll approve such trade?

If the war goes on

will we close the doors to heaven,

if the war goes on,

will we breach the gates of hell;

if the war goes on,

will we ever be forgiven,

if the war goes on....

Words & music John L. Bell & Graham Maule, music John L. Bell, copyright @ 1999, 2001, 2002 WGRG, Iona Community Glasgow G2 3DH, Scotland.