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Composer:   Ed Hooke
Date of Composition/Copyright:   1995
Date of Recording:    2004

Commentary
Invisible to the naked eye are the parallels between Troy’s siege & fall and a childhood traumatised by my mother’s mental illness.

Who writes history when both sides lose the war?

Can a humbler dwelling arise from these fallen stones?

- with pride and envy left in the debris?

- a richer life with simpler hopes?

My City Has Been Burned To The Ground

Some way up a hill, close to a river

and not so far from the sea

- walls built by a God they say.

I prayed to the Maiden

to the Nymph and to the Crone.

What had I done or failed to do?

No mercy came.

My city has been burned to the ground.

As one we choke when Hector falls

- a corpse dragged round outside these walls.

My city has been burned to the ground.

Under siege we were slowly torn apart.

I shrieked visions of doom.

What's left now of my family?

I weep for you, Troilus, Polyxena, Astyanax.

I weep for my parents who could not foresee
but tried to cope.

Who writes our story now we've lost the war?

Well hitherto we have been blessed

but now our Goddess is undressed.

My city has been burned to the ground.

Where once fair Fortune gazed and smiled

our sacred places are defiled.

My city has been burned to the ground.

For wealth is not material.

Wealth cannot be kept within walls.

So count the stars,

watch the clouds,

breathe the air

and let them go.

They argue what it was about

- Hellespont trade or Helen's pout?

My city has been burned to the ground.

Oh Paris they say you're to blame.

You followed love - I'd probably do the same.

My city has been burned to the ground.

Twin Helenus was caught.

Some say it was his fatal gift that gave us all away.

My city has been burned to the ground.

Gentle Andromache, yes, mourn,

now twice bereaved but you survive

and you shall learn to live again.