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Thousands of urban towers, seen by post-war government as a fix to housing need, destroyed working class neighbourhoods and have too often proved faulty and dangerous. Grenfell Tower should be remembered as the tragedy that put an end to careless design and corporate killing. 71 people, mostly immigrants, died in the fire that consumed the block in minutes, with many more scarred in countless ways. I watch its progress “live” and start writing as the story began to unfold over the next few days. The tune in adapted from a version of the ballad “The Two Magicians.” (Child 44) as sung by A.L. Lloyd.

lyrics

A warm Wednesday night, ‘round midnight is the hour
I can hear the sirens wailing there’s a fire at Grenfell Tower
But no alarm bells ring as smoke and flames rise high
In minutes it’s all burnt up, and death has touched the sky

Chorus
Do you mourn for those who died, or rage and think on why
The innocent bear the pain and the guilty close their eyes.

A quarter to three, on the 23rd floor Mrs Ibrahim's on the phone
“The flames are getting closer, we’re trapped inside our home.
My children are here with me, there’s nowhere we can go
Now pray for us my brothers and sisters down below

Chorus

The Prime Minister hides away and reads a statement from afar
But soon the truth is plain, it would have cost a little more
To keep the people safe, who died in fear and pain
While politicians promise “It won’t happen here again.”

Chorus

Distressed, they tell their stories, the worst they’ve ever known
The tower stands in silence, a smoking black tomb stone
Who will blow the whistle, who will take the blame?
Who will sleep at night while so many die in flames?

Chorus

credits

from Misfits Migrants and Murders, released August 7, 2018
Jack, vocal and guitar; Zoe, vocal and cello; Ben, fiddle; Dominic, bass

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Jack Warshaw UK

Veteran of the 1960s folk revival, he passionately believes, writes and sings with authenticity and respect for traditional American styles and song carriers. He has met, learned from or worked with such legends as Pete, Mike and Peggy Seeger, Tom Paley, Ewan MacColl, Bob Dylan, Mississippi John Hurt, Clarence Ashley, Dave Van Ronk, Stuart Burns and many others. Watch Youtube. Bio on Wikipedia ... more

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