Songs of the People
We have found safety that's not for Time's throwing
We have found safety, blest security, Who is so safe as we?
Words by Rupert Brooke | Music by Sue Casson
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Our response to the Rwanda plan
We will sing a song with words by Rupert Brooke. Facing the terror of the First World War, and the anticipation of death, Brooke sought elemental safety, the kind that sees humans protected and governed by natural laws and beyond the grasp of the journeymen lawmaker. These are our universal human rights.
As David Maxwell Fyfe, who was profoundly inspired by Brooke, wrote:
Your cynic says, "Human Rights? There are none."
Your idealist, however, takes the view that there are certain rights and freedoms not created by lawyers but to which mankind as such is heir and which cannot be alienated.
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Sing with us
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1. Download music track & sheet music
This information is supplied below - scroll down this page to find lyrics to sing along.
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2. Sing!
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It only takes one voice, so don't worry about singing on your own as you are not alone, but please do spread the word to others who may wish to join you.
3. Capture the moment
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Use whatever recording device you have at your disposal to film a clip.
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4. Share on social media
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Post the clip with #songsofthepeople on your favoured social media channel as this will inspire others to continue the song.
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Words and Lyrics
David Maxwell Fyfe
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There is in each of us a sundial factor of our mentality. We are inclined only to count the sunny hours. Moreover after exhausting wars men tend to suffer a weariness of mind. This lassitude can make them shrink away from facing the limitations of human nature. It can produce a facile scepticism about their evil deeds. New generations dislike reading the history of the gas chambers, and so the fact that men claiming to be civilized put millions to death in the gas chambers slip from history.
Instrumental : Magna Carta theme underscore
David Maxwell Fyfe
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Most people approach the subject of War Crimes Trials fundamentally either as cynic or idealist. This is, I think, because in essence the case for or against trying war criminals depends on that controversial subject which has become succinctly known as human rights. Your cynic says, "Human Rights? There are none."
Your idealist, however, takes the view that there are certain rights and freedoms not created by lawyers but to which mankind as such is heir and which cannot be alienated. It is a conception akin to the idea of the Law of Nature which had such a wide influence on relationship in past centuries, although now somewhat outmoded. The idea of fundamental Human Rights is one in which I firmly believe.
We have found safety with all things undying,
The winds, and morning, tears of men and mirth,
The deep night, birds singing, and clouds flying,
And sleep, and freedom, and the autumnal earth.
We have found safety,
We have found safety that’s not for Time's throwing,
We have found safety,
Blest security,
‘Who is so safe as we?’
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David Maxwell Fyfe
If our unfortunate generation has proved one thing it has demonstrated that the barbarian is not behind us but always underneath us ready to rise up.
Canon
Deep night, morning, sleep and freedom,
The stir of wonder, birds singing, and tears of men and mirth,
We have found safety, and freedom, in the autumnal earth,
We have found safety, in winds, and clouds flying,
We have found safety, with all things undying,
We have found safety that’s not for Time's throwing,
We have found safety, and blest security,
We have found safety, and freedom, in the autumnal earth,
Deep night, morning, sleep and freedom
We have found safety with all things undying,
The winds, and morning, tears of men and mirth,
The deep night, birds singing, and clouds flying,
And sleep, and freedom, and the autumnal earth.
We have found safety
We have found safety that’s not for Time's throwing
We have found safety
Blest security,
‘Who is so safe as we?’
‘Who is so safe as we?’