Safe From Glass (Rahkoi, Monique, Donna)

[Donna]

On a freezing cold evening last November, police were alerted to the body of a newborn infant in an underground glass disposal unit in Den Haag. The image haunted me for months, and I was compelled to write a lullaby for the child. Rahkoi, a young composer in Finland, saw the lyric and came up with the lovely bedtrack.

Music/arrangement/instrumentation: 'Rahkoi' (Pekka Kolehmainen)
Vocals: Monique French
Lyrics & melody: Donna Devine

Safe From Glass

(v1)
Oh, what a cold wind
Blew into the room
As your tiny head crowned
Like a blossom of doom
Such a hard journey
To come to this place
And oh such a pity
The girl fell from grace

Chorus
In my imagination
I'll keep you warm as toast
Wrap you in a bunny rug
Cherish you the most
When you cry I'll comfort
Won't let the bad things last
And when the world around you breaks
I'll keep you safe from glass

(v2)
Little one, brittle one
Under the street
At first unbeknown
To a passer-by's feet
Pierced by sharp edges
The slivers, the shards
[The] things we acquire
Then quickly discard

Bridge
What a delicate thread
In life's random web
No hello, no goodbye
No choice
[But] I hope you can hear this cradle song
Sung in a stranger's voice

Chorus
In my imagination
I'll keep you warm as toast
Wrap you in a bunny rug
Cherish you the most
When you cry I'll comfort
Won't let the bad things last
And when the world around you breaks
I'll keep you safe from glass

� 2011 Donna Devine

[mickbrit55]

That's very beautiful Donna. Excellent lyrics for such a delicate subject. Music and arrangement are first rate, and Moniques' voice is stunning. Shades of Loreena McKennitt. Well done indeed.

Mick.

[Billy]

Ah! Rahkoi went for a lovely waltz (3/4) which works really well. The cellos (I can here more than one in places - it may even be a viola?), piano and harp capture all the aspects of the lyrical content. There is coldness represented by the stern sounding cello lines with the piano adding some warmth
but the harp really adds an almost angelic voicing. There is plenty of room to allow Monique to soar especially during the chorus and makes great use of her semi - operatic versatility. You know how I feel about about Monique and her gift. A stunning and creative arrangement by Rahkoi  which is rich in flow and sensitivity. An excellent collaboration.

The Lyrics.

Donna, I find the story for most part, quite distressing. What an absolutely horrific and brutal end to a tiny little life. I think your previous job as a reporter has given you a great insight. I like the way you have given us the cold facts but into the story you have woven so much compassion and a  mother's natural instinct to love and protect which was sadly missing from the child's own mother.

A unique gift you have for telling a story.

Billy.

[Paulo]

OUC!!!!!  ... What a piece, man!!!! I'm Speechless... Holly cow!!! Damn good, folks 

[Donna]

Mick, Billy, and Paulo, thanks so much for having a look and a listen. 
I know it's not an 'easy' song. 

I agree, Billy, that Rahkoi did a splendid job with the music. So many nuances.

Donna

[Studioplayer]

Sad story. Too bad it had to end in a song. 

[docmidnite]

Leaves me breathless with open mouth...
Unbelievably sad and great at same time, everything matches so perfectly together from matter, lyrics, arrangement instrumentation and voice!!!

[clirma]

wow

[Captain fantastic]

Very nice.

[Donna]

Dave, doc, clirma, and Captain fantastic, I appreciate you all commenting.
It's not easy listening.