Melanie's Lay Down

Melanie and The Edwin Hawkins Singers perform "Lay Down" in Holland, 1970

This is a great video of a very young Melanie. She does a little chair dancing. The Edwin Hawkins singers rock out with their bad soul/gospel singing selves. And the shots of the Dutch audience are priceless. Such restrained emotion.

I loved this song when it came out in 1969. I was very young, but loved the passion in Melanie's voice. I had no idea the song was an anti-war song. I will paste the lyrics below.

Another year has passed and we still have a war in Iraq, famine in Africa, a civil war in Colombia, Gaza under attack, various wars being fought around the world, disease and pestilence.

I hope this new year brings peace in these regions, food on the table, and a general love between all humankind. Quixotic? Maybe. Hopeful? Definitely. But you gotta have hope. Happy New Year!

One last thing, lets hope our new president really does make a difference. Can you believe Obama will be our new president? So exciting.

Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)
Melanie

Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown

We were so close there was no room
We bled inside each other's wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace

Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown

So raise candles high 'cause if you don't
We could stay black against the night
Oh raise them higher again
And if you do we could stay dry against the rain


Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown

We were so close there was no room
We bled inside each other's wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace

Some came to sing, some came to pray
Some came to keep the dark away
So raise candles high 'cause if you don't
We could stay black against the sky
Oh oh raise them higher again
And if you do we could stay dry against the rain

Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown

Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown.....