more from
Whippet Records
We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/
  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a jewel case with an attractive 16-page booklet including lyrics to all songs, beautiful individual track artwork by Keith Lawrence Palmer, a contemporary photograph of the band line-up featured on these sessions, full recording details and credits, etc.

    NB: - CD is the original 13-track version and does not include the 4 bonus tracks available with the digital version.

    IMPORTANT MESSAGE for non-UK buyers:
    Please be aware that if you are ordering from outside the UK, due to reasons beyond our control, you may be liable for additional charges, e.g. customs tax. Please note: we will NOT refund payment for any items refused or returned to us due to non-payment of these charges at point of delivery.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Power and The Glory via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days

      £4.99 GBP

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £0.69 GBP

     

lyrics

SHOT AT DAWN

See the white crosses at the top of the hill
Where foreign winds do blow
The chill air is haunting and all is still
Where the ghosts do gently moan
Young Tommy Atkins is with them
He never reached his eighteenth year
It broke his poor mother's heart in two
She never saw her young son again

Mary Johnson would never wed
Through the passing of long years
Yet the saddest grief must surely fade
After long and bitter tears
But young Tommy Atkins stole her heart
To take wherever he did go
And he lies in a field forgotten now
Far away from where the flowers of England do grow

With the eyes and ears of history
Can we judge both king and pawn
And can we point the finger of guilt
At the graves of those who were shot at dawn

Tommy Atkins was a daring soul
As brave as any man
But a scapegoat cannot defend itself
When it's made to carry the can
The disease was never diagnosed
He was marched out in the early dawn
And did they hide the disgrace of cowards
When they had him shot at dawn

Does the conscience of kings
Hide a brotherhood of thieves
That plucked the rose from the thorn
Can we wipe the blood from those fingers
That had flowers of England shot at dawn

Now the swelling pride of history
Casts a shadow over graves
Where flowers once bloomed and took the wind
But now the winds have changed
A fabled path of glory
Long trodden carries on
Remembering those who gave their lives
While condemning those shot at dawn

"So praise the heroes yea none but the brave
Three cheers for our favourite sons
A blood red poppy for a red English rose
And a curse on those cowards who were shot at dawn"

Is the simple question of life and death
One we can all understand
And will the question be ringing in your ears
"For what died the flowers of England?"

(Gary Miller)

credits

from The Power and The Glory, released April 1, 1994
Gary Miller - lead vocal, acoustic guitars
Glenn Miller - piano
Mick Tyas - bass
Paul Carless - mandolin, harmonica
Nick Buck - drums
Mike McGrother - fiddle

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Gary Miller Durham, UK

Gary Miller first rose to international prominence with folk-punk/rock pioneers The Whisky Priests (1985-2002), founded with his twin brother Glenn - “the Joe Strummer and Mick Jones of Folk Music". He now performs as a solo artist and with his new band 'Gary Miller's Big Picture' whose debut album is coming soon. ... more

contact / help

Contact Gary Miller

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Gary Miller recommends:

If you like Gary Miller, you may also like: