Credits: Words by Larry Reynolds. Music and Performance
by Roy Rivers. Copyright (c) 2003, Larry Reynolds, All Rights Reserved
Story Behind the Song- by Roy Rivers
Over 2 years ago, my friend Larry Reynolds approached me with a poem
he'd written about his experiences while serving in Vietnam. He asked if
I could put his words to music. I accepted, thinking it would be an easy
enough task. How hard could it be? Was I ever wrong! It became the most
difficult thing, musically, I've ever done.
Part of my struggle was because the subject matter is very much beyond
what I normally write about, so the task of setting his words to music
became an immense undertaking. Now that it's finished, I hope I've done
my part well enough to help Larry with his healing. All these years
later, his experiences while serving there are still as fresh and as
real as if it was yesterday. To all the Vietnam vets out there who also
lived this song. May it help you as well. Your feedback would be much
appreciated.
To my own fans who think this song may be a tremendous departure for
me... well it is! But its a departure to help a close friend. In that
regard... this song is exactly right down my alley.
Peace to everyone. Roy
Lyrics
Eyes Of Glass
A Poem By Larry Reynolds
Music and Performance by Roy Rivers
A buddy's cries I heard today
On hells battlefield in full array
"Make it quick, oh God" he prayed,
"I don't want to live this hellish day".
My buddy's hand I held today.
Eyes of glass, he could not stay
No beret or wings upon his chest
He just gave the world his best
Two hundred strong, in battle today
But only ten walked away
Soaked in blood and screams of pain
We had fought with nothing to gain
The battle closed in, bayonets drawn
Comrades left one by one
One hundred ninety left today
Eyes of glass. They would not stay
The cries of death, I heard today
On hells battlefield in full array
"Make it quick, oh God" we prayed
Never to live again this hellish day
The dead lie round, the wounded cry
"Mommy, mommy, God don't let me die!"
A bayonets cut, I felt today
On hells battlefield in full array
Written in blood of stories untold
Heroic scenes of soldiers bold
Doctors and nurses with heavy hearts
Comfort gave when comrades depart
Unselfishly they gave of blood and tears
To help our comrades shed their fears
With hands held tight in prayer and song
We pray that we have not been wrong
The wounds lie deep, the flesh will heal
The spirit's gone, no more to deal
No freedom ring, no children sing
The machines of war 'tis all they bring
A distant land, mother's weep
A child cries for one who sleeps
Rockets scream, no mother dreams
Children pray for those who've passed in full array
Blood flows freely in our dreams
Wives are wakened by our screams
The war is over, the test is done
"God, what more could we have done?"
We are gone, but this be sure
Never again to this endure
For in our dreams we live those days
That took all those in full array
#
Copyright Larry Reynolds 2003
VISIT ROY RIVERS WEBSITE AND LISTEN TO MORE OF HIS WONDERFUL FOLK
BALLADS
http://www.royrivers.com/
International World Peace Rose Gardens Dedication
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
MAY 16th 2003
For more wonderful photos of the
dedication by Tony Brunsman can be viewed at:
International
World Peace Rose Garden
http://www.worldpeacerosegardens.org/
The International World Peace Rose Garden in Sacramento,
sits very comfortably next to The California State Vietnam
Veteran Memorial. It does so in harmony with the very ideals
and principals that veterans have fought and continue to fight for -
world peace. This garden's first rose bushes that were planted, were
dedicated to veterans by veterans - with the planting of: The Purple Heart Rose, The Silver Star Rose, and
The Bronze Star Rose. Veterans from all recent wars were
honored by a ceremony prior to
planting of any other roses (There are
over 600 rose bushes in the garden).
VIETNAM NEXT GARDEN PROJECT: Plans are now under way to build the
next Peace Rose Garden along Highway #1 on the grounds of the
Sharon
Ann Lane Foundation Medical Clinic
Bill McDonald in Vietnam at the SAL Clinic In May 2003,
with the Head of the District People's Party Committee.
MEMORIAL DAY PHOTOS FROM SACRAMENTO
And information about the "reading of names" and ceremony.
Click on the above link to view coverage of the event in Sacramento.
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