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The Cross

by Red-Eye

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about

“The Cross”, is about the cross that people lay when they make a vote on a ballot paper. The lyrics are based on Charles Dicken’s book, “The Christmas Carol”, where spirits from the past, present and future visit Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser. The spirits reveal the damage he had done to others and what damage he might do in the future. As a result of the visits by the spirits, Scrooge pledges to change his ways and treats everyone with kindness, generosity and compassion, embodying the spirit of Christmas.

Red Eye use the same method of spirits revealing to someone the damage they had done and what they could do in the future, but with reference to how they had voted in elections, and how they might improve things if they “Vote for the people, not just for you”. It is aimed at those who only think of themselves when they vote, and do not think of how their vote for a party, a person, or in a ballot, might impact on other people and society in general. The message of the song is to encourage people to think of others when they vote and the effect that their “cross” on the ballot paper will have. Hence the lyrics in the song: "A spirit ..showed you, the damage done. The starving children, the homeless mum”.

lyrics

1st Verse

A spirit came down from Christmas past,
He said what you’ve done, would always last,
The pain inflicted, the misery,
Some think of others, you think “just me”.
And then he showed you, the damage done,
The starving children, the homeless mum,
But you just lay there and counted cash,
Whatever happens, your life won’t crash.

1st Chorus

All was still, all was lost, because of where you laid the cross,
The years go by, the people die,
Because you thought your tax was high.

2nd Verse

A spirit came from Christmas present,
You can be nasty, you can be pleasant,
It is your choice now, to help the poor,
The sick and lonely, those who need more,
And then he showed you, what you can do,
Vote for the people, not just for you,
But you just lay there, in paradise,
“Why should I help them”? you don’t think twice.

2nd Chorus

All was still, all was lost, because of where you laid the cross,
The years go by, the people die,
Because you thought your tax was high.

Mid 8

Make your vote,
But lay your cross
With care... er

3rd Verse

A future Christmas spirit revealed,
The future’s unwritten, it’s not all sealed.
You can change things, you have the force,
You have the power, to change the course.
And then he showed you, how things could be,
An equal world and no poverty,
You reflected, cried a tear,
Maybe next time, maybe next year,

3rd Chorus

There is hope, all’s not lost, remember when you lay your cross,
It’s in your hands, it’s in your heart,
Your cross is where the change can start.

credits

released November 11, 2019

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about

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Red-Eye London, UK

Red Eye cover raw social, emotional and political issues, based on the foundation that every song should carry a message.

Red Eye is centred on the music and lyrics of Trevor Perfect and features guest vocalists.

Red Eye aim to address the lack of protest songs that exists today, compared with the rich tapestry of the past.

More information can be found at website:
www.red-eye.org.uk ... more

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