Panama Red

- Essays: On The Road (And A Little Off)

Panama Gets A Letter and a Song From Marshall Chapman

Panama-
While driving to Greenville (SC) to open a show for Leon Russell December 16, I wrote the attached song. I was thinking about what I love most about Christmas is how quiet it is on the actual day, when all commerce has ground to a halt. I was also thinking about one of my favorite hymns from my Presbyterian upbringing -- "Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie" -- and how UN-STILL that part of the world is now, and the irony of it all. Then I started thinking about my cousin's son who was just sent to Iraq. I tried to keep the lyric respectful, regardless of the listener's political or religious agenda, yet still express my feelings. Like you, and a growing number of Americans, I deplore this war.

That evening, I closed my set with it. A bunch of Vietnam vets, mothers of soldiers, etc. stood and applauded after the first line in the second verse. At the end... standing ovation. I've never experienced anything like it in all my 35+ years performing.

Keep fighting the good fight.

Yours,

Marshall

Lands Far Away
(God Bless the Soldiers)

It’s a silent night
There’re no cars on the roads
No planes in the sky
‘Cause everyone’s home
Except for the soldiers
In lands far away
And as I sing the old hymns
Thinking of them
I can’t help but pray

God bless the soldiers
The ones who’re still there
Please watch over them
’Til they’re safely back here
And to the ones who came back
Draped in red, white, and blue
Please comfort their loved ones
Now that their souls
Are resting with you

Now, I have a dream
That one of these days
All the wars in this world
Will no longer rage
We’ll all come together
With all due respect
We will listen and learn
Each talking in turn
Now wouldn’t that be just great?

It’s a silent night
There’re no cars on the roads
No planes in the sky
‘Cause everyone’s home
Except for the soldiers
In lands far away
And as I sing the old hymns
Thinking of them
I can’t help but pray

God bless the soldiers

Writer: Marshall Chapman
Dec. 16, 2006

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