2010

Partly inspired by the tragic story of Karen Woo and her nine colleagues who were bringing medical care to the poorest communities of the ravaged nation of Afghanistan which they had grown to love when they were ambushed and killed by gunmen. The song is a bitter reaction to how such a beautiful, gifted and selfless person could be murdered so mindlessly .

'It is such a powerful and emotional piece and not easily forgotten once heard. It seems to have some relevance to the conflicting relationships in Afghanistan at the moment.....'

Lynn Woo

[1993]
Vocals and Guitar: David Heavenor
Drum Samples, Electric Guitar, mandolin: Simon Jaquet
Children from Gabarone, Botswana
Album: Private: The Night Visitors

"Inspired after seeing the film A World Apart about the white South African activist Joe Slovo who was exiled from his country during the Apartheid regime. It coincided with an interview with him in The Guardian where I lifted the quote about Christians and Communists. After writing the song I wrote to the ANC in London who put me in touch with Shawn Slovo, his daughter who took out the CD to South Africa. In his letter he said:

Johannesberg 24 - 11 - 93

Dear David, I was very moved by your tribute to me in song, whether I deserve it or not is besides the point, but this gesture from far away makes one feel the worth of what one was trying to do. This son is back in his land and we've almost completed the final stages of our long, long journey. Sing on!
Yours in appreciation, Joe Slovo "