benefit song for children in Ukraine
“When the Birds Stopped Singing” is an anti-war folk/blues song I wrote in March 2022, at the beginning of the war in Ukraine. As some of my ancestors come from both Ukraine and Russia, and my grandmother and her sisters fled St. Petersburg on foot in 1919, I want to do what I can to help Ukrainian children and families.
I am donating proceeds of When the Birds Stopped Singing to Ukrainian nonprofit Prostir Radity, who provide an innovative healing program for children in Ukraine impacted by the war.
My heartfelt gratitude to the incredible musicians, vocalists and dear friends who contributed their love, talent and time to bring this song to life, each of you mean so much to me: Bashiri Johnson (percussion), Bar Scott (backing vocals), Dave Eggar (cellos), Phil Faconti (guitar), Jérôme Buigues (mix), Greg Calbi (mastering), and to Alyona Chukanova, who introduced me to the wonderful people at Prostir Radity. This music wouldn’t exist without you.
When the Birds Stopped Singing
LISTEN/DOWNLOAD on Bandcamp
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When the Birds Stopped Singing
Music & lyrics: Valerie Ghent
When the birds stopped singing
When the birds stopped singing
When the birds stopped singing
I cried
With the war time coming
With the war time coming
With the war time coming
I cried
Fire came down from the mountain
Raging across the plain
Shots rang out through the valley
Bombs fell down like rain
With the red dawn coming
With the red dawn coming
With the red dawn coming
I cry
With the waters rising
With the waters rising
With the waters rising
I cry
Now we’re running for the border
Leaving our homes behind
But still they’re still attacking
From every corner
We’re fleeing for our lives
When the birds stopped singing
When the birds stopped singing
When the birds stopped singing
I cried
I cry
I cry
I cry
I cry
I cry
When the birds stopped singing
When the birds stopped singing
When the birds stopped singing
I cried
credits:
Valerie Ghent: vocals, keyboards, backing vocals
Bashiri Johnson: percussion
Bar Scott: backing vocals
Dave Eggar: cellos
Phil Faconti: guitar
produced by Valerie Ghent
mix: Jérôme Buigues
mastering: Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound
West Street Records/Cavos Music ©2022
Proceeds benefit Ukrainian nonprofit Prostir Radity who provide an innovative healing program for children in Ukraine impacted by the war.