The Military Wives Choir

On his breakfast show this morning Chris Evans played the Military Wives Choir twice.  He is certainly giving it a big push to get it to number one this Christmas.  And this is my own little push to get it up the charts where it deserves to be.  Let’s have no more manufactured X Factor number ones but something Christmassy like the good old days, although Bob the Builder and Mr Blobby don’t count!

The first time Chris played the song this morning it was just past 7 o’clock.  I was snuggled up in bed with youngest son.  He has taken to sleeping in with me some nights, a habit I really should break but I love the warmth of a little body beside me and the big sleepy hug I inevitably get in the morning.

Chris then played the song again near the end of his show.  This time I was in the car, on my way to do some Christmas shopping.  Socks were high up on my list, read yesterday’s post to find out why.  I actually spent more in M & S on underwear than I did in Waterstones buying proper gifts!

As I got a chance to listen once more to the words I pondered why this song means so much to me.

I have posted on the MWC facebook page that I feel an affinity towards them as I know what it is like to be running things while your husband is away.  Alright so Andrew was only away for a couple of weeks at a time but since he died last year I know the pain of separation on a far greater scale.

The words of the song, beautifully composed by Paul Mealor, were taken from love letters written by the wives.  Those girls know how to write a romantic letter.  I still have the ones I wrote to Andrew but these are in a different league to the drivel I wrote.  But then Andrew was only on an oil rig in the middle of the North Sea and not in a war zone.  I didn’t have the same fears he might not make it home.

We did however spend some Christmases and birthday apart.  Andrew telling me he had an vital role in bringing the gas ashore so that everyone could cook their Christmas turkey. Important, yes but nowhere near the same as the task facing our brave service men and women.

When I listen to the song with its beautiful words sung by angelic voices I like to think it is Andrew’s words to me.  Words that were on his heart but so often inadequately expressed. 

 

Yes I know it is a stretch of the imagination and I in no way want to denigrate this heartfelt song.  But the marvel of song lyrics is that each of us can take them and make them our own. 

 

I believe that Andrew has gone on to a better place where there is no more pain or sorrow.  I like to think he is looking down on the three of us, me particularly and singing…

Wherever you are my love will keep you safe,

My heart will build a bridge of light across both time and space.

Wherever you are, our hearts still beat as one

I hold you in my dreams each night until your task is done    

Light up the darkness, my wondrous star

Our hopes and dreams, my heart and yours, forever shining far

Light up the darkness, my prince of peace.

May the stars shine all around you may your courage never cease. 

So to the girls of the Military Wives Choir, Gareth Malone and Paul Mealor, I salute you and want to thank you for your wonderful song. 

I hope and pray you get the coveted number one spot on Christmas day but more than that my prayer for you is that however far apart your families may be spread that you will be surrounded by love, peace and joy this Christmas. xx

 You can watch the Military Wives Choir here with their official video - absolutely stunning and well worth watching!