We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Sweet Sixteen

by Simon Scardanelli

supported by
/

about

Originally released 24th July 2011 - this updated version was created around 2012 when I added piano and a vocal harmony.

I wrote this for the original release date in 2011:
"A few weeks ago I watched a documentary on the BBC about soldiers fighting in Helmand province, Afganistan. Shot mostly via cameras fitted to the soldiers helmets, the program offered an visceral account of life on the front line.

In the episode I watched, a 19 year old soldier was killed, hit by a bullet that found a slight gap in the body armour he was wearing. This terribly sad and moving event stayed with me, and a couple of weeks ago I wrote "Sweet Sixteen". I recorded it a day later and decided to release it straight on to iTunes.

Of course this is an anti-war song - but the TV program is thought provoking - I think perhaps that it's the first time I've really thought about why young men would want to enlist; join an army and fight, and possibly die.

lyrics

SWEET SIXTEEN

Sweet sixteen, never been
further than a bus ride home
Adventure calls, comrades all across the land
Buttons bright, mothers pride
Best in bloom stood side by side
Brothers true with hearts of oak
and faith in hand.

And they raise their eyes as they
Swear the flag
With pride they go to war
“In the name of Truth and Justice -
we shall prevail.”
Triumphant hope over fear.

Mortars sing, bullets sting
the air is cracked and bitter blue
“I am hit” he cries , and falls to the ground
And his blood, it paints the soil
while his comrades hold his hand
Misty eyed, tough guys cry....

And we raise our heads as we
close our eyes
When the boys come home from war
In the name of God what were you
Thinking of?
An eye for an eye
Will make us blind.

Buttons bright, mothers pride
Best in bloom laid side by side
Brothers true with hearts of oak
and faith in hand.

Words and music © 2011 Simon Scardanelli

credits

released July 11, 2019

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Simon Scardanelli Merléac, France

Simon Scardanelli is an English singer, songwriter & composer now based in Central Brittany, France.

Currently working on his next album - a folk-opera which he will launch in early 2023.

A great live performer who has toured extensively, available for solo acoustic & amplified concerts as well as in trio with accordion & percussion..
... more

shows

contact / help

Contact Simon Scardanelli

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Simon Scardanelli, you may also like: