Rob Russell Davies: Listen

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The Story:

We watch the little boy as he dares to make a friend on the wrong side of the wall.


The Tipperary Song of Peace 2003.

GIVE IT A MINUTE
©Rob Russell Davies 2002

Words screaming from the wall
Sprayed hatred five foot tall
A child stops to bounce a ball
Gives it a minute
His dad told him what it meant
Those ghosts it represents
He tries hard to see the sense
Gives it a minute
Gives it a minute of his time...

A tap from the other side
A peep-hole to sneak an eye
Eyes staring back so wide!
Gives them a minute
He turns, he should walk away
'Cause dad told him just today
"These kids are not the same"
Gives it a minute
Gives it a minute of his time...

It's his time
And the eyes through the wall
Seem so innocent and so small
Just the tears of a child
Without prejudice running wild
He doesn't know why it feels right
To line the ball up in his sights
And kick it hard and with delight...
Across the wall...
Across the wall...
Across the wall...

"Your ball's gone that's crystal clear!"
His dad shouts for all to hear
With these words still in his ear
He gives it a minute
They turn back along the lane
Heads down, nothing to say
And when the ball flies back their way...
They give it a minute,
So give it a minute of your time

Give it a minute
Give it a minute
Give it a minute of your time. (repeated)