Story Behind The Song

See the 'long description of song' for the main theme. Each section of the song tells the story of individuals involved in the proceedings, as follows: Verse 1: The Doctor's Role: dedicated to those doctors attending a committee meeting at BMA headquarters as the bomb exploded at 9:47am. The doctors established a triage system to administer first-aid, using minimal medical supplies and improvising for the wounded bus passengers. Their actions undoubtedly saved many more lives. Verse 2: The Bomber's Role: Hasib Hussain, spotted on CCTV footage several times on the morning of July 7th, buying supplies, catching the number 91 and finally the number 30 bus. The bomb was detonated from the crowded top deck. Middle Eighth: The Mother's Role: dedicated to Marie Fatayi-Williams, Mother of Anthony. Anthony was missing for five days, unseen since boarding the number 30 bus. Marie gave an impromptu, moving eulogy after the bus bombing, seeking understanding and her son's whereabouts. Verse 3: The Poet's Role: my reflections, dedicated to all those that sought answers concerning what happened to something as commonplace as a bus-ride. They remain unafraid.

Song Description

The story of the London Bombings, 7th July 2005, remembering the 52 bystanders that lost their lives. The Façade referenced in the title is that of the British Medical Association headquarters in Tavistock Square; the number 30 bus was blown up as it passed, killing 13 passengers. The façade of the building was heavily blood-stained and damaged by shrapnel, becoming a horrific icon of the day's events.

Lyrics

Chorus
So, here's what you do
You put on a façade
Your choices are simple
They're made to seem hard, but
History notes the brush with which you've been tarred
So, don't be afraid - we'll get through this unscarred, and

Verse 1
I am the man from the BMA
Taking the minutes of this meeting today
What begins as normal then blows me away
It's typical, as usual, I've little to say, and

It's been ten years since I've been in the fray
A battle ground, where the chosen lay
Saving a soul with a tourniquet
Tables to turn (the dying away), and

Verse 2
I am the son and the brother
I do this for love (and for the lovers)
I do this because I see you need to be free, and
I need the honour that's owing to me, oh

The best of my days was yesterday's
Feeling of seeing my soul debt repaid
Look for yourself, there in black, white and grey
As I break for the veil and the rush hour melee

Chorus, and

Middle Eight
I am the Mother in streams of tears
Surrounded by hatred; I've felt this for years, and
I just need to know why my son isn't here
Five days of waiting to confirm my fears

I would die to protect all his hopes and his dreams
Now I won't see the great things that he will achieve, and
I'm sad. I'm distraught. I'm destroyed and I grieve
In this my outcry of disbelief
And

Verse 3
I am the poet trying to get this thing straight
How a thing based on love could inspire so much hate
It would seem holy scripts are up for debate
You blank out the bits to which you can't relate, and

I was there when the names of the families was said
I was there when the books of condolence were read
Now the banks of the missing join the lists of the dead, and
The dead become martyrs in somebody's head

Chorus to end