Commonwealth News and Information Service (London)
2 December 2008
Calling for an end to war that will stop the misery of thousands of people around the world - that is what singer-songwriter Dan Bowskill is doing through his song, Crying Out, from his debut album More than Music.
The reggae and soul singer will perform his new composition at a concert organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat on 10 December 2008 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In his lyrics, Mr Bowskill describes war as an escalating event where violence breeds retribution and vengeance: "War wants more and greed wants gain; a roaming beast we need to tame."
He describes the world as crying out tears of anger, pain and misery that can fill "oceans". The world is scarred by conflict and destruction to homes, lives and liberty.
"I was moved by the images and reports on the news about the strife in the war-torn places around the world, and I felt so much for the people caught up in the conflict and the turmoil in their lives," said Mr Bowskill. "I wanted to express this in a song to bring about awareness of how some lives have been crushed by war and the physical, psychological and emotional destruction that are caused by the fighting, killing and maiming. The pain has to stop. The animosity has to stop. Peace must rule in our hearts and minds because it is the right of every human being to live in a secure environment, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights where 'Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security'."
Mr Bowskill said war has been brought about by fighting for territory, natural resources, power and honour. He added that conflict can also be fuelled by hatred, revenge, envy and greed. One can also be forced to fight for the survival of one's race, religion, belief, culture or one's country. Mr Bowskill feels that disputes and grievances should be resolved through non-violent means, through dialogue and through the legal process to seek justice, instead of resorting to force.
"Might is not necessarily right. Might causes mayhem and destruction. I hope for a world where we can all live together in peace," said Mr Bowskill. "My music is about the betterment of mankind. We all aspire for peace, security, justice, equality, freedom and democracy. We all share in the hope for a better world, a better place to live. I support the Commonwealth's goals of making peace, preventing conflicts and promoting development. My involvement in the Commonwealth concert is to show support and concern for the people whose lives have been affected by conflict and who are crying out for peace and an end to their suffering."
Mr Bowskill will also sing another original composition, Clear Water, which focuses on the basic need for water for survival, and the pollution of water resources that have poisoned nature's vital resource. The song calls on every one to play a part in ensuring that they do not destroy their environment and turn them into wastelands.
Dan Bowskill will be backed by his More Than Music Band comprising backup vocalists Jonathan Andre, Kiki Militsas and Gemma Stewart; guitarists Rob Blake and Andrew Smithson; trombonist Nathaniel Cross; percussionist Alex Goodrich; saxophonist Mark Hughes; bassist John Linney; drummer Hugo Morel; trumpeter Andrew Prince; and keyboardist Julian Veiling.
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