The Brightest Moon
This moving tribute to those involved with Abbey End on 21st November 1940 is by Kenilworth’s own singer/songwriter Ellie Gowers. Rather than using generic people and situations, Ellie has written about real people and what happened to them; it is pleasing to say Ellie told me that she used this website for much of her research.
After listening to The Brightest Moon, I can recommend a YouTube search for ‘Ellie Gowers’ to discover many of her studio recordings, videos, live performances and the odd interview.
I had intended to publicise her upcoming performance at the United Reform Church on 5th December but, not surprisingly, it has sold out.
Listen here: The Brightest Moon – Ellie Gowers
Ellie performing The Brightest Moon at Folkeast, August 2023
In the softest of winds, there blows an air
An air of chaos and smoke
Through this quiet town where families dwell
Disruption did approach
A young boy watched from the highest tree
As the neighbouring town perished
In the flames that seared through the tallest spire
Crumbling homes and lives with it
Then the morning came and the sky was dark
Blackened by the ash
And the people they came rushing in
Seeking safety in their packs
They were welcomed in
To every house and every inn
Arms open wide with the townsfolk saying
Come in, come in
For we’ve a bed that is soft and a fire to warm you
Come in, come in
The harm can’t reach you here in a refuge from the fear
Come one, come all
Come in, come in
They found a space for everyone
And here they took their refuge
Cramped around a kitchen fire
Under the light of the brightest moon
Stories swapped and tales were told
About the lives they’ve lived until now
A confectioner, a teacher, a child of an innkeeper
Who’s waiting for his firstborn child
Hands were held and prayers were said
Before settling down for the night
When a distant drone crescendoed the room
Shaking the walls and smashing the lights
The confectioner woke surrounded by
His wife, his shop, and his home
Shattered windows, fallen walls
For a silent minute, he lay alone
Soon the crowds gathered in and offered their hands
To clear the rubble away
A whole street of desolation and ruin
Disbanded by a game only rich people play
All that was left was a man and his case
With his money and his late wife’s jewels
Facing a road he’d not trodden before
A road full of kindness and a path merciful
For he ended up knocking on an old friend’s door
And was welcomed with the kindness he’d given before
Come in, come in
For we’ve a bed that is soft and a fire to warm you
Come in, come in
The harm can’t reach you here in a refuge from the fear
Come in, come in
Away from a world to a place that is clear
Come in, come in
The harm can’t reach you here in a refuge from the fear
Come one, come all, come in, come in
(Come in, come in)
Come in, come in
Come in, come in, come in, come in