The original song, ‘My Hero’, was for a musical, Atlantic Wall, about World War 2 heroes (of the French Resistance). In the first line the word ‘picture’ meant a photograph. In 2020, the ‘picture’ is, of course, the flat screen TV. And the tune in the musical was sung several times with different lyrics, each by and about different characters.
So it’s a very adaptable tune, which I’ve updated the lyrics (scroll down for new lyrics…they are there! including an approximate translation into Ukranian for the lament) to reflect
1. The current COVID-19 pandemic and
2. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and /or other places suffering war & oppression..
It’s up to you to decide who needs your particular support and how you do it. I intend to send my royalties on these versions to charity (I’ve put a donation link on my ‘hearnow’ website https://sandquay.hearnow.com).
It struck me that folk might want to use the track for a fund raiser to help defeat the pandemic or oppression across the globe. In the UK alone There are so many folk out there that need your help, whether it’s the NHS, Care Homes, Food Banks or Community Care Groups, for covid , or, to help with supporting refugees then UNHCR is a good starting point.
If you’re stuck for ideas then these are the ones I’ve picked out for starters on my hearnow website:
- Covid Vaccination Aid https://www.vaccinaid.org/p/unicef/
- UN Disasters Emergencies Committee https://www.google.org/ukraine-relief/
If you want to contact me, Derek aka ‘Sandquay’ then reach me here – opens new tab
If you want to put your own vocals on instead of mine, I can provide the backing track.
And if you need the dots to work on your own arrangement, I have three files, a Sheet Music pdf file and, for studio buffs, an xml file and a midi file, to work from.
LYRICS – TWO NEW VERSIONS
N.B. I’ve included some of the original lyrics below these to help you with your ideas. Try swapping the gender around if that works best for you. If you do make a recording, please email us your mp3 version or send us your u-tube link, and I’ll be happy to post the best on this website if you are happy for me to do that. Don’t get too depressed – have fun!
Having just released a single relating to the Covid pandemic in Feb 2022 as a tribute to Covid Bearers, Carers and Curers, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has prompted me to write some more words in Mar 2022 as a lament to War and Oppression (and it’s not just in Russia – it’s also in Myanmar and Syria).
SO MANY HEROES Music © 2002 & New Lyrics © 2022 By Derek Parsons
So Many Heroes – Lament to War & Oppression (Mar 2022)
Verse 1
Turned on the picture hanging on the wall
Thinking to myself no-one’s known at all
So many heroes, each a guiding star
Bringing hope to us in this darkened hour.
Middle 8 – 1
I can’t believe what’s on
Whatever has gone so wrong?
Of those give their all to save the rest
Let history write them as some of the best!
Verse 2
All kinds of heroes, each a guiding star
Kindly friends step up helping near and far.
It tells a story that makes my spirit rise
Lifting up my heart into brighter skies.
Middle 8 – 2
Why should one man’s false pride
Bring tragedy far and wide?
Sure as the world looks on, the heroes to come
Will take down the tyrant and I’ll carry on
Verse 3
Watching the pictures coming from the wall
Thinking to myself no-one’s known at all
So many heroes, each a guiding star
Bringing hope to us in this darkened hour
So many heroes.
Ukranian approximate translation Приблизний переклад на українську
Так багато героїв – Оплакування війни та гніту
Куплет 1
Увімкнув картину, що висить на стіні
Я думаю про себе, що взагалі ніхто не знає
Так багато героїв, кожен-дороговказна зірка
Несучи нам надію в цю темну годину.
Центр 8-1
Я не можу повірити, що відбувається
Це все так неправильно
Ті, хто віддає все, щоб врятувати інших
Нехай історія запише їх як одні з найкращих!
Куплет 2
Різноманітні герої, кожен-дороговказна зірка
Дорогі друзі з’являються на допомогу зблизька і далеко.
Він розповідає історію, яка підносить мій дух
І підносить моє серце до світлішого неба.
Центр 8-2
Яке право фальшивої гордості однієї людини
Щоб скрізь створювати трагедії?
Безперечно, як світ дивиться, герої прийдуть
І знищ тирана, і я продовжу
Куплет 3
Спостерігаючи за картинами, що йдуть зі стіни
Я думаю про себе, що взагалі ніхто не знає
Так багато героїв, кожен-дороговказна зірка
Несучи нам надію в цю темну годину
Так багато героїв.
So Many Heroes – Tribute To Bearers, Carers and Curers (Feb 2022)
Verse 1
Turned on the picture hanging on the wall
Thinking to myself no-one’s known at all
So many heroes, each a guiding star
Bringing hope to us in this darkened hour.
Mid 8 – 1
I can’t believe who’s gone
Whatever could be so strong?
Some gave their life for us to save the rest
Let history write them as some of the best!
Verse 2
All kinds of heroes, each a guiding star
Such good friends to us working from afar.
It tells a story that makes my spirit rise
Lifting up my heart into brighter skies.
Mid 8 – 2
In science caring and cost
There’s many who bear my cross
I’m not alone now, the vaccines have come
I’m out of the lock-down but I’ll carry on
Verse 3
Watching the pictures coming from the wall
Thinking to myself no-one’s known at all
So many heroes, each a guiding star
Bringing hope to us in this darkened hour.
So many heroes.
Want to tweak the words? Here’s some of the original lyrics © 2002 Derek Parsons you could borrow from. You might want to change the gender from he to she etc.
Original Verse 1 (about Gen. De Gaulle)
I have his picture don’t hang it on the wall
Keep it to myself, no-one knows at all
That he’s my hero, he’s my guiding star
Bringing hope to me in this darkened hour.
Original Mid 8-1 (about ‘Pedro’)
I can’t believe he’s gone
Though somehow he’s been so strong
He gave his life for us to save the rest
Let history write him as one of the best!
Original Verse 2 (about ‘Malherbe’)
He is my hero he’s my guiding star
Such a friend to me calling from afar
He tells a story that makes my spirit rise
Lifting up my heart into brighter skies.
Original Mid 8 – 2 (about Malherbe / De Gaulle)
Although at times I’m lost
I know that he bears my cross
I’m not alone now, my hero has come
My heart is still pounding/much stronger) but I’ll soldier on
Original Verse 3 (about ‘Malherbe’)
I want his picture, won’t hang it on the wall
Keep it to myself, so no-one knows at all
That he’s my hero, he’s my guiding star
Bringing love to me in this darkened hour.
Yes he’s my hero.