Gerry Griffin
A Sampler of the Songs from HOUR GLASS
All but one of the songs on his current album, Hour Glass, were written
while Griffin was incarcerated in the Spanish prison system for two and a
half years in the early 1990's. Conditions in the prison were unimaginably
harsh. Gerry's first and only request of a visitor was for a guitar; the
songwriting helped ease the pain of absolute deprivation and bolstered
sagging spirits. Gerry's story is an incredible one and his outlook on the
whole sordid tale is unusual. The songs were written with humanity and
insight, a positive attitude and a sense of humour; many speak uniquely about the universal yearning for loved ones.
Inmates from Senegal, Morocco and Spain would sing and drum along, contributing to the final version of many of Gerry's tunes.
Hour Glass
Copyright 1992 G.J. Griffin
The lyrics of this song reflect Gerry's thoughts while he was in the final
days of a hunger strike. Due to his deteriorated physical condition at the
time, he was hospitalized in the AIDS ward of one of the Spanish prisons and overheard doctors say that he did not have long to live.
While writing the song, he decided to break the strike. It was the 68th day.
Down Load Hour Glass
Lyrics
It Makes My Blood Run Cold
Copyright 1993 G.J. Griffin
The setting for this song is an imaginary bus ride. It was written in a
Canadian jail on the day that Gerry's dad passed away and is a reflection
on values learned from both his parents.
Down Load It Makes My Blood Run Cold
Lyrics
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