FAWM: "Lichterkette, Light Our Way"

Lichterkette, Light Our Way

2025 by @wylddandelyon

Skirmish: Lichterkette (translation... (@mashala)

Liner Notes

I got the inkling of this song when I first read the definition of Lichterkette in a very early skGERmish this month, but it took a while to find the focus and emotional spoons to actually write it.

Lichterkette (translation: chain of lights / fairy lights / long line of demonstrators carrying lights / candle-lit demonstration)

#protest #folk #filk #autoharp

@mashala Thank you for the skirmish prompt.

Lyrics

Lichterkette, Light Our Way Deirdre M Murphy D G Ivy and Lia claimed Gran’s ottoman A D And Lia borrowed some white Christmas lights D G With ice-cream cones for their microphones A D They sang, a concert of Peace and Good Will G D Gran rocked in her old chair, and smiled as they sang D G Lichterkette, light our way A D Despite all meanness we can change the world D G We bring Hope for the future, Hope for joy A D Lichterkette, light our way

The girls grew older and went off to school Their eyes bright despite the world’s cruel strife Until a young shooter did what guns were made to do Ivy was rushed to surgery, would she survive? Gran brought Lia to the vigil, candles in hand

They sang, Lichterkette, light our way Despite the violence we can change the world We bring Hope for the future, Hope for joy Lichterkette, light our way

Now they are marching, Lia and Gran While Ivy rolls along in her new wheelchair They carry bright signs and chant their demands For gun reform, peace, and healthcare for all The crowd holds electric candles high

They sing, Lichterkette, light our way The time is now; we must change the world We bring Hope for the future, Hope for joy Lichterkette, light our way

Yes, sing! Lichterkette, light our way The time is now; we must change the world We bring Hope for the future, Hope for joy Lichterkette, light our way

Comments

@danvaillancourt 2025

Great storytelling and imagery. Autoharp and vocal tone have a vintage quality with a bit of modern twist with timely lyrics. 👏🎶

@kahlo2013 2025

This is such a lovely response to that prompt! The music shimmers like the prompt. The song melody flows beautifully with such a hopeful positive message! Really lovely in all respects! Great storytelling of a compelling dark reality. It is almost prayerful. Gorgeous!

@kembole 2025

Autoharp sounds really nice and wide in this, propably had a ice-cream cones for your microphones? Sounds like the finnish zither. I just love fawm for the diversity of the music here. Happy to hear this!

@caitlin 2025

I love the autoharp, its dulcet tones are soothing to the ear. Thank you for writing this song of hope and demand for change.

@bethdesombre 2025

I'm happy to have learned of this phenomenon/term through this song. I like the scene you set at the beginning (and "ice cream cones for their microphones" communicates so much). You tell a hopeful story here.

@nadine 2025

Your autoharp has such a bright sound that works well with your voice. Lyricallya very hopeful song. That's what I needed today #tit4tat

@jongoldie 2025

Love that autoharp. Don't love the perceived need to have guns. Love the positive hopeful message. Cheers

@leslie 2025

Thank you for teaching me a new word - Lichterkette. This song is full of hope and perseverance. Nice that you could slip Ivy in there!

@ragbag 2025

I like the jangly instrument you're playing. I do hope the US sees sense and gets rid of all those guns - quite unneccesary in a modern society. The harmony is a nice touch in the singalong style chorus at the end. I could definitely see this at a FILK. :-) #tit4tat

@jeremykazoo 2025

A hopeful song looking towards the future. I hope that we all have our way lit soon. Love to hear that autoharp.

Command Center

Lichterkette, Light Our Way

Liner Notes

Lyrics

Comments

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