Story Behind The Song

A special day we now call Mothers' Day was originally known as "Mothers' Peace Day". It was intended to be a day in which no mothers' son would be killed at war. Julia Ward Howe, the author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, became so horrified with the carnage of the Civil War that she began advocating for a Mother's Day of Peace. She published the Mother's Day Peace Proclamation in 1870. By 1873, 18 cities celebrated Mother's Day of Peace celebrations - some of these celebrations continued for 30 years. Still today, we have the enduring legacy of Mother's Day.

Song Description

this is a song that blends a sense of peace with solemnity, based on the origin of Mothers' Day and the Civil War. Hits home on a lot of levels for listens of all ages.

Lyrics

Mothers' Peace Day
Written and recorded May 13, 2006 for all the mothers in my life
with love, by Bryan Harrison
words and music by Bryan Harrison
©copyright 2006, all rights reserved


dawn's light comes - another day has begun,
will this be the one to bring home her son?
hand on her heart, she kneels and prays
"protect this boy from harm's way"

Long time gone, peace will reign
on Mothers' Day
Set the tone, peace must reign
on Mothers' Day

In the wake of our bloodiest war to date
came proclaimed "Mothers' Peace Day",
to celebrate creation of life,
and to say "war must die",

Long time gone, peace must reign
on Mothers' Day
Set the tone, peace must reign
on Mothers' Day
Now I know peace can reign
Mothers' Day
long time gone, peace will reign
on Mothers' Day

the news travels fast, her boy is home at last,
wounded but breathing he arrives today,
bandaged and bruise - with one leg gone,
they wheel him home across the lawn,

Long time gone, peace must reign
on Mothers' Day
Set the tone, peace must reign
on Mothers' Day
Now I know peace can reign
Mothers' Day
long time gone, peace will reign
on Mothers' Day