Kiri's Piano Lyrics - Singles - Keelaghan James

Of all of Kiri Ito's joys, the thing she loved the best 

Was to play her prized piano when the sun had gone to rest 

I used to hear the notes drift down along the silent water 

As Kiri played the notes and scales for her dear sons and daughters 

Now me I played piano though not as good as Kiri 

She went in for that long haired stuff but my she played it pretty 

The old piano had a tone would set my heart to aching 

It always sounded sweetest though when it was Kiri playing 

In December when the seventh fleet was turned to smoke and ashes 

The order came to confiscate their fishing boats and caches 

And Kiri's husband forced to go and work in labour camps 

And Kiri left alone to fend and hold the fort as best she can 

But the music did not drift as often from up the cove at Kiri's house 

And when it did it sounded haunted played with worry played with doubt 

For Kiri knew that soon she too would be compelled to leave 

And the old upright would stay behind and Kiri she would grieve 

I loaded Kiri on the bus with stoic internees 

The crime that they were guilty of was that they were not like me 

And if I was ashamed I didn't know it at the time 

They were flotsam on the wave of war they were no friends of mine 

I went up to Kiri's house to tag all their belongings 

And set them out for auctioneers who'd claim them in the morning 

One piece that I thought I'd keep and hold back for myself 

Was that haunting ivory upright that Kiri played so well 

But Kiri had not left it there for me to take as plunder 

She'd rolled it down onto the dock and on into the harbor 

That old upright in strangers' hands was a thought she couldn't bear 

So she consigned it to the sea to settle the affair 

So many years have come and gone since Kiri's relocation 

I look back now upon that time with shame and resignation 

For Kiri knew what I did not that if we must be free 

Then sometimes we must sacrifice to gain our dignity 

Yes Kiri knew what I did not that if we must be free 

Then sometimes we must sacrifice to gain our dignity