A song about the incomprehensible cultural behaviour known as "honour" killing.
Committed and passionate singer songwriter of new songs from traditional inspiration
Berni is a singer songwriter of passionate and committed songs.
Story behind the song
A song inspired by a thread on a forum of which I am a member (along with some cross-referencing on the link that led me to the story portrayed in the song).
Lyrics
Honour
He'd escaped from death or torture,
To the West with his family he fled.
But the culture shock was too much for him,
Left him always seeing red.
It was bad that his sons showed less respect,
But his daughter was the last straw,
She had to die to cleanse his honour,
Honour was his tragic flaw.
There's honour in human dignity,
Honour in public acclaim,
Honour in trustworthiness,
Honour in taking the blame,
But where's the honour in killing your daughter,
Your sister or your wife?
There is honour in taking care of them
Shame in taking their life!
His daughter welcomed the freedom
That she found in her new home.
Vivacious and intelligent,
She was seldom on her own.
Then a neighbour stopped her father,
"She's been seen with boys!", he said.
Suddenly, his jewel was worthless,
For his honour she died in her bed.
CHORUS
I look over at my own daughter,
Smile back at my dear wife.
I know that to protect them,
I would gladly give my life.
Then I glance back at my paper,
Unable to comprehend,
What kind of honour there can be
In killing those you should defend.
CHORUS
