When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
No, I won’t be afraid
Oh, I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
The original Ben E King version of this great song is always the best; yesterday I enjoyed a different version… The message of vulnerability in adversity and dependable loyalty always moves me.
Win or lose, sink or swim
One thing is certain, we’ll never give in
Side by side, hand in hand
We all stand together
Paul McCartney’s frog chorus lightens the mood but the message is the same: there’s strength and encouragement in standing together.
We went to the cinema last night to see ‘One Life’. 29-year-old London stockbroker Nicholas Winton visited Czechoslovakia in 1938. He’s shocked by their poor living conditions of Jewish families who’d fled from the Nazis in Germany and Austria.
Winton overcomes bureaucratic hurdles, collects donations, finds British foster families, and rescues 669 children, standing with compassion and empathy by Czechoslovakian refugees.
Our Seagull Theatre, originally a Victorian school, converted into a theatre in the 1960s, was to be destroyed… In 2007 a group of local folks got together and saved its demolition.
Recently completed building work includes an accessible workshop, extended seating in the auditorium, a new stage, lift, box office, extended studio space… Success has come through an enthusiastic, determined team standing together.
This morning, walking along the cliff path, I met Marion who lives alone. Her elderly mother was recently taken into a care home, and is now very poorly in hospital.
Marion’s sister and brothers live many miles away; she feels burdened, responsible, very much alone. Marion’s a strong woman who will cope, but she needs the support of friends who will stand with her.
I can stand together with needy international causes like Nicholas, with worthy local causes like The Seagull… but today I’m looking to stand alongside the alone and vulnerable – like Marion.
malcolmsmusings.org 
I am old enough to remember and appreciate the music of Ben E King, I also love the fiddle playing of young Karolina Protsenko who I follow on uTube, young and old together. But (should never start a sentence with but), but I’m not so sure about Sir Paul.
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So many people have tried to sing ‘Stand by Me’ over the years – but none are as good as the original… I’m worried that we might be agreeing, Bill. But (starting a sentence with but) what can be wrong with Sir Paul and frogs?!
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I’m afraid I’m a John Lennon groupie.
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Children would probably love Sir Paul’s frog chorus. “One Life” sounds like a must-see movie. A friend in need is a friend indeed-as you are with Marion. 🙂
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I would certainly recommend One Life. I’ve heard a number of WW2 stories, but not that one. It’s a story that needs telling.
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