The story of how BA Robertson’s previously unreleased version of his song Silent Running came to be released in aid of Ukraine children is one of happy coincidence, and the determination of Edinburgh grandmother Lorri Hales.

When the song popped up at random on a car playlist, on a journey to visit her grandchildren, Lorri was stunned, and moved to tears, by how relevant it seemed to the current situation in Ukraine, conjuring images of the ordinary people like her – children, parents, grandparents – whose lives were suddenly being blown apart.

The words of the song:
Take the children and yourself
And hide out in the cellar
By now the fighting will be close at hand
struck a chord, and particularly the lyrics about keeping guns and ammunition "just inside the doorway" and the haunting chorus of “Can you hear me?”

Lorri: "It struck me that it could be a great way to try to raise money to help people in Ukraine".

She knew her partner was friends with BA (hence having the unreleased track on his playlist) and insisted he immediately call the singer-songwriter (who also wrote The Living Years) to ask if he would allow the song to be released as a fundraiser for the people of Ukraine, for the children and refugees. BA agreed, a partnership with Mail Force – Ukraine Appeal charity ensued, and the song is released on Fri 22 July, with all proceeds going to the charity appeal.

Silent Running has a long track record as a song that speaks across generations and times. Written by BA Robertson and Mike Rutherford, the original version – the first single release by Mike and the Mechanics - was a huge global hit, including spending several weeks at #1 on the Billboard rock charts in 1986. There have been several dance and chill-out versions, it appeared on the soundtrack for the film, On Dangerous Ground, and a version by Hidden Citizens was recently used in Assassin’s Creed (Syndicate) video game. It was also memorably sampled by US rapper Killer Mike.

This version strips the song back to its powerful essentials. It was recorded during an Edinburgh Fringe run at The Gilded Balloon (a solo show), with just BA’s voice and piano. The digital single is released with a “B side” - a “Nashville mix” which includes additional instrumentation.

BA Robertson: "Steve told me how Lorri reacted to the song when she first heard it. She felt it had been written about the Ukraine conflict. I had forgotten about this performance so it was easy to say, let’s do it."

Lyrics:
Take the children and yourself
And hide out in the cellar
By now the fighting will be close at hand
Don't believe the church and state
And everything they tell you
Believe in me, I'm with the high command
Chorus
Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?
Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?

There's a gun and ammunition
Just inside the doorway
Use it only in emergency
Better you should pray to God
The Father and the Spirit
Will guide you and protect from up here
Chorus
Swear allegiance to the flag
Whatever flag they offer
Never hint at what you really feel
Teach the children quietly
For someday sons and daughters
Will rise up and fight while we stood still
Chorus x 2