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Claire's Lament

from THE ODD BOX (Album) by Garrington T Jones

/

about

Claire Preston was a friend from primary (elementary)
school who was an exceedingly gifted artist and a fabulous
athlete. Being an aspiring artist and sportsman myself,
Claire and I were friendly rivals, but it was always me who
came off second-best to Claire’s artistic and athletic talents.

When we left primary school, we went to high schools in
neighbouring towns and very soon, Claire and I lost contact.
Then on 21st November 1970, news broke about a terrible
family tragedy in the Worcestershire village of Callow End.

A man called John Preston, driven crazy by an undetected
brain tumour, had slain his family and the pet dog with a
rifle and then killed himself after dousing the family home
with petrol and setting it ablaze. The youngest family victim
of this tragedy was my former primary school friend,
Sheelagh Claire Preston.

Fifty years later, on a beautiful English Spring morning
during the first Covid-19 lockdown, I suddenly recalled the
tragic events of November 1970 and for some strange
reason, I was drawn to find out more about that fateful
morning that was sadly to be Claire’s last day alive.

Using on-line newspaper archives and the recollections
from the older residents of Callow End, I composed this
musical lament about the tragic events leading to the sad
demise of my friend Claire (12), her mother Mary (50), her
brother Stephen (14) and her troubled father John (51).

lyrics

A desk by the window is empty today,
“Claire’s not here Miss”, I heard Charlotte say.
The classroom is silent and no one knows why?
Mrs Johnson is wiping the tears from her eyes.
A door slowly opens,
The Headmaster walks in.
In his hand is a paper,
His expression is grim.
“I have some sad news, I’m sorry to say”;
“Claire will be missing from school today”.

John Preston was yearning for artistic success,
He travelled the world but he failed to impress.
Rejection, frustration and anger within,
Destroyed the creations that were precious to him.
He abandoned ambition,
For a quieter life.
In a Worcestershire village,
With his children and wife.
But demons of failure haunted his head.
He’d fight with the gun, kept under his bed.

The cottage was blazing; men broke down the door,
The gun and John Preston were laid on the floor.
His wife in her nightdress, at the foot of the stairs,
His dog and son Stephen were slumped in a chair.
And there in the back room,
“Asleep” on her bed,
An angel lies peaceful,
With a hole in her head.
“She sat by the window”, I heard Charlotte say,
Claire will be missing from school today.

Lyrics & Music by G C Tolley
© New Tradition Music - 2021

credits

from THE ODD BOX (Album), track released November 5, 2021
Garrington T Jones: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Lap Slide Guitar
Emily Ewing: Backing Vocals.
Dave Draper: Electric & Bass Guitar, Keyboards, String Arrangements.
Rick A’Mortis: Drums

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Garrington T Jones image

Garrington T Jones England, UK

Garrington T Jones is a performer and recording artist who gives the art of lyrical storytelling a modern day edge.

Garrington describes himself as a "Rhythm shaker, a riff chaser, a lyric hunter, a song maker and a lover of acoustic Blues, Folk & Roots music. ... more

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