« Les was inspired by the Chernobyl disaster in April 1986, when an accident at a nuclear power station in the then Soviet Union killed many and contaminated a wide area of the Ukraine, close to Kiev. The song is a lament for the people of the area, who were innocent victims.»
My friends it's not what you were famous for
But now the whole world's watching you
If we could help you then you know we would
But we don't know just what to do
Eye to eye our ways are not the same
We never tried to understand
But it could pass to each of us you name
Then who's the one to take the blame
Kiev, a candle with a flame
You'll never be the same
Our hearts go out to you
And what you're going through
They've thrown away your past
Just like an empty glass
Into the fire
Someone wiser took the Steppe from you
I'm sure with reason it was right
But now it seems the whole world's blaming you
And who's the one to put things right
Kiev, a candle with a flame
You'll never be the same
Our hearts go out to you
And what you're going through
They've thrown away your past
Just like an empty glass
Into the fire
Kiev, a candle with a flame
You'll never be the same
We all will understand
You're really not to blame
They've thrown away your past
Just like an empty glass
Into the fire Kiev
[Les Holroyd, BJH Ltd/Handle Music Ltd]
