I was inspired to write this song by the now viral photo of baby strollers on the train platform in Poland, left for arriving refugees in a deep act of kindness. The song tells the story of mothers and their children fleeing their homes and finding a small but powerful gift of welcome.
I wrote the song but wanted to involve Ukrainian artists in its production. Engaging through online platforms I was able to work with three Ukrainian singers to create a masterful and haunting recording of the song, called ‘Lulilu.” Part lullaby, part story, and part soaring harmonies, “Lulilu” gives deeper meaning to the ongoing struggle in Ukraine.
The three Ukrainian singers worked independently to create the vocal arrangement. Two of them are currently in Ukraine (one in Kyiv and one in Odessa) and the third has fled the country and is in Hungary. Their names are being withheld for the moment for security reasons.
Francesco Molavolta took the famous photograph, which shows the strollers waiting for the arrival of refugees. Other photos have documented similar offerings of car seats, toys, food, diapers, and milk at train stations across the Eastern European borders. In times of great violence, actions of kindness loom even larger.
Lulilu is a phrase associated with lullabies in Ukraine. I don’t know how much or how often, but the soothing sound seemed to fit with the idea of the song. I can imagine some of the feelings of mothers escaping with their children. And we know that lullabies help to soothe parents as much as they soothe children.
The song will be available soon on streaming platforms. But for now, a rough mix is available here.