That phrase is from the lyrics of ‘I watch you sleeping’ – which is a little known and hauntingly beautiful song composed and written by Mike Batt.
The song was written about his son who was born two months prematurely, while he was in the hospital, lending a deep personal resonance to the lyrics. It was for an album Cameron Macintosh was making about Christmas, and Mike Batt later said in an interview that he thought it might be like a ‘little nativity song’.
I am surprised that it has not been performed in a musical in the West End or on Broadway.
The song is on the Album ‘A Songwriter’s Tale by Mike Batt, released in 2008.
You can listen to the song on Amazon Music by searching for the Album.
It may move you to tears!
The song speaks to several profound human truths regarding parenthood, vulnerability, unconditional love, hope, and the desire to protect innocence in a complex world.
I think that the song resonates and holds great meaning today, speaking to innocence, dreams, hope and above all, the unconditional duty of all humanity to watch over and protect children everywhere, irrespective of culture, tribe or religion.
I can imagine this song being adapted for a powerful dramatic performance on the stage, e.g. in a musical about the innocence of children born during war.
Mike Batt is widely considered a significant, though sometimes overlooked, great of the UK music industry, known for diverse success as a songwriter, producer, and conductor, creating iconic hits like ‘Bright Eyes,’ nurturing Katie Melua, masterminding The Wombles, and working with major orchestras, despite being overshadowed by his Wombles work in the public eye. He’s a maverick, mixing pop, rock, and classical, and is admired for his entrepreneurial vision and artistic range.
So perhaps writers and producers will be inspired by ‘I watch you sleeping’, to create a musical about victims of war who have no voice of their own – all children born during war!
A Songwriter’s Tale: A Songwriter’s Tale by Mike Batt: Amazon.co.uk: CDs & Vinyl