Hunger is a new single from the musical – The Hollow Cause, which explores Holocaust survival stories in a contemporary way.
Hunger was inspired by the challenges, strength, and bravery of teenagers during the Holocaust. With its protagonist, Lilli, modelled after the likes of Anne frank, Miriam Chaszczewacki, Renia Spiegel, Rutka Laskier, Věra Kohnová & Janina Altman, who kept diaries during that time.
Hunger features a fusion of music; drawing from Jewish heritage, which presents a middle eastern approach to its vocals, harmonies, orchestrations, and rhythms, and coupled with a modern western pop approach.
lyrics
Hunger,
Consuming my body and mind.
Oh,
Hunger,
It strips off hope and leaves it behind.
Oh,
Hu-hunger,
Has me feeling terrified.
Year one: We packed only one suitcase and had to leave everything, for
the Nazis were getting closer.
Our neighbour gave us shelter, in a hole under the floor, which reeked of
sewage odour.
Now, my back and knees are sore,
In darkness forevermore.
I should be thankful to be alive,
But there’s one thing on my mind, which I can’t deny.
Oh,
Hunger,
Consuming my body and mind.
Oh,
Hunger,
It strips off hope and leaves it behind.
Oh,
Hu-hunger,
Has me feeling terrified.
Mother,
I wish I had half your strength.
Oh,
Mother,
Keeping your sorrow at arm’s length.
Oh,
Hu-hunger,
Has me feeling petrified.
Year two: My uncle stopped eating and passed while he was asleep, his
body is rotting with us.
And every day, our “saviour” keeps taking mama, and warns her to cause
no fuss.
Now, dad won’t look at mom,
Yet she asks me to stay calm,
She sneaks food up in her palm,
All the while I scream inside, “mom, it’s not enough!“
Hunger,
Consuming my body and mind.
Oh,
Hunger,
It strips off hope and leaves it behind.
Oh,
Hu-hunger,
Has me feeling terrified.
Mother,
I wish I had half your strength.
Oh,
Mother,
Keeping your sorrow at arm’s length.
Oh,
Hu-hunger,
Has me feeling petrified.
Year three: The Nazis came barging, grabbed us and push to the
ground. Dad fought them, and now he’s gone.
They pulled mom away and placed us on two different trucks. To
Auschwitz, I got before dawn.
They stripped me of my clothes,
In a living hell I roam,
Work my fingers to the bone.
And as I watch our genocide,
There’s a fire lit inside and that’s to survive.
Oh,
Hunger,
For vengeance, for making them pay.
Oh,
Hunger,
To live to fight another day.
Oh,
Hu-hunger,
I will not be your prey.
Hunger,
For vengeance, for making them pay.
Oh,
Hunger,
To live to fight another day.
Oh,
Hu-hunger,
I will not,
Die today.
credits
released May 26, 2023
Produced, Written, Composed, Arranged, Recorded, Mixed, Additional Vocals, Guitar & Daf Programming: Keshet.
Vocals: Kelsey Skinner. Bass: Lyle M. Anwar. Drums: Idan Freedman. Darbuka: Ridvan Lumanovski. Violin & Viola: Noam Haimovitz Weinschel. Cello: Jackie Fay. Choir: Chris Coman, Adrian Faithfull, Ross De Baker, Caleb Stevens, James L. Maley, Taj Johnstone, Richard Maulen, Andrew Shugg, David Major, Luke Miller, & Mark William Podmore.
Choir recorded by: Kieran Kenderessy @ Loop Recording Studio. Mastering by: John Mayfield @ mayfieldmastering
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