Julia Turner says her song is a homage to all Kiwis who served on foreign battlefields, and those who stayed behind.
When Julia Turner watched newsreels of war she imagined how she would feel if it was her brother lying bloodied and bandaged on a stretcher. Now the singer-songwriter has penned a tribute song on the horrors of war that will be released at Te Papa on the centenary of the
outbreak of World War I.
Soldiers has been offered to planners of WW100 - New Zealand's World War I centenary programme - to become the official song. Turner described it yesterday as a homage to all Kiwis who served on foreign battlefields, and those who stayed behind.
"War is a very hard thing to comprehend," the Auckland musician said. "I had no way of personally saying thank you to those who fought, those who came home, those who didn't, and those who attend memorial services too, because they keep their memories alive."
The song has been produced by New Zealander Greg Haver, who has worked with top international acts, including the Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia and Super Furry Animals.
A music video featuring original Great War footage projected onto the screen of the Vic Theatre in Devonport, has also been released.
