Uploaded January 2022 | Updated September 2026, 30 minutes ago
'' In spite of everything, I still believe people are good at heart''
Anne Frank.
The 27th of January commemorates the date that Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Red Army in 1945. The day remembers the killing of 6 million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.
I recently listened to a very chilling interview from the most amazing lady, approaching 90 years of age, and a survivor of the death camps, . She very calmly spoke of arriving at Auschwitz, and stepping off the cattle wagon, where immediately the 'Selection' of life and death took place. As she went on to say, If you looked strong, or had a skill, you were spared .The weak, the old, pregnant women and children went to their deaths. This lady was musical. She was spared. The Nazis highly valued music and often gave special treatment to those who had the skill to play an instrument . Those selected for survival, were placed to the right, those to be murdered, to the left. .She then went on to say about how she coped. Her haunting words stayed in my mind She said, .' If you cried, you would never stop, so by not crying , it made you strong to cope.
Today I dedicate this to not only to the millions of Jews who lost their lives, but to everyone throughout history, who have and still are today being persecuted at the many hands of evil and inhumanity throughout this world...May we never forget.
Although a shocking and terrible subject matter for my song, I thank those who listen.
To the left or to the right
Where shall you go
Young girl, you can sing, you can play the piano
To the left or to the right
Do you want to know
No hand to hold, just hush, do as you're told
And crying has no end so not crying keeps you strong
You're still breathing , so that's hope
Which line do you belong
To the left or to the right
Where shall you go
Young man , you can dig a hole, your bare hands move the soil
To the left or to the right
Where's the place for you
You are strong, you are brave
Maybe that may see you through
And crying has no end so not crying keeps you strong
You're still breathing , so that's hope
Which line do you belong
To the left to the right
Old man I think you know
Years of love, warmth and pride
Still dignified, stand tall, don't fall.........
Ali Hammond original 2022
Photograph courtesy of the Jewish holocaust archives.
'' In spite of everything, I still believe people are good at heart''
Anne Frank.
The 27th of January commemorates the date that Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Red Army in 1945. The day remembers the killing of 6 million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.
I recently listened to a very chilling interview from the most amazing lady, approaching 90 years of age, and a survivor of the death camps, . She very calmly spoke of arriving at Auschwitz, and stepping off the cattle wagon, where immediately the 'Selection' of life and death took place. As she went on to say, If you looked strong, or had a skill, you were spared .The weak, the old, pregnant women and children went to their deaths. This lady was musical. She was spared. The Nazis highly valued music and often gave special treatment to those who had the skill to play an instrument . Those selected for survival, were placed to the right, those to be murdered, to the left. .She then went on to say about how she coped. Her haunting words stayed in my mind She said, .' If you cried, you would never stop, so by not crying , it made you strong to cope.
Today I dedicate this to not only to the millions of Jews who lost their lives, but to everyone throughout history, who have and still are today being persecuted at the many hands of evil and inhumanity throughout this world...May we never forget.
Although a shocking and terrible subject matter for my song, I thank those who listen.
To the left or to the right
Where shall you go
Young girl, you can sing, you can play the piano
To the left or to the right
Do you want to know
No hand to hold, just hush, do as you're told
And crying has no end so not crying keeps you strong
You're still breathing , so that's hope
Which line do you belong
To the left or to the right
Where shall you go
Young man , you can dig a hole, your bare hands move the soil
To the left or to the right
Where's the place for you
You are strong, you are brave
Maybe that may see you through
And crying has no end so not crying keeps you strong
You're still breathing , so that's hope
Which line do you belong
To the left to the right
Old man I think you know
Years of love, warmth and pride
Still dignified, stand tall, don't fall.........
Ali Hammond original 2022
Photograph courtesy of the Jewish holocaust archives.
