by Al Stewart

I have listened to this song hundreds of times. I can not get away from needing to understand WW2.

The song is about a Russian Resistance fighter… his story… and his reward of life exile in Siberia. Because he met westerners. My father met Russians who were probably shipped off to Siberia, just for having met a westerner. 30 million Russians died… more than one in five. In some cities… fewer than 10% survived. Over 85% of Hitler’s war effort was against the Russians. Many say 90%.

Why?

My father never stopped looking for why. And he left me that heritage… I have to understand, why? How could such a thing happen??? 100 million people lost in a World War… who even knows that?