The Wall
On 22nd February 2011, Christchurch, New Zealand suffered a 6.3 magnitude earthquake which killed 185 people in the city.
This is a true story. We were in the process of moving from Wellington after seven years back home to Christchurch. The quake was 5 days prior to our move.
In 2017, a memorial wall was erected to commemorate the victims of the earthquake.
The Wall - Music & Lyrics SL Miller
Chorus
They built a wall beside the river
There’s a wall, with their names etched in the marble
To commemorate that day, their souls may be gone
But their memories will stay… there on the wall
Verse 1
We were leaving Wellington, heading back down South
I said goodbye to all my friends that day…
When a call from someone said, have you heard the news
There’s been another quake and the spire has come down
I raced home to watch it on TV
My heart was devastated to watch my home town fall
Rubble and souls in the street
I cried as I watched, people’s faces
Waiting for signs of their family
Chorus
They built a wall beside the river
There’s a wall, with their names etched in the marble
To commemorate that day, their souls may be gone
But their memories will stay… there on the wall
Verse 2
A hundred and eighty five, people died that day
It was luchtime at twelve fifty one.
Mid summer now, people having fun
But mother nature took it all away
She wasn’t holding anything back at all
Now that I’m here, things don’t feel clear
My childhood ripped out from underneath
Each day I walk to work, and all I see
Are there names, staring back at me
Chorus
They built a wall beside the river
There’s a wall, with their names etched in the marble
Bridge
They built a wall beside the river
There’s a wall, with their names etched in the marble
To commemorate that day… their souls may be gone
But their memories will stay…. there on the wall
Copyright © 7 April 2017 Sharon L Miller All Rights Reserved