Last Train From Mariupol

I have now listened to Flying With Angels, the current and newly released Suzanne Vega several times. That is the benefit of deciding to rediscover the use of a CD player after several years and to start playing the albums of my favourite singers again in full.

There is a song which is quite thought provoking on it, Last Train From Mariupol, which directly addresses Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine in 2022, and which was written shortly afterwards.

As this is a serious issue, I will share the lyrics here:

[Verse 1]
There’s a last train from Mariupol
Mariupol, oh, Mariupol
Last train from Mariupol
See how the platform is heaving

[Verse 2]
Who’s on the train from Mariupol?
Mariupol, Mariupol
Who’s on the train from Mariupol?
All of humanity fleeing

[Verse 3]
I heard God himself was on the last train
Mariupol, Mariupol
God himself was on the last train
Frightened by all he was seeing

[Verse 4]
There’s a last train from Mariupol
Mariupol, Mariupol
Last train from Mariupol
All of humanity grieving