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Going Strong

by Tom Marlow

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about

This song was inspired by the book by Wade Davis - Into The Silence - about the Mount Everest Expeditions of 1921, 1922 and 1924 and the final attempt by George Mallory and Andrew "Sandy" Irvine.

On 8 June 1924 they attempted to reach the summit via the Northeast Ridge route. Noell Odell was observing them from a lower camp with a telescope and reported seeing them at 12:50 in the afternoon ascending one of the major "steps" on the North-East ridge and "going strongly for the top". It is not known if they reached the summit, or whether they ascended above the major Second Step. They never returned and Odell was the last person to see them alive. In 1999 George Mallory's body was found, but not the camera he had with him.

Cover photo by Eknbg via Pixabay.com

lyrics

Last seen going strong
Up to the highest high
If this way lay your destiny
What a beautiful day to try

Third time was a final chance
To climb towards your glory
A last ascent 'fore time ran out
To crown your whole life’s story
So many had died for nothing
Your England had been slain
So with this life is death
And you tried and tried again
Tried and tried again

To reach above the clouds
Not just because it’s there
A way to find some meaning
No reason not to dare
You were the chosen one
The whole world would admire
The peak of your ambition
Your summit of desire
Summit of desire

Was there time to think of those you loved and laugh
I wonder if you kissed and buried that photograph
Did you see what was coming and talk to your friend
And know it was the end
In the night on top of the world
In the night on top of the world

Did summit fever grip you?
For you there was no cure
You felt the mountain calling you
To something true and pure
The second step too far
As night fell all around
Did stars come out to warn you
That death lay close at hand?

Absent minded to the last
Or an act of do or die
Temptation was so strong
To end in swapping lies
Qomolangma took you
And held you to her breast
She maybe let you be the first
And there to ever rest

Last seen going strong
Up to the highest high
If this day was your destiny
What a beautiful way to die

credits

released February 15, 2023
Written and composed by Tom Marlow

Guitar - Mike Fonte (via Musiversal)
Bass - Pablo Arruba (via Musiversal)
Drums - Adam Alesi (via Musiversal)

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Tom Marlow Gothenburg, Sweden

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