Roger Waters releases charity version of “Comfortably Numb” with new lyrics

Although Roger Waters has retired from touring, he is still involved in music and has released a new charity version of Pink Floyd‘s classic “Comfortably Numb”. The track was recorded with acclaimed Palestinian singer Mona Miari and features new lyrics that combine English and Arabic. The proceeds will go to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, a non-profit organization that provides free medical care for injured and ill children in Palestine.

“Every child deserves access to medical care, no matter where they are born. From organizing volunteer medical missions to building pediatric cancer centres and supporting children in need of critical care, PCRF works every day to heal wounds – both visible and invisible – caused by conflict, poverty, and displacement,” Roger Waters said.

Some of the biggest changes to the lyrics include the main line becoming “I will never become comfortably numb” and the addition of new lyrics such as “Equal human rights for all, from the river to the sea” and “Palestine will be free… Falasteen.”

Roger Waters releases charity version of “Comfortably Numb” with new lyrics

Lyrics

“Roger – Verse 1:
Hello, is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me, Is there anyone at home?
Come on now, I hear you‘re feeling down
Well, I can ease the pain,
Get you on your feet again
Relax, Relax I need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts

Mona – Verse 1:
After all that’s happened
There’s no one left
No words are left
Why ask at all?
All that is gone
Home.. beloved home
The night fell silent and the dawn unraveled in whispers

The olive branch
reaches up to the stars
carries the wounds
of a wailing nation

Chorus:
Roger – verse 2:
I feel your pain from New York City
I feel your pain across the sea
That distant ship on the horizon
Is calling out to you and me

Mona – verse 2:
When I was young, I dreamt of freedom
Today it is hope that fuels who I am.
We are roots breaking through rocks
From under the rubble, we birth our fate
we are the light after darkness
we are what’s promised, we are the dream

Roger & Mona:

I will never become comfortably numb

Roger – Verse 3:

We never knew about the Nakba
I was only five years old in ‘48
We were unaware, what was happening over there
It breaks my heart I came on board so late
You reached us all, with your rallying call
Now here we stand at your gate.

Mona’s verse 3:
Writer of the page, write on every line
tell them how the siege rages all around
Homes have fallen.. some live, so many die
the land is going nowhere, we are destined to return

Roger – Verse 4:
The time has come for a new beginning
Time to draw a new line in the sand
It is time to wipe/clean the slate
Go back to 1948
Before the settlers stole the land
When grandma’s key unlocked the door
And everyone revered the olive tree
And every human life was sacred everyone,
Every daughter, every son
With equal human right for everyone

Lullaby:

Mona:

The pretty birds in the courtyard
The pretty birds in the courtyard
Mother, come find me

Roger:
Is that a Lullaby
Is that your child’s name
I hear you through the rubble
I can feel your pain

Mona:
Mother, come find me
Embrace me in the sky

Roger:
I hear you every morning
Praying with your mom
Your steadfast perseverance
Calls me from afar

Mona:
I leave you with the homeland,
with the soil, with the trees,
I hold your heart and pray at dusk

Roger:
I hear a mother’s prayer
Across the raging main
I hear an angel’s voice
Calling out my name

Mona:
We remain the free
we remain the free
Even if exiled from earth to the sky

Roger:
Palestine must be free
I would cross the ocean just
To save one olive tree
With equal rights, for everyone
River to the sea

Our destiny, our home,
Palestine, Palestine.”

The official video for the song was filmed in New York and Gaza. According to the organizers, the crew came under bombardment in real time while shooting in Gaza. “The making of this video did not surpass the reality of Gaza today. Our Emmy-recognised crew was being bombed in real time while filming and would frequently lose connection with the production team. Most have never been permitted to leave Gaza, yet they continue to make vital work under siege.”

David Gilmour’s name does not appear in the songwriting credits for this version, although he was credited on the original recording. This time, only Waters and Miari are listed as songwriters.