Lulilu (Strollers on the Platform)
By Stuart Stotts
On this train headed West Lulilu Lulilu
We are uninvited guests Lulilu
with the clothes we could pack. Lulilu Lulilu
And with diapers, milk and snacks. Lulilu
What will be waiting at the station
When we reach our destination?
With our children in our arms. Lulilu Lulilu
Far from home and far from harm.
When the shells fell that night Lulilu Lulilu
Those who could stayed to fight Lulilu.
I looked in my husband’s eyes. Lulilu Lulilu
As he kissed us each goodbye. Lulilu
What will be waiting at the station
When we reach our destination?
With our children in our arms Lulilu Lulilu
Far from home and far from harm.
Across the rivers past the wheat fields.
To the rocking of the steel wheels
I can’t pray I can’t cry lulilululilu
I can sing this lullaby.
Now the train is slowing down
In this Polish border town.
On the platform I can see
Though my tears wash over me
Baby strollers waiting there
From the Polish moms who care.
For our families far from home. Lulilu lulilu
Held with love. Not alone.
Held with love far from home.
Songwriter’s Note:
I was inspired to write this song by the now-viral photo of baby strollers on the train platform in Poland, left for arriving refugees in a deep act of kindness. The song tells the story of mothers and their children fleeing their homes and finding a small but powerful gift of welcome.
I wrote the song but wanted to involve Ukrainian artists in its production. Engaging through online platforms I was able to work with three Ukrainian singers to create a masterful and haunting recording of the song, called ‘Lulilu.” Part lullaby, part story, and part soaring harmonies, “Lulilu” gives deeper meaning to the ongoing struggle in Ukraine.
The three Ukrainian singers worked independently to create the vocal arrangement. Two of them are currently in Ukraine (one in Kyiv and one in Odessa) and the third has fled the country and is in Hungary. Their names are being withheld for the moment for security reasons.
Francesco Malavolta took the famous photograph [above], which shows the strollers waiting for the arrival of refugees. Other photos have documented similar offerings of car seats, toys, food, diapers, and milk at train stations across the Eastern European borders. In times of great violence, actions of kindness loom even larger.
Lulilu is a phrase associated with lullabies in Ukraine. I don’t know how much or how often, but the soothing sound seemed to fit with the idea of the song. I can imagine some of the feelings of mothers escaping with their children. And we know that lullabies help to soothe parents as much as they soothe children.
© Stuart Stotts 2022
Hear this song and others by Stuart Stotts at stuartstotts.com opens in a new tab.
View more of Francesco Malavolta’s photography at francescomalavolta.com opens in a new tab.
