Hugging Barbed Wire

I heard this song in its earliest forms as Owen turned his feelings into music. 16, “A” levels and a brother behaving in more and more bizarre ways as he become increasingly psychotic. Owen took on the role of being a very different support for Ross – separate from his parents and escaping some of the more agonising interactions, he provided a less fraught brotherly interaction and point of contact for the family. Behind the maturity he showed was all this…. I’m not the only one to find this song utterly compelling. I watched a room full mental health professionals welling up as he played his heart.

Hugging Barbed Wire

there you are
walking down a lonely road
you walk with your eyes closed
oblivious to the world
the warning signs are clear
shouting into your ear
but you’re deaf to the worried cries
turn back, we need you here

and you know you are

you’re hugging barbed wire
and rising, floating higher
you’re playing with fire
inhaling poison euphoria
you’re hugging barbed wire
and stumbling, falling further
you’re playing with fire
soon surrounded
there’ll be no way out

then where will you go..

breathe in a dream
breathe out your reality
staring through glazed eyes
hide in familiarity
all eyes on you
watching your every move
you want to escape them
but your freedom has imprisoned you

you’re hugging barbed wire
and rising, floating higher
you’re playing with fire
inhaling poison euphoria
you’re hugging barbed wire
and stumbling, falling further
you’re playing with fire
soon surrounded
there’ll be no way out

Bloody barbed wire
Owen singing