This is one of the 5 most wonderful and moving songs from Peter Hammill (therefore in history). About 2 of his best friends (Mike and Susie) emigrating and leaving him alone, it becomes a song about all refugees over the planet. The melody, the lyrics, the voice, the arrangements, all makes this song an immortal standard. That it was not a massive hit à-la “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (and it’s much better) is a mystery (and a misery) to me. Surely that in 1970, people wanted roughier stuff (it was Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin that succeded). “Refugees” was extracted from The Least We Can Do… LP but this single version is different from the LP one. [Source]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efc1DoZjT4I
[Dedicated to Mogens Toudahl in Berlin-Friedrichshain]
New Music United 