A charity single in memory of Liberton schoologirl Keane Wallis-Bennett is now released.
Called ‘Keane’s Song’ it was written by her friends, with support from the school chaplaincy, just two days after Keane died tragically at Liberton High School.
Keane’s Song by Keane’s Girls, available now on iTunes and Google Play, is both a celebration of Keane’s personality and a lament that her friends miss her so much. The money raised from sales of the single will provide additional funds for enhancing the planned memorial garden at Liberton High School.
Aimee McCauley, 13, said: “I knew Keane since I was little, we had lots of fun times together. The song means a lot to me because when I’m sad, I can play the song and it makes me smile and remember all the good times. I miss her loads.”
Megan O’Hara, 13, said: “I can’t believe we’ve done this. Who would think we would go from writing the song in the church to help us cope to it being on iTunes!! Keane would love it.”
Keane’s mother Abbie Wallis said: “Keane’s friends have worked incredibly hard the past few months to make this happen and it would mean the world to myself and my family that everyone supports them by downloading the song.”
The song was created when the school chaplains, based in a partnership of local churches in the South East of Edinburgh, decided to open up the church next to the school (Liberton Northfield) in the days following the tragedy as a space where people could come and reflect, pray, light candles and write in a book of condolences.
Many pupils, teachers and members of the local community came through the space in the next few days. During a quiet spell on Thursday afternoon, one of the chaplains was playing guitar when a group of first year pupils entered the building. They asked him to keep playing and this led on to the idea of trying to write a song about Keane. Ideas and suggestions began to flow and soon there was the beginnings of a song.
The pupils returned later that evening to continue writing it and then returned the next day to listen to the song again. At their request the song was sung at a balloon release held at Goodtrees on the Friday afternoon and with the family’s permission, it was sung at a memorial service in Liberton Northfield the following Sunday. The song was then sung at Keane’s funeral service.
On each occasion it was one of the chaplains, David McNeish, who sang it on behalf of the young people who helped create it. The possibility of recording a version of the song with pupils themselves singing began to take shape. The chaplains therefore worked with a committed group of Keane’s friends who rehearsed the song weekly before recording it in the Music Department using equipment that the PTA had raised funds for previously. With help from Scott McCorquodale, Principal Teacher of Music, and bass and lead guitar from Guitar Teacher Mike McGeary, the song was recorded, mixed and uploaded to iTunes and Google Play.
David McNeish, Probationer Minister at Church of Scotland’s Liberton Kirk, said “I am so unbelievably proud of all the young people who helped to write and record this song. It’s incredibly moving to hear them singing their hearts out and a fitting tribute to their friend Keane, who loved music so much. Everyone is very excited that the single is now available to order from iTunes and we hope many people get a chance to hear just how brilliant Keane’s Girls are.”
Keane’s big step-sister Rebecca Nicholson-Bennett tweeted her support from Melbourne, Australia “She loved music so I’m sure she’s excited for the single release. Do my baby sister proud :)”
Headteacher Stephen Kelly said: “Coming together and recording the song is a very special way for Keane’s friends to remember her by. We’ve been blown away by the community response in support of the school – they’ve been absolutely fantastic and I hope everyone takes the opportunity to download the song and raise additional funds for the memorial.”
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Though I commend these young girls for their effort, I can’t help but feel the very least Edinburgh should do, is build and pay for a memorial garden. After all, the very place a young person should be safe is at school! I am still disgusted that this happened in my city.
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