April 9, 2014 by alunparry

Song For John Hartwell

I have spent the day writing this song. It was extremely emotional in the writing.

It comes off the back of several days of personal torment as I wrestle with issues around my own training to be a psychotherapist.

This is based on a true story. It brings out a lot of the concerns I have been having for the past few weeks.

It’s something that I don’t believe has really been owned and dealt with.

For John.

Well I’m singing this song for John Hartwell
Burned to death in a bath at 18
Tied up and killed by his own psychotherapists
Imposing their brutal regime

But their colleagues they hailed them as heroes
And they gave them their highest award
No mention of Hartwell as they stood
To cheer and applaud

It’s for your own good all these things that we do to you
We know that you’ll thank us some day
Our theories were invented on backs of envelopes
But we won’t let that stand in our way

Hail to the ones who are experts
And worship their fine expertise
Don’t expect evidence
Just let them do what they please

And pity the one they call Patient
Whenever the expert draws near
Any fanatic will sure be an expert
If it’s in their own madcap idea

It’s for your own good all these things that we do to you
We know that you’ll thank us some day
Our theories were invented on backs of envelopes
But we won’t let that stand in our way

And now there’s a sanitised history
Where they hide all the bloodshed and pain
So no supple conscience is challenged
By John Hartwell’s name

But cages are there to be rattled
If dead men fall out when we do
So own your own shit
Just like you tell your clients to do

It’s for your own good all these things that we do to you
We know that you’ll thank us some day
Our theories were invented on backs of envelopes
But we won’t let that stand in our way

So I’m singing this song for John Hartwell
And the victims of experts excess
So here’s to love, mutuality and
Some humility won’t go amiss

Just accept that you don’t have the answer
Just bring me your love care and doubt
And speak out for truth, for respect and justice
When it’s the next time to shout

Let there be no more of things that are done to you
Let’s see an end to that day
Hold to the ones who know trust must be won to you
There really is no other way