The Worst Sight That I've Seen So Far

Memories are passed down in all sorts of ways, but letters remain one of the most tangible ways for us to connect with family and the past. Sometimes those memories can be painful but can contain an inherent and illuminating beauty that needs to be shared with others.

A long-distant event from a 70-year-old letter from a loved one is the driving force behind The Worst Sight That I’ve Seen So Far, the new single from High Peak (Derbyshire) based Debris Discs – the solo venture of former Coves & Caves/My Side of the Mountain member James Eary. The single announcement coincides with news of Debris Discs’ upcoming Post War Plans album – a 12-track concept piece inspired by letters written by his grandfather during the second world war.

Says James, “The Worst Sight That I’ve Seen So Far is based on a letter my Grandpa wrote in the summer of 1942, following some fierce fighting in Egypt. Despite laying in a hospital bed recovering from dysentery, his prose is extraordinary.”

For James, the substance of his grandfather’s letter was as important as its writing style: “The juxtaposition of horror and beauty, overlaid with matter-of-fact humility really struck me. The flow and cadence of his words had a lyrical quality that seemed to fit perfectly with my melody.”

This is something that is perfectly encapsulated in the wonderfully worded yet blisteringly stark chorus of the song, as the letter writer reflects on the danger behind the beguiling lights in the night sky:

Like fireworks in the Belle Vue sky But when they hit you on the ground You’ll forget about how they look When you go down

The personal and familial nature of the track and the everlasting connection he has made to his grandfather is important to James: “It’s the one track on the album that’s as much written by my Grandpa as it is by me, so I hope the end result has done him justice.”