Amnesty Criteria was released on the Mike Peters & The Alarm Viral Black album on 22nd September 2017. On the CD release it is unlisted but is track 9, it is credited on the vinyl release. This song is the only one from Viral Black which was not reworked to appear on Equals or Sigma. This is one of the few songs released by The Alarm or Mike Peters which does not include the title in the lyrics and has been seen called Lay Down Your Arms, as this is the chorus
Viral Black album recording
Running length 3:21
Written by Mike Peters
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Electro Harmonix Mel9
James Stevenson – Electric & Bass Guitar
Steve “Smiley” Barnard – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Jules Jones Peters – Piano, Backing Vocals
George Williams – Keyboards, Bass Guitar
Recorded at Bethel Chapel Studios, Dyserth, Wales, Parr Street Studio A, Liverpool, England in January/February 2017
Produced and mixed by George Williams
Engineered by Tony Draper and Mark Warden.
Mastered by Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studio, London NW8, England
Album Appearances and discography for studio version
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
(All Images right click to open larger in new window)
22nd September 2017 : Mike Peters & The Alarm – Viral Black
Released on CD and Vinyl by Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue numbers 21C089 (CD), 21C089LP (vinyl)
Original 2017 original recording
Lyrics
Wave at a soldier, kiss the police
Embrace the fanatic with love and peace
Show them love they will show it back
Take your enemy by the hand
What is a leader if he cannot lead
Talk to your opposite and believe
Lay down your arms tonight
You can be stronger with love on your side
Lay down your arms tonight
Let me be the one to make it alright
Give understanding and it will come back
Bridges of peace are being built to last
Brick by brick one step one way
I look to grow it will come of age
The seeds of hate will be swept aside
Make the passion intensify
(Lay down)
Lay down your arms tonight
You can be stronger with love on your side
(Lay down)
Lay down your arms tonight
Let me be the one to make it alright
Alright
Love will build the bridge of peace
Love will reach the other side
Hey!
We’ll bow to love
(Love)
With understanding as the guide
Oh oh
(Lay down)
Lay down your arms tonight
You can be stronger with love on your side
(Lay down)
Lay down your arms tonight
We can be stronger with love on your side
Lay down
(Lay down)
Lay down your arms tonight
Let me be the one
Lay down
Audio & Visual Sources – 1 x Audio
Audio Link – Audio from Soundcloud website
(Page updated 07/04/2023)