Songfacts®:

• Nicholas Winton (1909-2015) was an Englishman who set up a system to move Czechoslovakian children to Britain in the lead-up to WWII, rescuing them from the Nazis. He is credited with saving hundreds of children, but his work wasn't well known until much later, when it was reported in the British press. He was knighted for his efforts in 2003.
• Vincent Poag told Songfacts the story behind this song: "I was sitting at a restaurant bar having a drink talking to this stranger. Somehow the subject drifted to heroic people and he told me this incredible story about Nicholas Winton (now Sir Nicholas Winton). I was so moved, I couldn't stop thinking about it. When I got home, I read everything I could about him. Needless to say, the story moved me enough to document it in song. It wasn't just the extensive actions he took to save so many children; it was that it was kept a secret for about 50 years. His story and modesty will hopefully inspire ordinary people to help and get involved for many years to come.
  
  I wrote this song about five years ago when he was 100. He died at 105. I have since been in touch with both of his children."