In October 1971 'Song of the marching children' was released, the second Earth and Fire album, regarded by many publications as one of the best Dutch albums ever made. This album still reaches high positions in all kinds of album charts, even after thirty years.

The first album contained individual songs, but ‘Song of the marching children’ was Earth and Fire’s first concept album. It was recorded in three studios. Apart from the GTB studio in The Hague, the band also recorded in the Phonogram studio in Hilversum and the Soundpush studio in Blaricum. Producer Fred Haaven was assisted by Jaap Eggermont and Dick Bakker, the director of the famous Metropool Orchestra, was one of the sound technicians.