Love For the Turning World

Love For the Turning World was commissioned by the International Grammar School Sydney, under the direction of Alison Housley, to honour the 30th Anniversary in 2014. It was composed by Bonnie Nilsson and Paul and is part of a moving three part song cycle.

After getting to know the community Paul was very touched by the story of former student Valerio DeSimoni.

Valerio (pictured above, centre) was a young Italo Australian man of 24 whose life ended tragically in a road accident in Malawi while attempting with two friends to break the world record of the longest journey on Quad Bikes. At the same time Valerio and his friends were raising funds for OXFAM Australia, a non-profit organisation, to fight poverty and support the ‘Southern Africa Livelihood Program’. During their trip from Istanbul to Sydney through 34 countries and 3 continents Valerio and his friends were also trying to spread the environmental message: Saving Energy/Saving the Planet.

Valerio had been writing a journal, now published as ‘Real Love for the Turning World’. After reading this insightful work, Paul felt that Valerio’s passion for this world, and the people in it, was a true example of how a community can work well. This was the fundamental aim of International Grammar. After receiving permission from Valerio’s family, Paul would pen three works with his wife and collaborator Bonnie Nilsson. Thanks always to Bonnie for her gift, to Valerio and his family and the community of IGS.

For more about Valerio and the following foundation please see Valerio De Simoni

Audio sample courtesy of IGS and recorded by Ross A’Hern

Themes

Sing a concert opener Sing a global story Sing a message Sing for an eisteddfod Sing from the heart
Duration 3:40
Key Eb
Range Standard SAB with Descant part
More info Also available with strings. Contact Paul for parts & scores
Price AU$3.00 per copy

Lyrics

L O V E   F O R   T H E   T U R N I N G   W O R L D

By Bonnie Nilsson & Paul Jarman 

All my life I’ve been waiting for something to jump out 
And tell me what it is I’ve been living to see
All my life I’ve been hoping to tell the world
To listen to her breathe, her struggle to be free

And is this way we are meant to be?
And is this the way we can learn?

And everything will be fine 
Take a deep breath
Now isn’t that a big enough sign?

All my life I’ve been learning 
That I don’t need to follow, that I can lead
Take my hand, up here beside me
Let’s start this journey, right here, right now

And this is the way we are meant to be
And this is the way we can learn
Love for the turning world

So who’s to know what’s coming next?
You’ve got to live today, give today
All my life, all my life
Love for the turning world

© Paul Jarman 2014