Photo: Explained belowFor the rest of the week, i On Global Trends will be a free-form Christmas Edition
This choir made my night and even managed to bring a bit of a tear to the eye of a cynical, miserable old git!
I came across the choir in Pitt Street, one of Sydney's main shopping thoroughfares. I arrived just when they started to sing a song that is beloved by many Australians, "I still call Australia Home" by the late Peter Allen.
My first thought was how well they were singing and how well they presented. Then I noticed the faces of the choir members - click on the photo and take a look. The members come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures - and all singing "I still call Australia home" as one voice
Then I thought, "it's a bit odd to include such a song in a Christmas program." But it began to make sense - not only to me, but I could sense the "energy" of the audience change when it came to this part -
"All the sons and daughters spinning 'round the world, away from their family and friends, but as the world gets older and colder, it's good to know where your journey ends. Someday we'll all be together once more, when all of the ships come back to the shore"
In the world in which we live, many of us have sons, daughters, friends and loved ones overseas. In all too many cases many are serving overseas in wars no one wanted, no one needed and very few agree with.
Many of us too are involved in long distance relationships, something that never happened to such an extent before. I know that is how I felt when I heard the words, "Someday we'll all be together once more."
The title may include the word "Australia" but the sentiment is universal.
So tonight I am going to change my usual farewell and instead of saying "wherever you may be - be safe"
Wherever your sons, daughters or loved ones may be - may you all be together once more.
