Hope Sings the Tune
Posted on 3rd April 2019
“Hope sings the tune…” a concert for ‘Brexit Day’. Brexit day may have been postponed, but it was still wonderful to get together, to be reminded of the joy of being, working and playing together. It was a chance to focus on the positive – the good news always present in life, if we get the chance to look for it.
Our community of children began by welcoming everyone in all the languages of our school: Spanish, Swedish, Italian, Polish, Bulgarian, Czech, Maori and English. (We also have lots of children with parents whose ‘English’ comes from another nation; South Africa, USA, New Zealand and Ireland.) We are one school, one community, and we love creating something together.
Words are delicious, but they’re only a small part of communication, and language barriers can get in the way. Year 5 performed Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the thing with feathers…” in both spoken words and British Sign Language.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.
We sang some glorious lyrics, and also spoke through pianos, flute, drums and brass.
Bishop James shared his words about hope. Thank you Bishop James! And we finished with the following poem by Thich Nhat Hanh before singing “Don’t stop me now, I’m having such a good time, I’m having a ball.” Which we were.
The Good News
They don’t publish
the good news.
The good news is published
by us.
We have a special edition every moment,
and we need you to read it.
The good news is that you are alive,
and the linden tree is still there,
standing firm in the harsh Winter.
The good news is that you have wonderful eyes
to touch the blue sky.
The good news is that your child is there before you,
and your arms are available:
hugging is possible.
They only print what is wrong.
Look at each of our special editions.
We always offer the things that are not wrong.
We want you to benefit from them
and help protect them.
The dandelion is there by the sidewalk,
smiling its wondrous smile,
singing the song of eternity.
Listen! You have ears that can hear it.
Bow your head.
Listen to it.
Leave behind the world of sorrow
and preoccupation
and get free.
The latest good news
is that you can do it.
(I think of each of the children as a ‘special edition’)
