Always Hope

Part one from the song cycle ‘Island Heroes’, Always Hope was composed in 2005 for the Nona children of Badu Island in the Torres Strait, commissioned by George Torbay and Ian Jefferson for the Department of Education Primary Choral Concert series at the Sydney Opera House.

In 2004 the Nona’s were on a trip in their small ‘tinny’ to visit family on a neighbouring island. Their trip turned to disaster when the boat was swamped, capsising the whole family. Incredibly, the three children swam for 2 days, navigating their way through the ocean from open water, to a reef, and finally to an island where they were rescued. It is considered one of the great modern survival stories of the sea.

“Halfway through their seven-day ordeal, 12-year-old Stephen Nona stood on a barren outcrop of rocks in the Torres Strait and told his two sisters: “We have to swim or we’ll die.” The sea had already taken their parents and a four-year-old nephew after their boat overturned. On the horizon, they could barely see the top of a single palm tree. It promised survival, yet seemed impossibly far away. The three children joined hands and said “with one heart one mind, we can make it there”. The Age Newspaper

This sample was recorded by the Hillcrest Christian College Choir, Directed by Jenny Moon

 

Themes

Sing an Australian story Sing from the heart Sing the adventure
Duration 3:50
Key B minor modulating to G Major & E minor
Range B3 to E5
More info Performing the song cycle is recommended. 1) Always Hope - 2) Find the Way Home - 3) Coming Home
Price AU$3.00 per copy

Lyrics

Fearless son, fearless daughter
Ocean roars, boat goes down
Swim away, swim away
Save yourself you cannot drown

Fearless mother, fearless father
There’s no time to say goodbye
You are the finest on the island
Sacrificed to save our lives

Hold on, there’s always hope
Hold on, hold on
Hold on, there’s always hope
Try to hold on

Fearless child, fearless child
Only four,  too young to die
Far away, far away
Find a place to rest in peace

Our home so far away
No food, nor shelter
Burning sun upon our skin
Alone and so afraid

We stand upon this barren reef
Shadows on the lonely sea
Getting dark, day turns to night
Hope fades away

Fearless heart, fearless mind
Don’t give up this precious life
Find the strength in your spirit
Future brings a brighter day

© Paul Jarman 2012