Southern Sky

Southern Sky is the finale to the song cycle of the same name, commissioned by the South Australian Public Primary Schools Festival of Music in 2007. 

This piece is a an anthem dedicated to learning from Aboriginal wisdom. Through the southern sky we can learn more about the diversity of Aboriginal Culture. This knowledge Sundaysunset.images-Denham-WA-Sep-6can help us place relevance and meaning to the constellations, help us find direction at night, tell the time, and be used as a calendar and for the changing of seasons, forecasting the weather, finding food and learning interesting stories.

Paul acknowledges Adele Pring, Project Officer, Aboriginal and cultural studies and reconciliation, Aboriginal Education Unit for her extensive paper on Australian Aboriginal Astronomy which helped inspire this piece.

This sample is courtesy of the South Australian Public Primary Schools Festival of Music

 

 

Themes

Sing a Finale Sing a history Sing a message Sing an Australian story
Duration 3:25
Key C Major, modulates to D and F Major
Range Standard SA - C4 to Eb5
More info Also available with symphony orchestra. Contact Paul for parts and scores
Price AU$3.00 per copy

Lyrics

S O U T H E R N   S K Y                        

By Paul Jarman
             
We can learn the stories of the Southern Sky
Hear the wisdom of Indigenous Australia
Knowledge handed down since the dawn of time
We can learn the stories of the Southern Sky

Take us on a journey with open eyes
Connect us to the dreaming of stars
Reveal the ancient wonders of the night
We can learn the stories of the Southern Sky

Listen to the song and feel the dance
Lessons taught this way from elder’s hands
The patterns of the skies above connect us to this land
We can learn the stories of the Southern Sky

Teach us how to read the Milky Way
Skills we must respect and keep alive
Give us the direction in our lives
We can learn the stories of the Southern Sky

The changing of the seasons and for telling us the time
Predicting weather patterns and faithful navigation
Leading us to food in harmony with nature
Keeping us in touch with the stories of creation

By learning the ways of Aboriginal Australia
Place relevance and meaning to the Southern Sky
We live together under Southern Sky
We have learned the stories of the Southern Sky          

© Paul Jarman 2007