The Will to Climb

The Will to Climb was commissioned by Gondwana Voices in 2003. It featured as the finale song in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony, orchestrated by Christopher Gordon, performed by the Sydney Symphony and sung by a choir made up of two singers from each of the teams represented, broadcast to over a billion people. It also featured as the finale to the ABC Classics album, ‘Youthe_will_to_climb_by_richard_harris_1742981348ng Australians, Voices of Achievement’ in 2006.

The piece was written for Christopher Harris who aimed to become the youngest mountaineer to climb the seven summits. His challenges began at an early age, climbing Mount Kosciusko at the age of 7, camping overnight in a man made snow cave. In 2002, age twelve, Christopher climbed New Zealand’s Mt Cook and gained instant international recognition for becoming the youngest climber to summit. His fitness continued to improve, and in 2003, he climbed Africa’s highest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro, earning him another world record and legendary status among local Kenyan guides. A year later at the age 14 Christopher became the youngest mountaineer to summit both Mt Elburus and Mt Aconcagua, the highest peaks in South America and Europe.

In 2004, Christopher was honoured the ‘Young Australian Adventurer of the Year’ by Dick Smith and Australian Geographic. Christopher attempted the summit of Mt Everest at age 15. After suffering repeated attacks where he could not take in oxygen, Christopher was forced to leave the mountain after achieving the highest ever point by a boy his age.

This short clip is from the opening ceremony of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, featuring the World in Union Choir, Paul’s drummers and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. 

This sample recording is from the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup

Themes

Sing a choir favourite Sing a Finale Sing a global story Sing a Jarman classic Sing a message Sing an Australian story Sing the adventure
Duration 4:00
Key Ab Major
Range Standard SSA, SATB with optional high Ab for SOPS
More info Also available with symphony orchestra. Contact Paul for parts and scores
Price AU$3.00 per copy

Lyrics

T H E   W I L L   T O   C L I M B                        
                           	   
By Paul Jarman
              
Higher, higher
Breathe in, breathe out

I have this adventure in me
The will to climb
I walk into the pages of history
My journey has just begun

Reach up, look out
There’s a world around me
Stand up, speak out
Far horizons reach me

By endurance I’ll shine
My heroes will guide me
I will conquer my fears
The dawn is at hand

I have the will to climb
All the mountains are calling
I’ll rise to my dreams
With courage at hand

Reach up, look out
There’s a world around me
Stand up, speak out
Far horizons reach me

I have the will to climb
And my journey has begun

© Paul Jarman 2003