Scroll down to see FULL LYRICS & CD/MUSIC Information.
NOTES on SIGNS OF HOPE:
Dom Hélder Câmara (1909 –1999) was a Brazilian Catholic Archbishop. He was the Archbishop of Olinda and Recife, serving from 1964 to 1985, during the military regime of the country. Câmara was an advocate of liberation theology. He did social and political work for the poor and for human rights and democracy during the military regime. Câmara preached for a church closer to the disfavoured people and for non-violence. He is quoted as having said, "When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist." (Wikipedia)
Dom Hélder spoke at the Sydney Opera House in 1985 and for that evening I was asked to provide some music with my group 'Crossover'. The song 'Signs of Hope, based on his writings' was written especially for that occasion.
The following year, it became the title song for a new album 'Signs of Hope'.
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lyrics
SIGNS OF HOPE
The Earth provides enough for everybody’s need
But not enough for everybody’s greed.
Some big, some small – big ones take it all.
The First World has the broad and easy way.
Some rich, some poor in the Third World War
And the little ones are dying now and every day.
But there’s sign of hope – clear signs of hope:
Poor has joined with poor, weak has joined with weak
Overcoming doubt, daring now to speak.
Opening their eyes, softening their hearts,
Toughening their minds… shoulders to the wheel.
Shoulders to the wheel. There are signs of hope.
You people who like Abraham have come away
And hear the call of justice in your heart –
It’s hard, I know, on this long rough road
To keep alive the promise of the start.
Through high and low, there’s a long way to go…
When you walk for peace and justice it’s a desert way.
But there’s sign of hope – clear signs of hope:
Small has joined with small, keeping wide awake.
Gentle as the dove, cunning as the snake.
Candles in the night heralding the day.
The Kingdom can be found – the small ones know the way.
The small ones are the way. There are signs of hope.
Go down into the plans of God, deep as you may
And through the night go searching for the day.
Who’s wrong, who’s right in this long dark night?
The winner’s right, we hear the winners say.
But walk on, don’t fear, know that I am here.
Like a mother I will shelter you along the way.
And there’s sign of hope – clear signs of hope:
People round the world standing with the poor
Seeing through their eyes, working with not for.
Earth she writhes in pain, new life in her womb
The promise still holds good – barren lands will bloom.
Candles in the night heralding the day
The Kingdom surely comes – the poor ones show the way.
The poor ones are the way.
Signs of God, signs of hope in a hopeless time -
There are signs of hope.
Music and lyrics by Peter Kearney
Based on the writings of Dom Hélder Câmara
credits
released August 20, 2020
SUBSCRIBE TO PETER'S SONG-POSTS
via simple form on the homepage of his website: peterkearneysongs.com.au/home
RELATED RESOURCES for 'SIGNS OF HOPE', available through Peter Kearney's Online Store. Links below:
1. CD-AUDIO: All ten songs from 'Signs of Hope' are included on Peter's double-CD compilation 'Make Me a Song' (The Best of 25 Years). Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356147
2. CD-ROM: Music, lyrics, chords for 34 of the 36 songs in the 'Make Me a Song' double-cd are available peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/554037
3. PDF Music for the song 'Signs of Hope': peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/615575
THE RECORDING
Recorded 1986 in the Restless Studio, Balmain. The song was one of ten tracks on the 'Signs of Hope' album by Peter Kearney + Crossover.
VOICES: Lead vocal - Peter Kearney. Chorus vocals - Linda Berry, Penny Davies, Louise Gore, Roger Ilott, Claire Parkhill
INSTRUMENTS: Peter Kearney (guitar), Roger Ilott (guitar), Ross Grierson (bass), Linda Berry (flute)
Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter and singer. His early folk-hymns 'Fill My House' & 'The Beatitudes' are
internationally known. He has written many other songs of justice and peace, songs for children, and a musical-narrative on St. Francis of Assisi. His published recordings include 153 original songs.
LINKS BELOW are for Peter's:
- Website
- Online store
- Facebook Artist Page....more
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