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LYRICS BELOW + Resource Information.
'The Song Behind the Songs' is one of three songs I wrote for the 'Turning Point' Conference in Adelaide, South Australia. The conference was organised for the centenary of Rerum Novarum, an encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891.
Rerum Novarum discussed the relationships and mutual duties between labour and capital, as well as government and its citizens. Of primary concern was the need for amelioration of "the misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working class." Rerum Novarum is considered a foundational text of modern Catholic social teaching. (Statement from online sources).
In Verse 3 Victor Jara is referenced . Victor (surname pronounced Hara) was a Chilean political activist, folk-singer and songwriter, whose passionate songs focused on love, peace, and social justice. He was arrested tortured and killed during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.
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lyrics
[NB. For the last word of each verse and chorus I now sing 'songs' - not 'song'].
THE SONG BEHIND THE SONGS
Can you hear the song I’m singing?
It’s the song behind the songs.
I learned it from a fiery mother, a patient man
From the chorus of the ages
A struggle linking hearts and hands
I learned the song, the endless song
Behind the songs.
A song that’s sung in every weather
One that casts out every fear
A song that brings the taste of freedom, the taste of tears
A song that gathers like a river till it surges to the sea
Hear the song, the endless song
Behind the songs.
CHORUS: Songs sing out the yearning of our race
The river song, the endless song behind the songs.
Many are the faithful singers
Varied are the voices raised
Singing out their songs of justice and hymns of praise
In the poor streets of Soweto, even laden down with chains
They sing the song the endless song
Behind the songs.
CHORUS: Songs sing out the yearning of our race
The freedom song, the endless song behind the songs.
Can you hear the voices singing
Hear the song behind the songs
Caught between the clapstick rhythms it echoes on
In the tunes of Victor Jara, in the dream of yet to be
Hear the song, the endless song behind the songs.
CHORUS: Songs sing out the yearning of our race
The planet song, the endless song behind the songs.
Songs sing out the yearning of the human race
The future song, the endless song behind the songs.
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credits
released September 10, 2021
RELATED RESOURCES for 'The Song Behind the Songs' with links to Peter's online store. Payments can be made securely by Credit Card or PayPal.
1. CD-AUDIO: The cd for the whole album 'The Common Good’ ('The Song Behind the Songs' + 11 other songs). Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356148
2. CD-ROM: The 'music book' for the whole album 'The Common Good' it is available as a cd-rom containing pdf scans of the original book (now out of print) + cover. Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/554039
3. PDF SHEET MUSIC for the song 'The Song Behind the Songs'. Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/716255
RECORDED at Abergeldie Studio, Mittagong
Sound engineer - KENNY MILLER.
Arranged and produced by PETER KEARNEY and KENNY MILLER.
CHOIR: Chris Anstiss, Helen Archer, Bob Bickle, Anne Donaldson, Chris Donaldson, Madge Kearney, Paul Kearney, John Markota, Christine Tilley, Heather Tromp
LEAD VOCAL: Peter Kearney.
MUSICIANS:
PETER ACLAND: electric lead guitar
PETER KEARNEY: guitar
KENNY MILLER: synthesiser
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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