INTERTWINED: THE PATH OF PEACE

The Sydney Youth Orchestra with the Cowra Vocal Ensemble performing the World Premiere of Nicholas Gentile's 'World Peace Suite' which I wrote the lyrics for

A few years ago, I was invited to contribute to a beautiful new work that had been commissioned by Cowra Civic Centre for an artist's residency. It was a symphony called The World Peace Suite and was composed by Nicholas Gentile. It was a special project to be a part of for a few reasons for me. One being that it was Covid and the whole world was struggling. The other being that I was incredibly sick. At that time, I was in and out of a wheelchair due to chronic pain and at the time undiagnosed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). I was no longer able to do much and so being able to contribute to the World Peace Suite with lyrics meant I could still do something creatively. It gave me a real sense of purpose during a time in which my body and my mind were both struggling to come to terms with my 'new normal'.

Recently, The World Peace Suite was performed in Cowra by the incredible Sydney Youth Orchestra. It was an honour to be present to hear some of my lyrics sung aloud by the talented Cowra Vocal Ensemble (conducted by Maree Mackay) while the Cowra Peace Bell rang out in the streets of Cowra. Hearing the lyrics made me once again think about how Cowra's commitment to peace has been a big theme in my creativity over the past few years. It is the theme of my children's picture book 'Jack's Visit to Cowra', it is the theme of my upcoming novella 'Rusty Jones and the Breakout' and it is the overarching theme of my play Intertwined. For anyone looking for my complete lyrics to Nicholas Gentile's Path of Peace in the World Peace Suite, here they are:

Silence over red stained soil,

where once was bloodshed and turmoil,

tumultous trouble, pain and ache,

gives way to paths that peace can make.

Oh to live a path of peace

ending strife and ending sorrow

Oh to live a path of peace

choosing love and harmony.

Rising on the wings of the dawn,

we turn our hearts from those who mourn

to those who see the beauty

in forgiving and reconciling.

Oh to live a path of peace

ending strife and ending sorrow

Oh to live a path of peace

choosing love and harmony.

Standing together as one race

regardless of our town or place

we write a new story in which we partake

lest we repeat history's mistakes.

Forget not from where we have come

side by side we stand as one,

choosing ways for battles to cease

Oh to live a path of peace!

Oh to live a path of peace

ending strife and ending sorrow

Oh to live a path of peace

choosing love and harmony.

Intertwined seeks to display this on the stage: remembering where we have come from and learning from the past while standing as one. This is my hope and my humble offering to help see the legacy of peace continue on. More soon, Lusi x