From the recording The Friday Songs

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SMALL WORLD ANTHEM

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THE FINAL FRIDAY SONG: SMALL WORLD ANTHEM



It was our plan some weeks ago to carefully construct a big roaring finale to our Friday Song series, but when it came down to it, this song was written, recorded and produced in less than a day in much the same way as all the others in the series. What is all the more satisfying from our point of view is the fact that, without blowing our own trumpet, we think our last Friday Song sounds rather as if we have indeed planned and fine-tuned it for weeks rather than thrown it together in less than 24 hours!

This song sums up much of what we feel about life and how we as a planet are missing the point a little in our race to be "better, bigger and faster than the rest".


We were truly inspired by the "Mandala Stage", where we played at Glastonbury Festival in 2011, which puts on an amazing show powered by a tandem bike which members of the audience have to pedal to keep the music going. Next door to this is the "Small World" stage, entirely solar-powered, which aims to prove to younger people that it is possible to be part of an amazing celebration - the party to end all parties - without damaging the planet.

And they go one stage (excuse the pun) further: they want people to leave feeling like they could live a sustainable life permanently, not just during three beautiful summer days.

The vision that the Small World people have echoes so strongly with our own feelings about the future, and the way society leads us all to live in a way that draws us so far away from the way nature intended us to exist that we miss out on so much that's important: essentially, looking after each other and ourselves (with thanks to Jerry Springer).

In so many corners of this world, the power has fallen into the wrong hands, and the Small World vision is of bringing the power back to the people, allowing us to control our own destinies, and to once again fuel ourselves through nature in both a metaphorical and a literal sense.

OK, OK, don't worry...the Portraits are not about to abandon our homes and become beach-dwelling cave people. But we are very much hoping to work with the Small World people in 2013, so we hope they like the anthem we've written for their cause, which we share.

Meanwhile, we want to thank absolutely everyone who has contributed ideas and support to us while we've been writing and releasing a brand new song each and every week in 2012. In all honesty, there were at least two moments where we were 4/5ths of the way towards throwing in the towel. But each time one of you lovely people out there has come to our rescue by telling us how inspired you've been by something we've written. And this has spurred us on to keep going.

Now, at the end, we cannot tell you how pleased we are that we didn't give up, and from the 52 songs, we've hand-picked around 20 that may well go towards the recording of a new album over the next 12 months. If you've got any personal favourites, please tell us - all 52 songs are on our Facebook video page.



In 2013, we hope to continue putting out new material on a regular basis, this time based on things that are happening in the media and the news. But probably not every single Friday ;-)

Wishing you all a superb 2013 and hope we see you at a concert soon.

Jeremy, Lorraine and the Portraits x
www.theportraitsmusic.com

Lyrics

SMALL WORLD ANTHEM LYRICS

Take back the power
That fell into the wrong hands
Cradle it closely, and run
Take back the power
Give it back to the sun
And life can begin again

In my eyes I've a vision
But it's blurred with bitter tears
From the speed and collision
Of our petty man-made fears

An endless celebration
Of the world we've all passed by
With a new communication
To end the murder of the skies

Take back the power
That fell into the wrong hands
Cradle it closely, and run
Take back the power
Give it back to the sun
And life can begin again

When we're through with being
Better, bigger, faster than the rest
Chase the girl until you get her
Sweat and toil to have the best

We all share living, loving, growing
And precious time's decay
This party can keep going
Beyond this summer's day

Small is beautiful
Don't drown the tones of nature
With the thunder of fear

Take back the power
That fell into the wrong hands
Cradle it closely, and run
Take back the power
Give it back to the sun
And life can begin again

Take back the power
Take back the power

Take back the power
That fell into the wrong hands
Cradle it closely, and run
Take back the power
Give it back to the sun
And life can begin again

And life can begin again
Life can begin again
Life can begin again