Commonwealth Music Academy
A New Term Starts
The mission of The Commonwealth Music Academy is:
“Inspire to Aspire”.
500 excited children were so pleased to be singing together
again and taking part in the rehearsals for the performances and
recordings of the Commonwealth Children’s Choir.
The inspirational song “Jack – A Local Hero” is dedicated to
HRH Prince Philip, Lord High Admiral.
It was composed by Paul Carroll with words by Dr Grahame Davies.
A recording of the song was presented by Paul Carroll
to HRH Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace in 2017.
“Jack – A Local Hero” tells the story of Jack Cornwell VC,
a 16-year boy from the East End of
London, who joined the Navy and died at sea in The Battle of Jutland
in 1916. On 16th November 1916, Jack's mother made the long journey
from East London where she lived to Buckingham Palace,
where King George V presented her with her young son's
posthumously awarded Victoria Cross.
“Jack – A Local Hero” words by Dr Grahame Davies
He took the road to seaward
before the break of day.
He left upon the morning tide
when mist was on the bay.
The clouds that hide the heavens
hid his path away.
And with each dawn my heart breaks
for the words we could not say.
They cut the words of comfort
in slate and stone and steel.
They stand through every season
for faith I cannot feel,
for love that soothes no longing,
for hope that does not heal,
and with each night the sorrow
the dark cannot conceal.
I will travel by the road he took
although I travel late,
although they will not carve my name
on steel or stone or slate.
For loving has no limits;
devotion has no date.
I take my way to tell him
the words that had to wait.
