The Impossible Dream...Fill the World with Love.
Note, Oct 27, 2012: This post, originally posted six years ago, has been revisited as two things weighed on me the past few days: remembrance of author Miguel de Cervantes who is famous for his novel Don Quixote de la Mancha (the song "Impossible Dream" is inspired from) and life major challenges in recent months.
(My original post was written, May 25, 2006, with revisions here.)
While trying to rest my mind from the cares of the past three months, in particular, a favourite movie suddenly came to mind: the haunting Goodbye, Mr Chips. The lyrics of the theme song is equally enthralling. Such beautiful, endearing song with the movie poignantly acted by brilliant British actor Peter O'Toole as the passionately committed and dedicated teacher, Mr. Chips.
Fill the World with LOVE
from Goodbye Mr. Chips
Music & Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.
Artist - Petula Clark
Album - Goodbye Mr. Chips
Lyrics - Fill The World With Love
In the morning of my life I shall look to the sunrise.
At a moment in my life when the world is new.
And the blessing I shall ask is that God will grant me,
To be brave and strong and true,
And to fill the world with love my whole life through.
(Chorus)
And to fill the world with love
And to fill the world with love
And to fill the world with love my whole life through.
In the noontime of my life I shall look to the sunshine,
At a moment in my life when the sky is blue.
And the blessing I shall ask shall remain unchanging.
To be brave and strong and true,
And to fill the world with love my whole life through.
(Chorus)
In the evening of my life I shall look to the sunset,
At a moment in my life when the night is due.
And the question I shall ask only I can answer.
Was I brave and strong and true?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
(Chorus)
*
Fill the World with Love, Performed by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Source Credit from YouTube:
Fill the World with Love, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Latest access, Oct 6, 2012.
I remember seeing this movie years ago and was very taken by this song as sung by the boys in the school.
ReplyDeleteThe love of my life died on September 3, 2006 of cancer and I am left alone to put together her writings and scrapbook. This song could have served as the foundation of her life and it will be used to mark of the sections of the work which will be her legacy.
She died as she lived calm and beautiful!
Hi Bruce, I'm deeply touched reading a most significant part of your life. Thanks for sharing. May you be sustained by your beautiful thoughts of her and the wonderful moments you shared... My best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me so poignantly of my son Luke who left RSA and now lives in the UK..he is only 20! He used to walk about our home and sing this loudly and with gusto....pray that he always remembers this through his life journey! Always moves me to tears....
ReplyDeleteI was searching the web for the words to this song and I came across your entry.
ReplyDeleteYes this movie remains one of my own all time favorites.
Nice words- but the older I get the more I realize that the only thing that is really important is to delight in God and enjoy him forever.
And the bravery and the strength and the fidelity and the love will flow out of this delight.
That is the law of first things.
God Bless You
Hi Jacqui, God bless you and your son. I hope he's doing very well. Immediately, comes to my mind Romans 8: 28-39. Prayers, for you and him.
ReplyDeleteHi Clive, Thanks. You've said the last words and I couldn't agree more - "to take delight and enjoy Him forever." Btw, after visiting you're site, I notice your affinity to 'Big Blue." I might pick it up from there. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have viewed "Goodbye Mr Chips" at least seven times since I first found it. I absolutely love the theme song, the words and the music are so indescribable, and they do touch ones heart. I'am 64 years old and I guess without knowing it I have been leaving my life that way, so in all the seasons of my life I have been content ,and giving, and happy, in spite of ungratefulness and other evils around me. I had to force my husband and my 30 years old son to watch it just last week and they have been singing the song at the top of their lungs since then. Thank you for your web that gave me the words to the song, since I been missing some of them because of the British accent.
ReplyDelete"To be brave and strong and true,
And to fill the world with love my whole life through".
I would also like to know where to find the music so I can play it on the piano. If any one out there has it please share?
Thanks again and God bless you.
Sorry, I meant living not leaving, I don't intend to go for at least 30 more years, unless God wills it otherwise.
ReplyDeleteHello Zita,
ReplyDeleteI'm touched by your post. Both the movie and the theme song (especially the lyrics) of "Goodbye Mr Chips" are both so touching and heartwarming."
There are three place you can try to visit and they might have the music sheet:
1. eBay - seatch for "piano sheet for Goodbye Mr. Chips"
2. Piano Files - www.pianofiles.com
3. www.musicroom.co.uk - they might also have it.
God bless you and yours. The meaningful words of the song say it all.
Tel
We used to sing this song during music class at school. I've never seen all of Goodbye Mr Chips and had no idea it was sung there. I'll have to get the movie soon.
ReplyDeleteA South African group, Bongo maffin, did a version of the song.
The whole congregation of the Hermanus United Church sang this song this morning at the closing of the service-a very moving service as it marked the return to the pulpit of our much-loved and respected minister after months of being in the depths of despair. We celebrated his recovery with this inspiring song.
ReplyDeleteHi Angela, How very touching. All the best to you, your returnee-minister and your congregation. God bless!
ReplyDeleteI love the song "In the evening of my life...." I have never forgotten it since seeing the movie when it was first released. Now that I am 73, its truth haunts me every day, and I often find myself humming the tune and asking myself why I didn't love more.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your website.
Dear Ben,
ReplyDeleteI'm touched by your thoughts, thank you for sharing.
Yes, we will all have the evenings of our lives, matater of time. I love the song and the movie too.
All the very best and God bless,
Tel
How wonderful of you to do this in her memory. I am now 47 and remember this song from the movie I saw as a little child - it had come back to me from time to time, and I have found myself singing the few words I remembered, so today I thought - let me get them all! This is a song I would like my family and friends to sing with gusto one day at my funeral. My life has been a real blessing since I started to walk with the Lord 24/7.
ReplyDeleteDear Liz, yes, "Good-bye Mr. Chips" is an endearing song. The movie is just as uplifitng.
ReplyDeleteMy warm thoughts and God bless.
I have been trying to find this very special hymn for more than 30 years. Where can I buy the actual choir version and where can I buy the film version...without having to buy the rest of the music. Thank you so much...PS I am in the evening of my life...
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. King,
ReplyDeleteI've taken my response offline.
God bless.
Tel
This is a wonderful song, but I have to confess to loving the original film (Robert Donat and Greer Garson the most. Cannot see it without crying buckets.
ReplyDeleteHi Lizzie, I need to find a DVD of the Donat-Garson version. This morning, I spotted a Donat-Garson excerpt on YouTube. Will revisit. Thanks!
ReplyDelete