The World Was All Before Them (2023)

The World Was All Before Them, commissioned by Jubilee Primary School and premiered in 2004 for Head Teacher Jacqueline Bruton-Simmonds, aimed was to create an artistic celebration of the richness and contribution derived from the arrival of new peoples in the school’s local area’ by telling the stories of how the students parents came to Hackney. Everyone interviewed had one thing in common; wherever they had come from, wherever they had left, willingly, unwillingly, they thought upon that place with deep nostalgic fondness and regret, with love.

This 2023 performance marked the third time that I Can Sing! has performed The World Was All Before Them, and we’re delighted that it continues to be a favourite with the groups, not just because of its witty lyrics, moving stories and delightful music, but also because it gives rise to fascinating discussions about identity, travel, refugees and belonging. The issues it explores are ever relevant and resonate with all of us.

“quote”

- I Can Sing! Student

Scenic landscape featuring mountains, a large body of water, and grassy rolling hills in the foreground.
A scenic landscape with snow-capped mountains in the background, grassy hills in the foreground, and some modern buildings on a hill.
Modern building with wooden exterior set against mountainous landscape with rocky peaks in the background.
Modern house with wooden exterior, stone steps and patio, surrounded by grassy landscape and mountains in the background during sunset.
A landscape with rolling green hills, a wooden building in the foreground, and snow-capped mountains in the background.
Modern wooden house with irregular roofline in a field of tall golden grass, mountains in the background, and a cloudy sky.
Modern wooden house with large window, set in a grassy landscape with trees, overlooking a lake and distant mountains under an overcast sky.