A Child Like Me

A Child Like Me was commissioned by Sceggs Darlinghurst in 2015 to honour the 120th Anniversary. The music department led by Dr Felicia Chadwick commissioned no less than 10 new pieces, working with some of Australia’s most respected composers, while also engaging emerging composers.

Paul was commissioned to compose for the junior singers and was delighted to collaborate with his partner Bonnie Nilsson for this piece. Bonnie dreamed up the idea of looking at the way being a child has changed over the decades.

In this busy world where we are putting more pressure on our children and ourselves to ‘succeed’, we often forget how special the smaller moments are, and we also can forget to allow our children the time to just be themselves. Bonnie imagined the all-encompassing question, “If I could be anything what would I be?” What does this mean in today’s world where the jobs we are doing now may no longer be around for our children to experience as well? The butcher, the baker the candlestick maker…

Our children love to bake, but it takes time and experimentation. Remember, piano practice, homework, violin, swimming lessons, feeding the animals, chores, and that’s all before breakfast! This piece celebrates our beautiful children and the people that are important in their lives. The simple act of baking allows a child time to be messy, time to create and time to think about those that they love without worrying too much about that ‘big’ question. They simply get to enjoy being “A child like me”.

Themes

Sing a message Sing for an eisteddfod Sing from the heart
Duration 3:30
Key Eb
Range Bb for altos up to Eb for Sops
More info Suited to junior choir ages 8 - 12. Also available with strings.
Price AU$3.00 per copy

Lyrics

A   C H I L D   L I K E   M E                       
                           
By Bonnie Nilsson & Paul Jarman

If I could be anything, what would I be, I wonder? 
If I could make the perfect me 
What would be in my recipe, I wonder?

First I’d take a giant mixing bowl 
That belonged to my grandmother too
And I’d have start with a big cup of love
For I know she would have too

Next I’d pour in some sweetness, fold in some laughter
Sift in some helpfulness too
I’d throw in some courage, a dash of adventure
For that’s what dad would do too

If I could be anything, what would I be?
A butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker
My how the times they have changed

So just for now, just for now
I’d like to be a child like me

I still need some kindness, gentleness too
I’d mix it on high like my mother would do
What about cheeky, what about sporty
And crafty and funny with a teardrop or two

So just for now, just for now
I’d like to be a child like me

As I look in the oven door I see it rise
It’s springy and bouncy, and to my surprise
It’s a child like me

© Nilsson/Jarman 2015