Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.
by William Ernest Henley (1849-1903)
Background:
At the age of 12, Henley became a victim of tuberculosis of the bone. A few years later the disease progressed to his foot, and physicians announced that the only way to save his life was to amputate directly below the knee. In 1867 he successfully passed the Oxford local examination as a senior student. In 1875 he wrote the “Invictus” poem from a hospital bed. Despite his disability, he survived with one foot intact and led an active life until the age of 53.
As I have begun to do a lot of research in relation to my global search for a producer and an audience for my musical The Cross & The Switchblade, I have become more aware of what a privilege it is for me to stand at the feet of those who I would call 20th and 21st Century Giants of the Faith.
I have to be completely honest, when I was first inspired to write the musical, I was not fully aware of the impact that David Wilkerson, Nicky Cruz and John & Elizabeth Sherrill (the co-authors of the book upon which the musical is based) had already had, and continue to have on the generations. They have, and continue to impact tens of, if not hundreds of, millions of people with their message of hope – in person, or through their written, audio and video presentations.
And here I am, a guy from Australia (the land of Up Over) who has been granted an incredible opportunity to carry on that rich legacy through word and music to yet another generation.
Yesterday was the first day that I sent out emails to a select group of producers and others to get the ball rolling. There is much to do.
In the morning I worked with my web designer to do some further final touches on the website, but then had to leave at midday to pick up a one-ton ute.
My wife wants some chickens, so first stop was to a place that provided me with some building materials that I’ll turn into a chicken coop. And then some friends of ours offered us the wood from a few large trees they were having felled to make way for a new home. So with the assistance of my son we transported over four tonne of wood to our home, that will keep our open fire going for some years to come. So all in all that took us five hours of hard labour – just in time for me to drop the ute back, and then drive to pick up my daughter from work in time for her next appointment. She gets her license in a couple of weeks – so no more taxiing for me.
Oh and on the way she remembered that she had left a parcel outside her hair salon -where she works – in plain view of any thief who walked by. But it was too late to turn back. So I continued on, praying that the parcel would be left alone, and on finally returning, over half an hour later – there was the parcel – untouched.
Receive a copy of Peter's free ebook 'Dust Off Your Dream' (35 pages of pure inspiration) by subscribing to his blog MyBlackPiano, which will follow his musical's journey - 'The Cross & The Switchblade' to Broadway and beyond while also guiding you in the pursuit of your dreams.
