Somewhere

There’s a place for us
Somewhere a place for us
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us somewhere.

The song ‘Somewhere’ comes from ‘West Side Story’, the 1957 stage show and 1961 film. Written as a modern take on ‘Romero and Juliet, it tells the story of Tony and Maria who come from opposing New York gangs.

In a ‘rumble’ Tony stabs Maria’s brother, Bernardo, and runs to an angry Maria. They know that the gang warfare will continue, but they sing this song of hope. Their love will survive somewhere…

There’s a time for us
Some day a time for us
Time together with time to spare
Time to learn, time to care
Some day, somewhere

Theirs was an angry, bitter world of prejudice, confrontation and aggression; They dreamt of a place of peace and safety in a new and better world, a place of love and trust where vulnerabilities could be recognised and accepted.

We’ll find a new way of living
We’ll find a way of forgiving
Somewhere

60 years later we still have a world of anger, bitterness and aggression; with Covid-19 said to be with us for an indeterminate further period of time we still need a place of love, security and hope that sustains and transforms….

I’m musing this morning on: ‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’  (Hebrews 11:1) Christian faith and hope come together in a place of security in an uncertain future.

Maria sings the first few lines of the song again as Tony dies in her arms. It is a hope that even death can’t destroy.

There’s a place for us
A time and place for us
Hold my hand and we’re halfway there
Hold my hand and I’ll take you there
Somehow, some day
Somewhere.