A Song for Peace, A Wish for Healing
When Music and Friendship Transcend Borders and Hardships
A Friend’s Sudden Silence
Life is fragile. In the past two months, I’ve been writing songs with Robin Lawley, a British man based in Italy. We had a zoom call scheduled for Wednesday, two days ago. Most unlike him, he didn’t attend nor respond to my WhatsApp messages or emails. I was concerned.
I had visions of him lying unconscious on the floor of his residence. Or wondered if he had been abducted or robbed. But I’d no contact details for his family or neighbours. I didn’t even know his address.
A Mysterious Absence
Usually, he read and responded to my messages or emails promptly. I racked my brain for any reason I could think of for why he wouldn’t want to talk to me. I couldn’t think of any. Last time we spoke, we were the best of friends, as he reminisced about his younger years and how he had lived his life to the full.
If his phone had been stolen or mislaid, he could have replied using his desktop.
Moreover, we had written two songs together for the Talent is Timeless song contest. We had yet to submit the second song and the deadline is this coming Monday. He had been keen that we meet two days ago to ensure we submitted it on time.
The News I Feared
Yesterday morning, 28 hours after his mysterious silence, I received a reply from him. As I feared, he had had a significant health event. He was in intensive care. Luckily, he was taken to hospital and my concern that he might be lying on a floor somewhere, alone, hadn’t materialized.
Robin’s Musical Journey
Robin was a child prodigy as a singer and enjoyed a classical music education excelling in piano and organ. He took up the guitar when he discovered Bob Dylan and he has been songwriting since the 1970s. I met him at a Talent is Timeless online event in February and we became friends. He is a leading figure in the International Breathwork Foundation and he was proud of this video which he made for a forthcoming event.
A video made by Robin Lawley for the forthcoming International Breathwork Foundation event “World Breathing Day 2025 Ten Breath Challenge”
Our Shared Vision
Although we only met recently, we’ve already written and produced two songs. The first calls on the listener to follow the example of a playful dog and live in the moment, singing, dad dancing and having fun.
But we have much higher ambitions for our second song, as I shall explain.
From the Mountains to the Sea
Robin gifted me a magnificent, untitled score. I sat with it, listening; and the theme and lyrics came to me.
The phrase “From the Mountains to the Sea” has, at times, been seen as controversial in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, despite its use in both traditions with positive intent.
A Dream of Peace
In our song, it is a vision of peace and reconciliation—an image of unity and brotherhood between divided peoples. As a hymn of peace, the song offers a universal message: a world without war.
Our hope is to see it recorded by a choir and orchestra—ideally, with Palestinian and Israeli singers and musicians joining together in harmony.
Yes, it is a vision song, in the spirit of John Lennon’s “Imagine”—a picture of what could one day come true. Many nations who fought wars against each other have found a path to forgiveness, reconciliation, and cooperation, working together toward a better world.
Peace can begin with a song.
Three Hopes for the Future
I have three dreams.
One, I want Robin Lawley to get better.
Two, I want to see this song performed by an Arab-Israeli choir with an Arab-Israeli orchestra. If you can help make that happen, please contact me. Or just go do it.
Three, I shall search for glimmers of peace even in times of war. And I shall dare to dream of a peaceful, mutually-satisfactory, respectful resolution of every war, not least the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
I envisage this song as an anthem for peace anywhere and everywhere, but especially in the Middle East. Wars and enmities do end. Enemies can and do become friends. Nations that fought each other in the past, can and do work together in the present in peace and harmony.
It Begins with a Song
It begins with imagining it, expressing it, singing it. Then working to make it happen.
Demo Track
Here’s the demo, admittedly not sung by either a choir or orchestra (yet!), but proudly sung by Robin Lawley, with backing vocals, other instruments and production by Matteo Lendotti.
Instrumental-only version
Here’s a piano-only instrumental version, with a slightly different outro.
Lyrics
The lyrics are below.
From the Mountains to the Sea by Robin Lawley & Joe Armstrong Intro (instrumental) Chorus When peace breaks out From the mountains to the sea When discovery of new Brotherly love Invades and takes hold of me. When that day comes From the mountains to the sea We will love one another Though we once were The worst of all enemies. Bridge Dare to believe It can come true I’m not a dreamer Hope you can see it too. All hate will pass away Love will reign supreme Ploughshares from swords we’ll make Our hearts will rest serene. Instrumental Chorus When peace breaks out From the mountains to the sea When discovery of new Brotherly love Invades and takes hold of me. When that day comes From the mountains to the sea We will love one another Though we once were The worst of all enemies. Bridge What can I do What step can I take Could I plant love Where there is so much hate? Darkness and light, I see, Both lie within When I forgive my enemy Love can come in. Outro Imagine forgiveness we’ve waited so long Imagine a world of brotherly love Imagine a world united in song Imagine a world where war is no more.
Happy days and, Robin, get well soon!
Joe
Joe’s acclaimed first memoir In My Gut, I Don’t Believe is available on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, Hardback and Audible editions. His second memoir Saved by a Woman is available on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, and Hardback editions.
