Het lied van de Stadt = Song of the City, 1967 - 1976

Needing little explanation, this is a hymn to the daily toil, dreams and aspirations of people living together in an urban community. Like the Jerusalem of Psalm 122, this aspires to be a city of peace, in which all may equally enjoy the fruits of the earth and where no one claims dominion over the other. This vision is clearly expressed in Psalms 72 and 85. The basis of all social fabric is rooted in extended family, based on a mutual care and common concern for the well-being of each other. Nuclear family, the nourishing experience of our childhood, tends to foster an isolatioisam which breeds a 'me first' culture.

But like the nuclear family, the city needs to be safe haven for children, a home where laughter abounds, a place where people seek one another to put down roots together. Such a place should see no alienation between work and home, where labour is a creative and crucial source of pride for everyone. With such common ownership, wealth will be generated and resources produced to satisfy the increasing needs of everybody.

The danger against isolationism is the rejection of everything not seen as indigenous. This applies not only to extraneous cultures from outside the four walls, but immigrant peoples themselves. Yet it is this influx of immigrants which challenges myopia, and fosters the growth of the human family.--Tony Barr