The Place to Be- the meaning behind the lyrics

The whole idea behind the Environment the Musical project is to reach the wider public with important messages about how we all can help care for our environment.

This is achieved through music and drama.  School children learn through preparing for their performance.  The young performers then entertain their audience (family, friends and the wider school community), hopefully sending them on their merry way with much food for thought.

The Place to Be is the opening song of Environment the Musical.  What are the messages in The Place to Be?

Behind the Lyrics

The opening verse paints a picture of a beautiful country inhabited by a warm and friendly people who all believe that Ireland is the best little country in the world- The Place to Be.

 

Ireland is a lovely little country. I agree

From Mizen Head to Malin Head

And in between.

With lakes and beautiful beaches,

Hills and rivers too.

Nice and friendly people

It’s the place for me and you.

Take it from me.

It’s plain to see.

We all agree.

This is the place to be.

Verse two shatters the illusion somewhat by raising some problems with how we treat our surroundings. We don’t always treat the environment with the respect it deserves.

It highlights the issue of how many of us are oblivious to the effects of litter and fly tipping on our beautiful landscape.  We are so blind to this problem that we can’t understand how tourists can find Ireland dirty:

People come on holiday

They love our little land.

Some of them say it’s dirty,

But I don’t understand.

The tourism industry is vitally important to the Irish economy, especially in rural areas where there is much less industry and fewer jobs.

Alongside helping to protect our economy, it is also imperative that we all become more actively involved in protecting our natural resources and biodiversity.  We have to work harder at keeping Ireland a safe and healthy place to be.

In an effort to reinforce the importance of appreciating just what we stand to lose by not caring for our environment, The Place to Be ends on the positive note that Ireland truly is the place to be!

Ireland. * Ireland. * Ireland

The place for me.

And me – And me – And me – And me.

We all agree.

Ireland is the place to be.

Take it from me. It’s plain to see.

We all agree.

This is the place to be.

For a little taster of all 8 songs from Environment the Musical follow the link below:

https://soundcloud.com/annette-mc-nelis

To find out more about the Environment the Musical educational resource for schools go to: https://www.annettemcnelis.ie/

Note:  The Place to Be is specific to Ireland.  Check here for alternative lyrics for outside of Ireland: https://www.annettemcnelis.ie/resources/songs/place-alternative-lyrics