The opening number to the 1973 Musical Lost Horizon questions the audience if they ever dreamed of a place far away from it all. It was the remake of a movie from the 30’s based on a novel of the fabled hidden city of Shangri-la.
This city was haven of peace and tranquility that one day would emerge when the rest of mankind, torn from war and strife, would look to it for hope. With a Vietnam War wearied nation and world, the song had some resonance. The movie was a flop. However, the song’s lyrics were powerful to me.
As time passed on, I realized that the concept of Shangri-la does not lie in some hidden city but in our determination to create it in our lives, our families and neighborhoods. It is easy to hope for some far off superhero or super society to come in and save the day. It takes courage for each of us to rise to the challenge and make that place we dream of our reality.
We live in hard economic times when the very worst in ourselves can take over like racism, bigotry, hatred and greed. We can also see the best of ourselves emerge like love, selflessness, charity, tolerance, understanding, service and civility.
We are a world community so we cannot isolate ourselves to just our neighborhoods. We must reach out further because we are in the century of the global neighborhood.
So that Lost Horizon can be found. It is in our hearts.
Lost Horizon
By: Burt Bacharach
Have you ever dreamed of a place
Far away from it all
Where the air you breathe is soft and clean
And children play in fields of green
And the sound of guns
Doesn¹t pound in your ears (anymore)
Have you ever dreamed of a place
Far away from it all
Where the winter winds will never blow
And living things have room to grow
And the sound of guns
Doesn¹t pound in your ears anymore.
Many miles from yesterday before you reach tomorrow
Where the time is always just today
There¹s a lost horizon________waiting to be found.
There¹s a lost horizon
Where the sound of guns
Doesn¹t pound in your ears
anymore.
Tasithoughts' Weblog 
thank you very much for your write-up of lost horizon. i have poignant memories of the movie, i was only in high school in my homeland, the philippines, when i t was shown.
i’m so moved and enlightened with your concept of shangrila.before i read your lines, i feel so down from being rejected by one person who seemed not to understand my own horizon.
again, thanks for those powerful words.
Graci,
I am so glad that this post helped you. Your comments made my day.
JP
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