[Get involved | Our songs 2026 | Rehearsals | Practice files]
Since 2023 we have ended small park BIG RUN with a mass sing. Thanks to the wealth and enthusiasm of musical and choral talent in Sheffield, we have gathered choirs and anyone who would like to take part in singing to people of Gaza who have connected on zoom, and people around the world who have connected via a live online link.
It has been a joyful and deeply meaningful occasion for many: the sense of togetherness, the expression of solidarity and the outpouring of emotion has proved to be a wonderful way to end the small park BIG RUN festival. As someone said last year: “An amazing and moving experience to be directly connected to Gaza!”
BIG SING 2026
Once again this year, we are inviting you to sing at or attend the climax of our weekend!
At 12noon on Sunday 21 st June the runners complete their amazing 24 hour challenge and everyone gathers on the slope opposite Meersbrook Hall to sing 3 songs of solidarity with the communities we are supporting.
There will be a large digital screen this year and we will both see and hear – as well as be heard and seen by the communities we are supporting. The sense of personal connection enhanced by the spiritual power of song will be visceral!
Get involved on the day
To take part in the singing please assemble from 11.15am outside Meersbrook Hall S8 9FQ on Sunday 21 st June.
We will start rehearsing promptly at 11.30am and the whole event will finish at 12.45pm. If singing please bring water, suitable clothing, a hat or sun lotion if appropriate and a small seat or stool if standing for long periods is a challenge. [Back to top]
The songs we are singing
1. “Together for Palestine – Lullaby”
A haunting lament for all that is happening which hit the international
song charts before Christmas, and will be well known and appreciated in Gaza. Studio version here:
Our choir will do the chorus complemented by a soloist.
2. “You’ll never walk alone”
This is a well known anthem (especially for Liverpool fans!) that expresses solidarity with people going through challenging times, arranged in 4 parts by Emer McKay. We prefix the sing with a spoken trasnslation in Arabic so that our guests can better appreciate the song’s meaning. Below is a video of the 2023 performance. Singing starts 2 minutes in.
3. “L’Hurriya Jaya”
This is an uplifting 4-part song from the South African Anti-Apartheid struggle(‘Freedom is Coming’) which we will sing in English and Arabic. It expresses resilience and the
determination to keep optimistic. [Back to top]
Practice and rehearsals
We are organising two rehearsals please come along and join in, you do not need to be part of a choir!
- Monday 1st June 7pm – 8.30pm
St Andrew’s United Reform Church, 80 Upper Hanover St, Broomhall, Sheffield S3 7RQ.
Access via the church door giving onto Hannover Way. - Wednesday 10th June 6pm – 7.30pm at the rehearsal space of Giving Voices:
Cemetery Road Baptist, Church Hall, 11 Napier St, Sheffield S11
Come to one or both or simply turn up on the day. It will be great to see you.
If you’d like to practice in advance we’ve created song files for each song.