And the World Kept On Turning

SSATB

“Several of the kids talked after the concert about how moving And the World Kept On Turning was — that from the moment it started, they were just sucked into it. There are a lot of new kids in our choir program this year, and for them to get to see that and be immersed in it was really awesome.”

— Randy Preston, Stony Point High School

Lyrics

Out of complacency
That day did force me
Given no time, in the blink of an eye
You said goodbye

And the world kept on turning
Leaving you far behind
I could only look back
And ask myself “why?”

Leaves fell, then flowers bloomed
I grew without you
I kept you with me
Stuck in a memory

But the world kept on turning
Leaving us far behind
How could I let go?
It was I you defined

Now I must say goodbye
For the world keeps on turning
Leaving us far behind
I am ending this chapter
For a new storyline

Goodbye

Now the world keeps on turning
And I know you are gone
I will never forget you
But I have to move on

About the Music

And the World Kept On Turning is about learning to let go, whether that be a person, a place, a season of life, or something else — a universal theme that everyone must experience. Dynamic phrasing plays a vital role in the piece, and a djembe part drives a steady pulse throughout. The overall mood sits comfortably between melancholy and upbeat.

Behind the Music

In early 2025, I began reaching out to choir directors who may be interested in commissioning new choral music. One of those people was fellow HSU alumni Randy Preston at Stony Point High School in Round Rock, Texas. Randy was thrilled at the idea of a commission for his students, so I began writing a piece for his program that summer. What came about was a melody that, while beautiful, sounded very reminiscent — almost like it was looking into the past, yearning for something. At first I thought it might be about losing a loved one, but I felt it needed a broader subject matter. By the end of the writing process, the message was clear: it was about learning to let go. And while this message can still apply to losing a loved one, it can also apply to moving on from a place you once called “home,” a relationship that has drastically changed, or some other season of life.

The online premiere of the ’26–’27 CFM Choral Catalog, which features ten never-before-released choral compositions by Christian Fortner. During this online event, Christian speaks about the primary uses for each piece in your choir program. Whether you direct a middle school, high school, or college-level choir, there is something here for you!