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Songs to uncover wellness
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3/2/2022 4 Comments

39. Stand In That River

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Song: Stand In That River
Words & Music​ by Moira Smiley
Lyrics
Chorus: Come and stand in that river, Current, gentle and slow,
Send your troubles down water, Down on that water flow.

1. When you stand in that river, Angels sing in your head.
Secrets beyond every worry. Dreams beyond every dread.
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Notes: Okay, I procrastinated on recording this episode for the longest of any song yet... I respect Moira so much, and I desperately wanted to share her song in a beautiful way that convinced you to love it, too. I felt like I wasn't good enough, and I got a good run of the whole imposter syndrome going, yada, yada, yada. But you know what shifted? I remembered why this podcast exists -- to share songs that help me heal, adapt, and grow, so you can sing them, too. And this song is one that I've sung to myself over and over in the middle of troubling times to help me release and let go. When I sing this into myself, I can see more clearly which actions might be mine to make next. And when the world is in turmoil, this is what helps me navigate a way forward. None of us (myself included) need to have a stunning voice for a song to be a companion... and I'm grateful to Moira for this gift. Please notice, I haven't shared the entire song here, only an excerpt... check out the links below to hear the whole song, and buy the music on her website for yourself or to share with others. Next episode: a conversation with Moira Smiley herself, who turns out to be absolutely lovely and generous -- we talk creativity, how rest is part of the job, how her voice has protected her, and more...​
​
Songwriter Info: As a composer, Moira Smiley is known worldwide for choral arrangements like Bring Me Little Water, Silvy and originals, Stand in That River and How Can I Cry. Her music is sung by millions of singers worldwide. She’s credited with helping to bring body percussion into the choral mainstream and is in demand as a commissioned composer, writing multi-movement pieces including Time In Our Voices and In The Desert With You for the Los Angeles Master Chorale, evening-length secular liturgy, The Song Among Us and Tis A Fearful Thing for Craig Hella Johnson’s Conspirare and CVAE, Vonnegut Requiem: Light Perpetual for Voces Novae, Loud My Soul for Ad Astra Festival and I Have A Voice for ACDA Women's Choral Consortium. The European premiere of Time In Our Voices was performed by the voices and mobile phones of Ars Nova Copenhagen under the direction of Paul Hillier.
  In 2018-2019 Moira released the album and choral songbook, Unzip The Horizon as companion to her ‘The Voice Is A Traveler’ solo show. In 2021 she released the all-vocal social-justice centered album, In Our Voices with four powerful singers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
 She continues composing and improvising in collaboration with artists in film, video game production, theater and dance, and her work can be heard on feature film soundtracks, BBC & PBS television programs, NPR, and on more than 70 commercial albums.
  “Moira Smiley is a marvel—an omnivorous singing and composing chameleon with a voice that can wail or caress at will!” -- Grant Gershon - artistic director, Los Angeles Master Chorale
  “Moira Smiley is a brilliant musician – an innovative composer and arranger, and a heartbreakingly beautiful singer. Her music transcends (and expands) boundaries.” -- Billy Childs - multi-grammy-winning composer/pianist
  “I’m so thankful I’ve had the privilege of performing and recording with Moira. She embodies the endless creative potential of the voice, and… (has made) a deeply moving body of work.” -- Merrill Garbus - Tune-Yards


Links:
www.moirasmiley.com for all info including sheet music, practice tracks!
https://moirasmileysubscription.com/ to support Moira monthly for as little as $4/mo.
https://www.instagram.com/moirasmiley/ for up-to-date personal and music pics
https://www.youtube.com/c/MoiraSmileyMusic for official music videos, song and body percussion tutorials and live performances
A beautiful recording of a quartet singing the full Stand In That River, part of "The Mt. Tom Sessions".
Moira's own recording of Stand In That River with VOCO.


Nuts & Bolts: ​3:4, Ionian, harmonized melody

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4 Comments
Sue Deaett
3/2/2022 07:38:00 pm

Dear Patricia,
Thank you so much for your bravery and for sharing this splendid song.
I am dancing with angels and singingwholeheartedly with my imperfect voice.

Reply
Patricia
3/2/2022 09:00:50 pm

Yay, Sue... go, us!!!

Reply
Wendy Luella Perkins
3/3/2022 03:00:11 pm

LOVE this song Patricia...your voice and harmonies and vulnerability woven together = BEAUTIFUL from my perspective. Very calmful! And what a beautiful song. The song is still swirling in my heart and on my lips as I move through my day. I can understand why it is one you return to again and again. I look forward to meeting Moira next week on your podcast. So many thanks wending my way to you both...

Reply
Patricia
3/4/2022 04:41:26 pm

Wendy Luella, this is such a lovely comment -- I am so deeply glad we've found each other and can nurture each other's work this way -- in case anyone else is reading these comments, Wendy Luella offers beautiful soulful singing at http://wendyluellaperkins.com/ (and on TikTok!).

Reply



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All original art by Patty Piotrowski,
pocket song singer
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aided and abetted by Hannah Gross
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