67. Gandalf's Blessing

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Song: Gandalf's Blessing
Words: J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings)
Music​: Joshua Blaine

Lyrics
May the wind, may the wind, may the wind under your wings
Bear you where, bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks.

Not all who wander are lost.

Notes: Ever feel stuck in a really bad place? The hobbits got stuck, and Gandalf blesses the eagles who rescue them. I chose to start this episode with a quote by Cynewulf (9?th century), one of the four Old English poets whose works survive today, because that was a time period J.R.R. Tolkien, (20th century) was deeply influenced by -- and here's Joshua Blaine setting this blessing in the 21st century. This makes for a great "setting-off" song -- and also a song of trust in that wind carrying. As I sing this, I love to feel a connection with something ancient in my own bones. I played with it as I shared it with you, making up extra parts at the end -- please, explore -- let the wind bear you! -- as you sing with me.

Songwriter Info: Joshua Blaine (he/him) is a community songleader, Jewish ritualist & storyteller, and resonant healing facilitator & coach. His work as a songleader began as an inquiry into the state of protest songs after the 2016 election, which sent him out on the road to interview dozens of musicians and song leaders for a project called “Finding Our Voice.” Since then, he’s been a humble servant of song, singing in capitol rotundas, at meetings & marches and around dinner tables across the country. Whether as a songleader, organizer, or resonant healing facilitator, he draws upon the rich tradition of both his recent and ancient Jewish ancestors of seeding resistance and resilience through song. After spending eight years in the heart of Texas, Joshua now resides in Providence on the oceanic lands of the Narragansett and Wampanoag, also known as Rhode Island.

Links: 
The song is free to share but Josh always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.
http://linktr.ee/joshuahblaine
Joshua's live recording with a group (and his own Gandalf voice!)

Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Minor (Dorian implied), 3 layers
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