Song: I Will Face the Light/Dark

Music by: Jeri Katherine Howell


Song Learning Time Stamps:

Start of teaching: 00:03:20

Start of reprise: 00:15:24



Lyrics:


I will face the *light

I won’t lean in or look away

I will face the *light

Here I am, here I’ll be,

here I’ll breathe


I will face the *dark

I won’t lean in or look away

I will face the *dark

Here I am, here I’ll breathe,

here I’ll stay



*change this lyric to fit the both/and that you need

Image description

Notes: I love this personal mantra of Jeri Katherine Howell's that can be harmony-rich or very simple, and helps me center back into my integrity when I'm trying to be present with opposites -- light and dark, for example. Or, as some of the different listeners who wrote to me with opposite things they're holding -- hope & fear, excitement & dread, bitter & sweet, lies & truth. This song holds it all with breath and presence and calm. We sing it different ways -- unaccompanied, then with some strings, then just a two-part vocal harmony -- maybe you add more harmonies, maybe you have more words? Make this song your own if it sings in you....

 

Songwriter Info: Jeri Katherine Howell — award-winning singer-songwriter, cultural organizer, songleader and educator — cultivates creative experiences that inspire us to live in complex and caring relationship with one another and the planet. Rooted in the oral traditions of folk, Bluegrass and Appalachian music, Jeri Katherine’s songwriting and songleading style is in relation with the land, in deep listening to the triumphs and struggles of everyday people, and embodies music as a communal act. As a facilitator, Jeri Katherine believes we’re all teachers and every moment is a practice ground for creating the world we want to exist. As a caretaker, Jeri Katherine centers equitable access to the arts and nature to support our individual and collective well-being and resilience. Jeri Katherine loves to collaborate with organizations, small businesses and artists to cultivate joy and healing and build community. Connect at jerikatherinehowell.com.

 

Sharing Info: Yes -- Please share this song in oral tradition groups, but please contact Jeri for recording and/or performing permission. If you plan to share this song as a songleader, particularly if you are a paid songleader, please consider making a donation. Thank you!

 

Links: 

Become a member and get monthly song tutorials and more at https://ko-fi.com/jerikatherinehowell

Donate on Venmo at https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2771302012157952132&created=1771099464

Join Jeri's email list and check out upcoming shows and workshops at https://jerikatherinehowell.com/

Buy original music downloads and merch at https://jerikatherinehowell.bandcamp.com/

Follow Jeri on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jerikatherinehowell

Follow Jeri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeri.katherine

 

Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, unison, optional harmonies

 

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