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  • Published on

    202. Ribbon 11: Listening

    Ribbon
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    The Sunday after this episode is released, August 31st, 2025, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us!

    ​Lyrics     ​& Links to the original episodes for the songs in this ribbon.
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    110. The Crow Calls
    by Maggie Wheeler

    1. The crow calls,
    the sun falls;
    they know the rhythm,
    the rhythm of it all.
    (2x)

    2. We are the only ones
    who have forgotten 
    how to listen,
    we’re the only ones
    who have forgotten
    how to listen.
    We are the only ones
    who have forgotten
    how to listen,
    the earth 
    is calling us to
    open up our ears.

    3. Put your hands in the dirt,
    let’s heal the hurt.
    The earth is waiting
    for us to do the work,
    do the work!
    (2x)
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    ​22. When the Water Is Glass Calm
    by Paul Barton

    1. When the water is glass calm,
    the stillness cradles life.

    2. The sun rises slowly,
    pealing through the trees,
    bringing colour to the sky.

    3. Listen, listen,
    to the small sounds
    of this new day.
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    ​194. Hildegard's Song
    by Barbara McAfee
    based on words of Hildegard of Bingen

    There is music
    in, in all things;
    but we can't hear it
    ​until we sing.
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    118. Listen In
    by Jennie Pearl

    Listen in

    ​Here I am
    this is my center
    What is mine, What is mine?

    We're learning how to reach for each other
    may we reach
    may we teach

    Through the blurred lines,
    The pain and confusion,
    may we reach
    may we teach
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    ​60. Just As You Are
    by Lea Morris

    Just as you are, without changing a thing.
    Just as you are, I accept you.
    I see you, I hear you, I
    welcome you in; just as you are.
    Just as you are.
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    ​191. Another World
    Patricia Norton
    text from My Seditious Heart, p.204 
    by Arundhati Roy


    Another world
    is not only possible,
    she is on her way.
    On a quiet day,
    I can hear her breathing.
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    201. I Walk in Beauty

    3:4 Be Present Beauty Mantra Motion Notice Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Layer Song Form: Round Wisdom
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:55
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:21

    ​Lyrics:

    As I walk, as I walk,
    as I walk I walk with beauty

    Beauty it walks before me,
    beauty it walks behind me,
    beauty it walks below me,
    beauty it walks above me
    ​
    Beauty is on every side,
    as I walk I walk with beauty
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    Song: I Walk in Beauty
    Words by: traditional Navajo (Diné) blessing
    Music by: John Harrison

    Notes: John Harrison turned to the teachings of the Diné people, the Navajo, to help him find the awareness of the beauty that exists in our world alongside everything else. As we live in a complex time, beset with multiple crises, wisdom teachings that have survived complex, critical times are a resource. This episode was a challenge for me, as I ended up leaving it in the range that John gave it to me -- one best suited for tenors and sopranos, and requiring a little more opening and exploration for lower voices! I share a technique that helped me find my way, but you are also welcome to just drop it down into the lower part of your voice -- find a way that feels good to sing!

    Songwriter Info: John Harrison is a composer, choral director, singer, and voice teacher who has been performing professionally since he was a lad. He sings and teaches in a variety of styles that reflect his eclectic performing background in church music, rock bands, jazz combos, gospel choirs, musical comedy, and a few things that defy description. Currently he directs Rock City!, Vermont’s rock and soul chorus, in Barre VT; Reelin’ & Rockin’, a rock and roll choir for seniors in Montpelier VT; and is the emeritus director of the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir in Montpelier VT. He has taught teenagers and adults in workshops, camps and holidays through Village Harmony, Turtle Dove Harmony, Songways (UK), as well as on his own. He was a K-12 Vermont music educator for 10 years. His compositions have been performed and recorded by many community choirs in the US and the UK. John lives with his wife Scottie in Plainfield, VT.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact John for recording and/or performing permission.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:55
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:21

    Links:
    John's website: www.johnmarkharrison.com 
    More about Navajo (Diné) teaching of The Beauty Way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tZHIER3Jb4 

    Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, minor, round or 3-layer

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  • Published on

    200. Don't Give Up with guest Becky Reardon

    4:4 Change Determination Flex Flow Hope Journey Motion Scale: Mixolydian Song Form: Round Water
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:05:42
    The Moon instructional song: 00:42:11
    The Sticky Cocklebur: 00:43:19
    Start time of reprise: 00:56:19

    ​Lyrics:

    Don't give up; give a little kindness to yourself. 
    Put a little flex -- put a little flex in your plan.
    Find another way -- like a river!
    Flow -- may you never stop flowing.
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    Song: Don't Give Up
    Music by: Becky Reardon

    Notes: Thinking about tough times, Becky Reardon says, "The worst thing we can do is go silent." Here's a song to help with that -- a song about both grit and kindness; how a little flex can be the strongest response. She says, “Of all times when we need to get together and sing… this is the time to keep it going.” We talk about her love of the high desert, trees, community... how church and family singing embedded love of harmonies. How Naomi Shihab Nye reminded her, "When times are hard, do something satisfying." Plus a sticky cocklebur song! It's a good conversation to help return you to yourself, your power to bring more decency and compassion into the world.

    Songwriter Info: Becky Reardon's voice is familiar to the millions of people who hear her sing on the Charlie Brown/Peanuts TV specials. She is a composer whose songs and rounds are widely sung by community and university choirs, song circles, and singing classes. Sometimes jazzy and fun-loving, sometimes trance-inducing and deeply spiritual, her music always conveys her passion for the natural world and the cycles of life. 

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Becky for recording and/or performing permission.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:05:42
    The Moon instructional song: 00:42:11
    The Sticky Cocklebur: 00:43:19
    Start time of reprise: 00:56:19

    Links:
    Becky's website: www.beckyreardonmusic.com 
    Alone from “Someday You’ll Find Her, Charlie Brown”: https://youtu.be/5VpmohI_ZZQ?feature=shared 
    Farther Along from “Why, Charlie Brown, Why”: https://youtu.be/6SY1MNEXHvY?feature=shared
    Video of workshop improv singing: https://youtube.com/shorts/i2Z2Ltqy6dA
    Rhiannon: https://rhiannonmusic.com/
    The Lama Foundation: https://www.lamafoundation.org/ 
    Winter Solstice Song (Deep down in the belly of the night): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbV-DaVxzE8 
    Becky Graber: https://beckygraber.com/ – and her conversation episode on ABS: https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/165-heaven-above-earth-below-with-guest-becky-graber#/ 
    Sue Coffee: https://www.resonancechorus.org/artistic-director.html
    Elise Witt https://elisewitt.com/web/about-elise-witt/
    Retreat with Elise and Becky on Ossabaw Island:: https://elisewitt.com/web/calendar/ossabaw-island-retreat-2026/
    The Moon instructional song: https://beckyreardonmusic.com/product/where-is-the-moon/
    The Sticky Cocklebur: https://beckyreardonmusic.com/product/the-sticky-cocklebur/
    Becky’s Bandcamp page - to come!
    Ella Fitzgerald: https://www.ellafitzgerald.com/ 
    René Marie: https://renemarie.com/ 

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, mixolydian, round

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  • Published on

    199. The Turtle Remembers

    3:4 Cycles Dreams Rest Scale: Aeolian #7 (harmonic Minor) Sea Seasons Song Form: Round Water Waves
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:14
    Start time of reprise: 00:15:09

    Lyrics:

    The Turtle remembers a dream in December,
    Alone with God.
    Alone with songs of the whales, returning, returning.
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    Song: The Turtle Remembers
    Music by: Becky Reardon

    Notes: Becky Reardon's songwriting drew me toward community singing when I was still in a choral paradigm -- and this round is a stunning example of combining a haunting melody with words that help me remember the ancient self that moves within. Happily, I didn't sing it alone for this episode -- I'm joined by friends and neighbors, Karen Chickering, Molly Moerdyk, and you may recognize Rebecca Csuy from earlier episodes?! We take our time with the round, leaving space for you to sing a line alone for a bit if you'd like -- or sing with any of us! Next week, in our conversation, Becky talks to me about singing with others and the communities that's built -- and we get a little peek into cartoonist Charles Schultz's life, too -- because people are connected in all kinds of wild ways! (A wee blooper at the end -- what happens when you start a round and no one else comes in?)

    Songwriter Info: Becky Reardon's voice is familiar to the millions of people who hear her sing on the Charlie Brown/Peanuts TV specials. She is a composer whose songs and rounds are widely sung by community and university choirs, song circles, and singing classes. Sometimes jazzy and fun-loving, sometimes trance-inducing and deeply spiritual, her music always conveys her passion for the natural world and the cycles of life. 

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Becky for recording and/or performing permission.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:14
    Start time of reprise: 00:15:09

    Links:
    Becky's website: www.beckyreardonmusic.com 
    Abbey Lincoln's song Down Here Below: https://youtu.be/S4jvYELMUZc?feature=shared 

    Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, harmonic minor, round

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    Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support.  https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html