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    99. Turning Wheel

    4:4 Change Cycles Determination Empower Grow Heart Justice Love Ribbon Scale: Minor Song Form: Layer
    Song: Turning Wheel
    Music: Lisa G. Littlebird
    Lyrics

    Part 1: There’s a wheel that is turning, calling me in to my power
    There’s a wheel that is turning, calling me in to my voice

    Part 2: It’s turning, we’re learning to stand inside our hearts
    It’s turning, we’re learning to stand in love
    ​
    Part 3 & 4: I will not be silent

    Picture
    Notes: A helpful therapist once said to me that feelings can help me understand how I perceive the world – I feel sadness when I experience loss; fear lets me know that I'm seeing a threat, anger flags where I see unfairness or injustice. What I love about this song is the way it lets the feelings roll into a grounding of power -- one's own voice and ability to stand in love -- and not be silent. Lisa wrote it in the aftermath of the violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in August of 2017. I invite us to recognize where we see wrong, and let this song help find our powerful voices in response, aligned in heart and love.

    ​Songwriter Info: Lisa G. Littlebird facilitates group singing as a transformational personal practice, healing art, and to foster healthy communities. She is the creator of Littlebird Flight School, a community song leader training program with more than 400 graduates worldwide. She also founded the 160-member Wholehearted Chorus in Big Sur & Monterey, CA and has been on the faculty at Esalen Institute for 15 years. 

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

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:21
    Start time of reprise: 00:14:15​

    Links: 
    Lisa's Website: https://thebirdsings.com/
    Lisa's Patreon: patreon.com/thebirdsings
    Lisa's song library:     https://thebirdsings.com/song-library/
    Turning Wheel in Lisa's library: https://thebirdsings.com/turning-wheel/

    Nuts & Bolts: ​​4:4, minor, 4-layer song

    ​Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
  • Published on

    98. Between Nothing and Everything

    3:4 6:8 Accept Belonging Cycles Flow Journey Love Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Round Wisdom
    Song: Between Nothing and Everything
    Music: Angela Gabriel
    Words: based on text by Nisahrgadatta Maharaj

    ​Lyrics:
    ​
    Wisdom is knowing, knowing I am nothing.
    Love is knowing I am everything, everything, everything, and be-
    tween​ the two, between the two, between the two my life moves.
    Picture
    Notes: Angela Gabriel has given us a brilliant setting based on words by Nisargadatta Maharaj, “Wisdom is knowing I am nothing, Love is knowing I am everything, and between the two my life moves.” The first line twists around on itself disappears into nothingness. The second line starts an octave away and drops into the security of "everything." Then, on a note in the middle of the two starting pitches, and in 6:8 instead of 3:4, the song begins to dance and flow, and ends on a slightly surprised major third. You don't have to know any of that for it to work its magic, though -- simply let it wind into your body as a beautiful melodic invitation to release. I'll be singing this one to myself long after this podcast is wrapped up, reminding me of both-and, flow, fluidity.

    ​Songwriter Info: Angela is a professional percussionist & pianist and community music/community singing facilitator. She lived in Santa Fe NM for the last 20 years, where she played with the opera, symphony, chamber music festival, as well as in African, Haitian, and samba gatherings, funk and ragtime bands.  She just moved to Bloomington, Indiana in the end of 2022.
    Angela's mission in life is to facilitate expressive creative, musical, and vocal experiences and to encourage folks to replace judgement with curiosity and open themselves to their unique, creative flow. Part of how Angela does this is by singing and drumming online weekly with people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders.

    Sharing Info: This song is free to share but Angela always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Links: 
    Angela's website: www.AngelaGabriel.me
    Support Angela's work: find songs, rhythmic activities, and more at patreon.com/AngelaGabriel
    Check out Hidden Whale, Angela's old band (she's the drummer): https://youtube.com/channel/UCpxdVqwSxzEBhgUilN3qQLg
    Nisargadatta Maharaj: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisargadatta_Maharaj

    Nuts & Bolts: ​​3:4, Aeolian with major final third, round

    ​Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
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    97. Settle Like A Pebble

    4:4 Be Present Calm Earth Flow Gentle Release Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized Trust Water
    ​Song: Settle Like A Pebble
    Music & Words: Laura Walker
    Lyrics
    ​
    Settle, settle like a pebble.
    Settle, settle like a pebble.
    Settle like a pebble on a riverbed.
    Drift like a feather on a stream.
    You can travel with the flow, if you just let go,
    and close your eyes and be.
    Drift, and settle gently.
    You can travel with the flow, if you just let go.
    The water flow will wash you clean.

    Picture
    Notes: I sometimes find my body feels chaotic and overloaded with visual and audio stimulation. "Settle Like A Pebble" is a song that helps me drop in -- it feels almost like a psyche rinse! As I sing it, I feel a loosening and ease – the calm of the word "settle" – I am reminded of the feel of a pebble, round in my fingers, smooth in a riverbed – then the float and lightness of “drift like a feather” – and finally, the low release of “let go” and “close your eyes and be." Laura Walker's detailed stop-action videos & original songs on her Marnie Bee Mindful youtube channel create a unique visual & audio meditation -- here's one to explore -- Space: https://youtu.be/_E_DT6qiipM

    ​Songwriter Info: Laura Walker started writing short songs about a year ago as a creative outlet and a way to help her remember kind self care messages to access when she needs them. She found focus in making short films to accompany the songs and to help illustrate the words and began posting on YouTube under the name Marnie Bee Mindful as a way to share the things that work for her with others who may enjoy them. “Settle Like A Pebble” is about slowing down and taking a calm moment to let go of the stresses of the day to close your eyes and allow thoughts to drift. Spending time in nature, especially near water helps Laura achieve this mindful state but the song reminds her that calm peacefulness can also be found by closing her eyes and imagining somewhere beautiful too. It’s her wish that by being extra kind and gentle to ourselves and connecting through music we can help find the strength to share and cultivate these things with those around us too. She hopes the song helps you settle into your day and soothes you a little. ​

    Sharing Info: Yes the song is free to share for anyone who feels it may be help, please be kind enough to mention Laura as composer when doing so and the Marnie Bee Mindful YouTube Channel. It brings her such joy to know if a song has been of use to someone so if a song helped she'd love to hear from you! 

    Links:
    Laura's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marniebeemindful/
    Laura's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084878260963
    Laura's Website: https://marniebeemindful.com/
    ​Laura's YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarnieBeeMindful 

    Nuts & Bolts: ​4:4, major (Ionian), harmonized and a countermelody

    ​Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
  • Published on

    96. Beautiful Rain With Singer Rebecca Csuy

    3:4 Be Grateful Calm Celebrate Earth Flow Gentle Grow Heal Rain Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Layer Water
    Song: Beautiful Rain
    Music & Words: unknown origin, 2nd section by Patricia Norton
    Lyrics
    ​
    Rain, rain, rain, rain, beautiful rain.
    Rain, rain, rain, rain, beautiful rain.
    Rain falling down on the plains,
    On the roofs of our towns,
    Beautiful rain.

    Rain, rain, rain, rain, beautiful rain.
    Rain, rain, rain, rain, beautiful rain.
    Rain falling down on the plains,
    Rooftop raindrops, rooftop raindrops falling,
    Beautiful rain.
    Picture
    Notes: Rain is not always the easiest weather for me to delight in... seems to come with dark days and wet, slippery footing -- I often get a little cranky in response! I love the delight in the rain this song evokes -- reminds me of how crucial water is, what a gift to have it falling fresh from the sky. The original melody reminds me of the whoosh of rain, and as we sing "Rain falling down on the plains," the melody falls, too. Then in the response melody, I put the plink of the rain drops on the rooftops -- so the whole song is an onomatopoetic celebration of rain that enchants me out of crankiness into delight.

    ​Songwriter Info: I got to record this one live with my daughter and dear friend, Rebecca, which affirmed for me the magic of singing with someone you love. Just as relationships of love grow and shift and change, some songs seem to grow organically, shifting shape and adapting to their circumstances. I always want to respect and hear the intent of the composer, and there are times when a song adapts in relationship to the singer. When sharing songs that have grown or changed, or songs of unknown provenance, I think it’s really important to name what we do know, what we guess, what we've changed (after requesting permission if there's a living composer), and welcome learning more. So: I learned the melody of this song from Micky Hickey, who offers a beautiful set of pocket songs on Instagram. (See the links below.) She learned it from Bennett Konesni, a songsharer in Maine. It has definite echoes, and maybe even quotes from the Joseph Shabalala song, Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain, that Ladysmith Black Mambazo released in 1987, but it’s not exactly that song. I added the response melody… so what we’re singing today is a song of accretion and adaptation. Maybe you will add to it or adapt it as it enters your life? And if you have more information about the origin of the song, I would love to hear!​

    Sharing Info: Free to share, but please credit the full history as we know it.

    Links: 
    Micky Hickey's Pocket Song project: https://www.instagram.com/pocketsongproject/
    Bennett Konesni:     http://www.duckbackfarm.com/
    Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke6RF3IH45g

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:24
    Start time of reprise: 00:14:12

    Nuts & Bolts: ​3:4, Major, melody & countermelody

    ​Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
  • Published on

    95. Joy To Your Heart with guests Cathy Baker and Dick Jackson

    4:4 Celebrate Empower Friendship Generosity Heart Hope Joy Light Love Open Play Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Zipper Songwriter Conversation
    Song: Joy To Your Heart
    Music & Words: Cathy Baker and Dick Jackson
    ​Lyrics

    I want to bring joy to your heart,
    I want to bring joy to your (+) heart.
    I want to bring joy to your heart,
    Joy, joy, joy!

    Joy! Joy! Joy!
    Let me bring you some Joy! Joy! Joy!
    *I want to pour it on ya* Joy! Joy! Joy!
    Let me share my Joy! Joy! Joy!

    (this to your that, this to your that...)
    Examples:
    wind-sail or hugs-heart
    blue-sky or soup-bowl
    *line is changed to suit the bold-faced pair*
    Picture
    ​Notes: Lately, I've been reading closely the lengthy gratitude lists that follow any achievement, struck by the glories created in collaboration. Cathy Baker and Dick Jackson are both work and life partners... so I had many questions for them about collaboration. How do you nurture trust, how do you communicate through disagreement? They took over the reins of the large and thriving Getttin' Higher Choir from beloved coleaders Siobhan Robinsong and Denis Donnelly -- such changes are often fraught with disappointments and unhappiness -- yet they seemed to me to have negotiated the transition with grace and generosity. Cathy describes "A whole lot of good will and an understanding of what ultimately really matters here… that we each feel completely heard," and according to Dick, “A little bit of meditation practice can go a long way.” Hear, too, about their thoughts about imposter syndrome (hint: it's real!), "only the freshest" choral arrangements, the difference between "performer" and "facilitator of people singing in harmony," and more... including Cathy's exuberant, warm-hearted wish, partially inspired by large bus windshield wipers -- "I want to bring joy to your heart!"

    ​Songwriter Info: Cathy was once the shy middle kid of 5 siblings where singing as a family was just part of everyday life. She always loved singing, especially around campfires, on road trips, wilderness trips or anywhere outside. Always seeking harmony, she got over much of her performance shyness by bringing groups of friends together to sing. She now directs the Gettin' Higher Choir with her life partner, Dick Jackson, and she is on the leadership team for both The Ubuntu Choirs Network and the Community Choir Leadership Training (CCLT) program in Victoria, BC. Cathy is active in her local Unitarian Universalist community where Dick is the Musical Director. Together, Cathy and Dick provide musical leadership for Canadian UU camps and Canadian national UU services. They both welcome the opportunity to bring members of the Gettin' Higher Choir to "Sing When Asked To" community events. Dick was fortunate to have singing in the home with his Mom from an early age, and kept involved with singing, school band and organ, later with percussion, piano and a few stints in opera chorus. A keen observer of his excellent music leaders over the years, he is grateful to be able to make this a shared joyful vocation with Cathy.​

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share but Cathy always welcome financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved. Do let Cathy know where this song has travelled. Have fun...may it bring JOY to your heart!

    Links:
    Gettin’ Higher Choir: ​​http://www.gettinhigherchoir.ca/index.php
    Gettin’ Higher Choir YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thegettinhigherchoir8002
    Community Choir Leadership Training Program: http://www.communitychoirleadership.com/
    Ubuntu Choir Network: http://www.ubuntuchoirs.net/index.php
    Pat Wictor: https://patwictor.com/
    Cee Cee’s Climb by Pat Wictor, performed by Brother Sun https://youtu.be/fkTVK2Yg-JI
    Dick’s album that’s affected him strongly: Joe Jackson “A Big World”
    Dick suggestion for an artist:Joe Jackson: http://joejackson.com/
    Cathy’s album that’s affected her strongly: Peter Paul & Mary: Peter, Paul & Mommy
    Cathy’s suggestion for an artist: Connie Kaldor: https://www.conniekaldor.com/
    Patti Page: Mocking Bird Hill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7zrMzVNYwo
    God Sees the Little Sparrow Fall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnN1Cu7RZ-Q
    A sound Cathy feels strongly about – Pacific Chorus Frogs: https://acousticatlas.org/item/2433

    Nuts & Bolts: ​4:4, Major, zipper song

    ​Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
  • Published on

    94. You Got This

    3 Layer 4:4 Be Present Breathe Celebrate Determination Empower Enough Scale: Mixolydian Trust
    ​​Song: You Got This!
    Music & Words: Cathy Baker​
    ​Lyrics

    You GOT this, uh huh!
    ​You GOT this, uh huh!     x2

    FLY be free!... x2 
    ​
    Soar!     x2 

    Picture

    Notes: A confidence and energy builder in your pocket never goes amiss... it's like a chocolate chip energy bar on a hike! Cathy Baker's song snugs in with an "I've got your back and we're all good" kind of vibe that's perfect for big projects, long days, nerve-wracking performance situations, tedious meetings, phone calls with you-know-who... I loved learning from Cathy that this song was born out of a wee struggle with imposter syndrome as she took on co-leadership of a large, thriving community choir in Victoria, B.C. She and her partner, Dick Jackson, were taking on the Gettin' Higher Choir from much beloved founders Siobhan Robinsong and Denis Donnelly -- and Cathy admitted in next week's conversation to sometimes needing a bit of parking lot boost! Dick and Cathy and I enjoyed taking apart how Denis, Siobhan, Dick, and Cathy all worked together with generosity to create a transition that worked for the choir. But that's next week... for now, You've Got This!

    ​Songwriter Info: Cathy was once the shy middle kid of 5 siblings where singing as a family was just part of everyday life. She always loved singing, especially around campfires, on road trips, wilderness trips or anywhere outside. Always seeking harmony, she got over much of her performance shyness by bringing groups of friends together to sing. She now directs the Gettin' Higher Choir with her life partner, Dick Jackson, and she is on the leadership team for both The Ubuntu Choirs Network and the Community Choir Leadership Training (CCLT) program in Victoria, BC. Cathy is active in her local Unitarian Universalist community where Dick is the Musical Director. Together, Cathy and Dick provide musical leadership for Canadian UU camps and Canadian national UU services. They both welcome the opportunity to bring members of the Gettin' Higher Choir to "Sing When Asked To" community events. Dick was fortunate to have singing in the home with his Mom from an early age, and kept involved with singing, school band and organ, later with percussion, piano and a few stints in opera chorus. A keen observer of his excellent music leaders over the years, he is grateful to be able to make this a shared joyful vocation with Cathy.​

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share but Cathy always welcome financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Links:
    Gettin' Higher Choir: http://www.gettinhigherchoir.ca/

    ​Nuts & Bolts: ​4:4, Mixolydian, 3-part layer song

    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!