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    91. You Are Enough

    4:4 Belonging Earth Enough Generosity Gentle Heal Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Call & Response
    ​​Song: You Are Enough
    Music & Words: Louise Blackburn ​

    ​Lyrics
    You are enough
    Go gentle on the earth
    Go gentle on yourself
    You are enough
    Picture
    Notes: It was amazingly fortuitous -- Louise Blackburn and I had agreed on releasing her song as episode #91, and then it turned out that recording episode #91 live would be just the right time to celebrate 25,000 downloads -- and we had the perfect song in place. In June of 2021, I had searched long and hard for a podcast I could listen to from which I could learn songs for well being and more about the people who shared these songs. I couldn't find it, so I started A Breath of Song together with Patty Piotrowski, constantly reminding myself that who I am, what I bring to the table, is enough. I love the way Louise's song embeds that idea in my brain with gentleness and persistence. The spacious, simple harmonies create an elegant call, while the response feel like it's tugged out of my heart. Recording live in front of a full gallery Zoom audience was a novel way to create an episode, and I believe you can feel the connection I felt with the group and we all felt with you who listens now across the space/time continuum.

    ​Songwriter Info: Louise feels incredibly lucky to run choirs, workshops, festivals, singing for wellbeing groups and yoga and voice sessions across Birmingham, Walsall, Sutton Coldfield and Sandwell in the United Kingdom. Her songs are an absolute joy of creation for her and have been sung all over the world including New Zealand and America. It makes her very emotional to think of them being sung and enjoyed by other people.
    ​
    Sharing Info: The song is free to share but Louise always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Links:
    Louise's website: www.voicesentwined.co.uk
    Louise's Spotify:     https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oTIDDsibmihC771Wvy1Mh

    ​Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Aeolian, 3-part harmonized call with response

    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

    90. The Shame Song with Guest Ahlay Blakely

    12:8 Belonging Change Darkness Future Generations Grow Heal Legacy Pain Scale: Ionian (Major) Shame Song Form: Unison
    Song: the shame song
    Music & Words: Alexandra (Ahlay) Blakely
    Lyrics
    If I'm gonna fall
    and if I'm gonna change;
    may it serve the whole --
    may it turn a page.

    If I'm gonna fail,
    if I'm gonna learn,
    may it serve the whole --
    may it serve the future ones!

    I, too, deserve belonging.
    I, too, deserve to heal.
    I, too, deserve aliveness --
    I deserve to court the shadows here.
    (2x)
    Picture

    Notes: I loved the chance to hear Ahlay share both this song and its origin as a song that "slipped through," almost without effort, in response to hearing someone's deep shame over a Zoom call. Ahlay shares her excitement over her project, WAILS, in which community singing and grief ritual are merged. She talks about "Healing that ripples non-linearly, in a spiral," and says, "I'm channeling the exact medicine that I need for myself." We talk about elders, mentors, wisdom and the tools for remembering that which was meant to be forgotten -- the deep connections that are possible. How "I can't sing" comes from a commodification of voices, while "the inherent birthright of singing is about how it feels in our bodies." Whales, and their wisdom of rising and diving as the nature of things, and the transience of emotions. Brené Brown wrote, "True belonging doesn't require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are." Ahlay has a beautiful way of being who she is, and it was an honor to hold this conversation.

    ​Songwriter Info: Alexandra "Ahlay" Blakely (she/her) is a song carrier remembering that which was meant to be forgotten in her lineages: song technology as connective tissues of the communal body. She blends song, body percussion, dance, stillness, breath & silence with the deepest intention to support others in remembering their inherent birthright to singing and rhythm. Her ancient ancestors of Old Europe (Ashkenazi, Scandinavian, Finnish, English, Scottish, Irish) sang while building, creating, birthing, working & being in reciprocity and bring with the Land. She understands song to be fundamental in the expansion of ones internal capacity to participate in the collective shift towards life-affirming conditions. An underlying prayer in her song offerings is that they may contribute to the shared effort to transform white culture into being more connected with our bodies, emotions, Land & the animate world around us. ​ These songs are swirls of spells for cracking open, falling humbly to our knees and cultivating more access to the conversations our souls are aching to have with us about their most intimate longings. They are dedicated to the more than human world, the Waters and our Kin in both the seen and unseen realms. We sing to shame, courage, for breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and for the preparation of being ready for these times we are living in, all while sending these song-beings in ripples through to the ancient and future ones. The songs sung have come directly through Ahlay.​ ​ Some of her mentors: Whale, Mycelium, Rue, Lightning, Rain, Oak, Redwood & Rosemary
    ​
    Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share but Ahlay always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Links: 
    Wails: Songs for Grief Fundraiser:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/community-singing-album
    Bandcamp digital album "SPELLS FROM THE UNKNOWN" https://ahlayblakely.bandcamp.com/album/spells-from-the-unknown
    Ahlay's Website/Newsletter https://www.healingattheroots.com
    Ahlay's Patreon - new music monthly, 1-3 songs per month: https://www.patreon.com/alexandrablakely
    Instagram @alexandra_blakely
    Ahlay's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJiuxVf4FhGSkYT4K0zpGyA/videos?view=0&sort=p
    Joanna Macy &The Work that Reconnects: https://workthatreconnects.org/spiral/about-joanna/
    Dory Midnight : https://dorimidnight.com
    Kohenet Priestess Institute : https://kohenet.org
    Rabbi Jill Hammer: https://rabbijillhammer.com
    Taya Ma: http://taya.ma
    Rebekah Erev: https://rebekaherevstudio.com
    Nahko Bear: https://www.nahkobear.com
    Sobonfu Some: http://www.sobonfu.com
    Francis Weller 5 Gates of Grief: https://www.francisweller.net/entering-the-healing-ground.html
    Laurence Cole: http://www.laurencecole.com
    Leticia Nieto: http://www.cuetzpalin.com/Cuetzpalin/welcome.html
    Do whales hold their breath?  https://www.whalefacts.org/how-do-whales-breathe/
    Earth Practice: https://earthpracticemusic.bandcamp.com/community

    ​    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:05:16
    Start time of reprise: 01:25:44
    ​
    Nuts & Bolts: 12:8, Major (Ionian), unison

    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

    89. a spell for intergenerational trauma

    12:8 3 Layer Belonging Cycles Empower Legacy Pain Release Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Scale: Minor Tend Trauma
    Song: a spell for intergenerational trauma
    Music & Words: Alexandra (Ahlay) Blakely
    Lyrics

    ​Breaking
    Breaking
    Breaking the cycles now

    Ripple through
    Through to the ancient ones
    Ripple through
    Through to the future ones
    ​
    Healing at the Root
    We’re calling
    Healing at the root
    of our belonging
    ​
    ​
    Picture
    Notes: Patty Piotrowski, who creates the art for each episode after learning the song, wrote about painting for this song of Ahlay Blakely: "The word that jumped out for me was “breaking”. I have a plate, a whole pottery plate on my kitchen table, that holds broken porcelain shards of dishware from the late 1800’s when there was a fire that burned the hotel on Star Island and so much was lost at sea. This past summer when I had the opportunity to go to Star Island for two weeks of art making, I walked the shoreline, and found these remnants of past plates and bowls and cups. These pieces of porcelain from England were worn smooth on the edges from being tossed and turned in the ocean for over 100 years. Each one was a precious discovery for me, telling a bit of the story. The beauty of the brokenness. Back home now and months later I have them arranged on a plate with a candle, reminding me to understand and honor the past, and to heal what I can inside myself in the present."

    As we navigate the rage and wounding and grief in ourselves and others, it can be so helpful to have a framework for understanding… the kind of understanding that leads to healing and compassion. When we break these cycles, it affects the future ones – and it also reaches back and in some way fills the aching dream of those in the past. I love this song for the conviction that my own ache for belonging ripples through time, breaks harmful cycles, and creates a fundamental healing. Don't miss Ahlay's upcoming project, Wails, and the chance to be part of the ripples of change it could create by supporting it.

    Songwriter Info: Alexandra "Ahlay" Blakely (she/her) is a song carrier remembering that which was meant to be forgotten in her lineages: song technology as connective tissues of the communal body. She blends song, body percussion, dance, stillness, breath & silence with the deepest intention to support others in remembering their inherent birthright to singing and rhythm. Her ancient ancestors of Old Europe (Ashkenazi, Scandinavian, Finnish, English, Scottish, Irish) sang while building, creating, birthing, working & being in reciprocity and bring with the Land. She understands song to be fundamental in the expansion of ones internal capacity to participate in the collective shift towards life-affirming conditions. An underlying prayer in her song offerings is that they may contribute to the shared effort to transform white culture into being more connected with our bodies, emotions, Land & the animate world around us. ​ These songs are swirls of spells for cracking open, falling humbly to our knees and cultivating more access to the conversations our souls are aching to have with us about their most intimate longings. They are dedicated to the more than human world, the Waters and our Kin in both the seen and unseen realms. We sing to shame, courage, for breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and for the preparation of being ready for these times we are living in, all while sending these song-beings in ripples through to the ancient and future ones. The songs sung have come directly through Ahlay.​ ​ Some of her mentors: Whale, Mycelium, Rue, Lightning, Rain, Oak, Redwood & Rosemary
    ​
    Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share but Ahlay always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    ​Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:51
    Start time of reprise: 00:15:09

    Links: 
    Wails: Songs for Grief Fundraiser:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/community-singing-album
    Bandcamp digital album "SPELLS FROM THE UNKNOWN" https://ahlayblakely.bandcamp.com/album/spells-from-the-unknown
    Ahlay's Website/Newsletter https://www.healingattheroots.com
    Ahlay's Patreon - new music monthly, 1-3 songs per month https://www.patreon.com/alexandrablakely
    Instagram @alexandra_blakely
    Resmaa Menakem: My Grandmother's Hands -     https://centralrecoverypress.com/product/my-grandmothers-hands-racialized-trauma-and-the-pathway-to-mending-our-hearts-and-bodies-paperback

    Nuts & Bolts: 12:8, flat-7, both major & minor; 3-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

    88. The Land of Oden

    4:4 Be Present Change Earth Farewell Journey Round Scale: Mixolydian Time
    Song: A Land of Oden
    Music & Words: Unknown

    Lyrics
    In the land of Oden,
    there stands a mountain,
    ten thousand miles in the air.
    A little bird comes winging once every million years 
    and sharpens its beak on the mountain,
    then quickly disappears.
    And when that mountain has worn away,
    this til eternity will be one single day.
    Picture
    Notes: I love the way this song takes me into completely different scope of time -- geologic, massive, unimaginable -- and therefore inescapably present. "Ïn the Land of Oden" has a murky history, both for lyrics and melody… it was recorded in the 1960s by many different folk artists, including Peter and Gordon, Barry McGuire and the New Christy Minstrels, and the Townsmen… but is credited to different composers on each recording. And they are all slightly different than the version I learned from Adam Podd (check out episode #82!). This particular melody has stayed with me, though, and it resonated in me with a Buddhist story Jack Kornfield tells about something lasting for 1000 kalpas – and each kalpa is as long as it takes for a bird dragging a silk scarf across a mountain to wear it away. In a Grimm’s Fairy Tale, recorded in 1812, the Shepherd’s Boy responds to the king’s third question about eternity with a description very similar to this, although the mountain is made of diamond and is in the land of Pomerania! So for this moment, welcome to fairy-tale time.
    ​
    Sharing Info: As far as I know, this song is free to share.

    Links: 
    Grimm's Fairy Tale: http://www.pinkmonkey.com/dl/library1/story139.pdf

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Mixolydian, 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!
  • Published on

    87. Born To Love

    1:1 (Unmetered) Accept Belonging Heal Love Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Echo Song Form: Unison Trust
    Song: Born To Love
    Music & Words by Gabrielle Mehlmann Gelfand
    Lyrics
    We knew love, before we were born.
    We know love, from the inside.
    We knew love, before we were born.
    And yet it takes a lifetime
    To really know.
    Picture
    Notes: This song floats and pulses, carrying me as singer into a spaciousness and warmth that feels like it could be a somatic knowledge of love. That's quite a statement to make for a song, no? And yet, it makes sense -- when we sing, we engage so much of our brains -- breathing, thinking, sensing vibration and sound -- that if we allow images and responses to come into our awareness, too, those images are rich and connected with all we have ever known.. Unusually for songs I share on this podcast, this one doesn't have a strict meter -- it is more fluid and shifting -- yet it has a stable, vibrant heart center. I'll be curious to know what this experience is like for you!

    Songwriter Info:  Gabrielle is passionate about music and its transformative and healing powers. She grew up singing and surrounded by music, and has sung and performed in many contexts; indie rock, choirs, musical theater, Cabaret, yoga studios, and singing circles. Gabrielle has hosted singing circles, sound ceremonies, and new moon circles. She currently lives in Seattle, and likes to catch songs while walking through the beautiful Pacific NorthWest forests.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share, please contact Gabrielle if you're planning to use it simply because it would be such a delight to know about it.

    Links: 
    Follow @sound__witch on Instagram to see what Gabrielle's up to,
    and/or check out her other songs at soundcloud.com/a_sound_witch.
    After this episode was released, Gabrielle released her (stunning) recording of Born to Love -- you can find it on Spotify here:     https://open.spotify.com/track/5lajK8FDZcyxszxC65x021?si=cfb68facf8eb4720 
    ​or on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErdGihQj-Bk 

    Nuts & Bolts: unmetered, major, echo

    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

    86. We Were Made for These Times

    12:8 Change Determination Empower Flex Friendship Gather Hope Journey Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Call & Response Song Form: Harmonized Trust
    Song: We Were Made for These Times
    Music by Angela Gabriel
    Text by Clarissa Pink Estés
    from "Letter to a Young Activist During Troubled Times"
    Lyrics
    Call: Don't lose heart,
    Response: Do not lose heart,
    Call: We were made for these times.
    Response: We were made for this.
    Together: Show your soul, it shines like gold in these dark times.

    Additional verses: Don't lose hope, Don't give up.


    Picture
    Notes: Angela Gabriel's gospel-infused setting of Clarissa Pink Estés' fierce words is enough to lift me out of bed into the January cold! You'll hear me play with adding my voice in the looper with different tonal qualities so it sounds like we're singing with a crowd... and then at the end, I'll invite you to sing it simply with me, as a heartfelt duet. Patty said her art for this episode is inspired by the images of boats and wood from the Clarissa Estés letter... "and the idea of standing together, so here are the trees, rooted and strong in all weather."
    * This song has had a significant evolution since I recorded it for this episode -- please catch the updates under the links with Angela's own recordings!

    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.

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

    Links: 
    Learn the updated version with Angela herself: https://youtu.be/kZfD7YbZJew?feature=shared
    Listen to the updated version: https://youtu.be/Rash_81HIhY?feature=shared
    Letter to a Young Activist by Clarissa Pinkola Estés: https://www.mavenproductions.com/letter-to-a-young-activist
    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

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:55
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:49

    Nuts & Bolts: 12:8, major, harmonized call & response

    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!