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    251. I Will Face the Light/Dark

    4:4 Accept Be Present Belonging Breathe Cycles Darkness Gentle Harmonized Heal Light Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Unison Strength

    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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    248. Soften

    6:8 Acceptance Sing Be Present Belonging Breathe Calm Gentle Release Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Layer

    Song: Soften

    Music by: Patricia Norton


    Song Learning Time Stamps:

    Start of teaching: 00:03:40

    Start of reprise: 00:16:45



    Lyrics:


    Lay it down, let it go.

    Soften all the holding.


    Soft and tender is fierce

    and strong.

    Knowing here is where

    we belong.


    Hano, hano.... here.


    Image description

    Notes: I caught this song more than a year ago, but it's been back in my brain, claiming space and being a helpmeet -- so I thought I'd share it with you. A reminder to release, to be present -- and that in that very softness is a fierce strength and belonging to help meet whatever moment you're in. 

     

    Songwriter Info: You can find out more about me in general here: https://www.juneberrymusic.com/about-patricia.html

    Or the whole team that puts this podcast out here: https://www.abreathofsong.com/about.html


    Sharing Info: Feel free to sing this song yourself and with your friends and family as often as you please! If you are using this song in a way that is making money for you, please contribute to the A Breath of Song gratitude jar at https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar, and/or send me a note letting me know how the song is helping you, so the song brings us into relationship. Thank you!

     

    Links:

    Flow Singing: https://www.juneberrymusic.com/flow-singing.html

    All of what I'm up to: https://www.juneberrymusic.com/

    Kindred Voices Retreat: https://kindredvoicesretreat.com

     

    Nuts & Bolts: 12:8, major, 3 part

     

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    247. Journey Far

    2:2 Belonging Earth Freedom Grow Heal Journey Love Nature Scale: Minor Song Form: Layer

    Song: Journey Far

    Music by:  Kate Sutherland


    Song Learning Time Stamps:

    Start of teaching: 00:03:04

    Start of reprise: 00:16:50



    Lyrics:


    Journey Far

    Climb that mountain

    Cross that desert

    Swim the ocean wide


    Take your love

    to the unknown,

    to where you’ll be

    on the other side


    Take your love

    through the unknown,

    to who you’ll be

    on the other side


    Image description

    Notes: Kate Sutherland knows how to send people out on a heroic journey -- this song is a staunch supporter and reminder of the love that is carried through a challenging time, whether you sing it to yourself or another loved one. Unusually, I give a little bit of structural things to listen for before teaching so you can see if that helps you internalize the song more quickly. The reprise is a slightly different feel than the original teaching -- same melody, same rhythm -- see what you think!

     

    Songwriter Info: Kate is a multi-creative who feels alive when writing songs and leading community song circles, (re)uniting folks with their creative passions, making art out of the everyday, moving her body, belly laughing and standing in wonder of the natural world. She is a prolific recording artist, song-prayer activist, and warrior for love. She holds black belts in Judo and Kung Fu.


    Kate co-facilitates deep nature connection retreats (Wild Belonging), willow basket and song weaving workshops (Willow Song), and community singing and song writing retreats (Braided River) throughout the year for folks looking to deepen their connection to song and the natural world.

     

    Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share. This is Kate's part in preventing any blocks to the movement of the song getting to where it needs to go and reaching the ears of those who might benefit from it. AND she always welcome financial and/or networking support when folks are in a position to do so. Your contributions not only support Kate in her continued creation of medicine songs, it also energetically feeds the song itself AND the powerful movement as a whole, to bring more light, love and healing into our beautiful world.

     

    Links:

    To listen to Kate's music, purchase albums, learn about song & deep nature connection workshops at my website: https://www.katesutherland.ca


    Instagram: @katesutherlandsongs


    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KateSutherland


    Patreon (bonus material & mentoring):

    https://www.patreon.com/c/KateSutherlandSongs

     

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, minor, 2-layers each harmonized

     

    Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely:

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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

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    244. I Am Listening with guest singers

    4:4 Be Present Belonging Empower Harmony Heart Journey Scale: Minor Song Form: Unison

    Song: I Am Listening

    Music by:  Jordan Mudd


    Song Learning Time Stamps:

    Start of teaching: 00:04:01

    Start of reprise: 00:18:27



    Lyrics:


    I am listening

    to what is calling for me


    I am deepening

    into all I can be


    I am listening

    to what is calling for me


    And I won't turn my back on what my heart is

    longing to reach for


    I will let it lead


    Image description

    Notes: Recording this episode was sheer joy -- I was with a community of vocal improvisors at Back to the Well at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY (see shownotes for links to participate next year!) -- and I shared Jordan's song with a small group of us who were free one afternoon. Please sing with us, letting the song sink in and sing inside you in whatever way is just right today. I love the way this song remembers me into Howard Thurman quote: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

     

    Songwriter Info: Jordan Mudd is a songleader, vocal coach, grief tender, and ritualist based in Boston, MA. He co-founded Boston-Area Singing Circles in 2023, where he leads regular community singing gatherings combining oral tradition songs, vocal improv, and ritual, as well as training workshops for aspiring songleaders. He has been catching & leading songs for a decade, and is committed to using song as a tool for personal, collective, and spiritual liberation.

     

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

     

    SINGERS:

    Laurie Ellington -- suspensionbridgejazz.com

    Suzzette Ortiz -- suzzetteortiz.com

    Eileen Webb -- IG: @leenwebb

    Linnea Dolf -- IG:@linneasings

    Patti Shaffner -- jazzdakini.com

    Roy Willey -- voicecirclecolorado.com

    Giovanna (Gio) Velino -- IG:@giovanna.velino

    Rosi Amador -- IG:@rosiamadorlala

    Onome -- onome.org IG: @onome.om

    Paola Faoro -- IG: @circlesingingboston_jp

    TatiAnah Thunberg -- vocalwilds.com

    Carisa Wilder 


    Links:

    Back to the Well workshop: https://rhiannonmusic.com/omega-2026

    Listen to and purchase Jordan's music on bandcamp: https://jordanmuddsings.bandcamp.com/

    Learn more about Jordan's work at www.jordanmudd.com

    Learn more about the singing community Jordan stewards at www.bostonareasingingcircles.com

    Learn more about songleader training with Jordan + milly roberts: https://www.bostonareasingingcircles.com/songleading-intensive


    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor, unison with optional harmonies

     

    Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely:

    https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share

     

    Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support.

    https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

  • Published on

    243. Mountain River

    4:4 Beauty Belonging Earth Flow Light Love Motion Scale: Minor Song Form: Round

    Song: Mountain River

    Music by:  Kjersten Hallin


    Song Learning Time Stamps:


    Start of teaching: 00:03:19

    Start of reprise: 00:22:16



    Lyrics:


    Love flowing like

    a mountain river

    Above and below

    Without, within

    We mirror the light

    Glowing from the sun

    and the stars

    So let it be known:

    We are here to be who we are (back to the top)


    (Undercurrent)

    Love Flow, Light Glow


    Image description

    Notes: I absolutely adore the way this song embodies a river by having a low, slow undercurrent that lasts longer than the bubbling, swirling upper layer -- and the two layers sound different on top of each other in different places. As I sing it, I can feel into being the light sparkle on top and the dark fertile below... both needed. Which part calls to you to sing today?

     

    Songwriter Info:

    Kjersten Hallin (Pronounced Shares-ten Ha-leen) is a Community Song Weaver, Artist and Beauty Activist, Grief Tender, Earth Steward, Producer of Cascadia Song Rise, Eco-Edutainer and Youth Outreach Specialist. Kjersten is of Swedish/Norwegian ancestry, born on Lakota/Anishnaabe land (Minneapolis, Minnesota) and currently living/singing/practicing in the unceded Kalapuyan homelands of Champinefu (Corvallis, Oregon).


    Kjersten’s songs spring from an intimate relationship with the beauty of the living world and her/their name literally translates to “Love Stone”. Attuning and tending to the aliveness of all beings, seen and unseen, past-present-future, human and more-than-human, is at the core of Kjersten’s work and purpose. She/They believes that songs themselves are living beings that are fed by our singing.


    Kjersten leads monthly CommUnity BlesSings song circles and Community Grief Rituals in Champinefu/Corvallis, produces an annual song gathering in the Cascadia Bioregion, offers musical climate action presentations to local schools and youth groups, tends to several gardens and two grown children, and makes art and beauty of all kinds, walking humbly and gently on this precious planet.


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

     

    Links:

    Kjersten's Music: https://kjerstenhallin.bandcamp.com/music

    Kjersten's GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-the-songs-and-love-flowing-in-corvallis

    Kjersten's Instagram: @kj_creatrix https://www.instagram.com/kj_creatrix

    Eco-Edutainment: https://nofoodleftbehindcorvallis.org/videos/

     

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor, 2-part round with different length parts

     

    Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely:

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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

  • Published on

    241. Sing Your Roots with guest singers

    3:4 Be Grateful Belonging Calm Earth Heal Nature Roots Scale: Minor Song Form: Round

    Song: Sing Your Roots

    Music by:  Eileen Hazel


    Song Learning Time Stamps:

    Start of teaching: 00:02:44

    Start of reprise: 00:13:13


    Guest Singers: Becky Peterson, Karen Chickering, Molly Moerdyk


    Lyrics:


    Sing your roots into the soil, deep within the earth


    Sing of sea and sky and land, all that gave you birth


    Sing a song of earthly praise,

    sing it to the stars


    Sing your truest inner song, remember who you are




    Image description

    Notes: There's a slightly strange sound quality in this one, as something weird was going on with my mic when recording... maybe we were so rooted and grounded singing this that we changed the electricity in the room?! I invited three friends over to sing Eileen's round with me, and a little delightful chaos ensued... pick a place to start singing the song, with one of us or in between us, and see what happens. I wonder how we would all be if we felt that sense of deep rootedness, combined with a rise to the stars?

     

    Songwriter Info: After many years of singing, composing, and performing, Elieen discovered her deepest love in community singing. The joy and deep connection found in singing together deeply fed her soul. Since 2023, Elieen has been facilitating community song circles in the East Bay. She especially loves co-facilitating with other song leaders and cultivating spaces that feel joyful, welcoming, and harmonious. In the last few years, Eileen's connection to the Muse has opened in new ways. The songs flowing through her are now largely created for community singing—meant to be shared, experienced, and sung together. The songs she creates emanate from a place of spirit, drawing inspiration from her profound connection to the natural world, and to our communities. Visit her website (eileenhazel.com) to see what’s coming up.

     

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

     

    Links:

    Eileen's Website: eileenhazel.com

    Bandcamp to buy music: https://eileenhazel.bandcamp.com/.

    More music on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/eileen-hazel

    Eileen's own recording of Sing Your Roots: https://soundcloud.com/eileen-hazel/sing-your-roots

     

    Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, minor, round

     

    Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely:

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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