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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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  • Published on

    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

     

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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

     

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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

    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

     

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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

     

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

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  • Published on

    240. What Have We Done with guest Kaitie Ty Warren

    4:4 Belonging Change Empower Gather Grieve Hope Justice Legacy Power & Change Scale: Ionian (Major) Shame Song Form: Layer Tend

    Song: What Have We Done

    Music by:  Kaitie Ty Warren


    Song Learning Time Stamps:


    Start of teaching: 00:03:18

    Start of reprise: 01:14:26



    Lyrics:


    What have we done?

    What have we done?

    What have we done?

    What can we do?


    And I fear we’ve gone so far, I fear we can’t get back to who we are, and who we are is simple: we remember we’re all one


    And I know there’s a story, waiting for me to write the ending



    Image description

    Notes: Kaitie and I talk about how we get to practice skills in singing that help us show up in full right size to help build the kind of culture we want to live in. This includes stories about cockroaches, childraising, computer-savvy friends... and Kaitie brings it all "earthside" by teaching this powerful layer song which is intimately connected with the South African song "Senzenina". We talk about cross-cultural connections, and how we try to continually update our learning -- what it is to be in right relationship, the illness of wetiko, how to be "other" in a non-inclusive dominant culture. If any of this sparks your curiosity, join us!

     

    Songwriter Info: Kaitie Ty Warren (any pronouns) grew up on Tongva and Ohlone lands, by the ocean and often dreams in fishes and songs. She is a songwriter, songleader, writer, collage artist, cartoonist, minister, and performing artist. She is the founder of Living Room Choir, Be Heard! Voice for Parkinson's, and East Bay Song Fest, all on Ohlone lands in the Bay Area CA. She has a background in theater and music. She goes by Mama to the most awesome little songleader. KaitieTyWarren.com for more; follow on Patreon and socials @KaitieTy.

     

    Sharing Info: Kaitie's songs are available for free to humans for the sole purpose of using it with their choir(s) and song circles. For commercial and for-profit uses, please contact Kaitie via LivingRoomChoir.com. This is not for AI training or use.

     

    Links:

    Where to find What Have We Done:

    https://livingroomchoir.com/what-have-we-done/

    https://www.patreon.com/kaitiety/posts/song-what-have-143827793

    https://kaitietywarren.bandcamp.com/track/what-have-we-done


    Living Room Choir's Instagram: www.instagram.com/livingroomchoir

    Living Room Choir's Website: LivingRoomChoir.com/song-library


    Kaitie's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kaitiety

    Kaitie's Website: https://kaitietywarren.com/

    Kaitie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitietywarren/

     

    Senzenina – The Joy covering it: https://youtu.be/0ye19cENvY4?si=okLZ6YrsQrXwHJb4

    Vukani Mowethu South African choir in Oakland: https://www.vukani.com/

    Kele Nitoto: https://www.instagram.com/kelenitoto/

    Ahimsa – concept of non-violence: https://www.britannica.com/topic/ahimsa

    Heather Houston retreats: https://heatherhoustonmusic.com/retreats-old/

    Laura Sandage: https://www.lauraschapel.com/

    “I Am” by Tom Shadyac (available on Netflix) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_(2010_American_documentary_film)

    Wetiko: Algonquin term for a cannibalistic spirit that is driven by greed, excess and selfish consumption (in Ojibwe it is windigo, wintiko in Powhatan) - https://www.lapishealingarts.com/lapidary-blog/wetiko-and-the-collective-dark-night-of-the-soul

    East Bay Songfest April 16-18, 2027: https://eastbaysongfest.com/

     

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, layer, major

     

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