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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

     

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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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    225. Walk Me Home with guest Una McCann

    4:4 Earth Gratitude & Trust Home Journey Light Moon Protection & Presence Safe Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized Trust Wind
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:05:32
    Start time of reprise: 01:28:35
    Lyrics:

    ​Oh wind blow away the doubt circling around my head instead
    Let me know the blessing of my feet upon the ground

    [Chorus:]
    (And) walk me home, 
    (And) walk me home, 
    (And) walk me home again

    (And) walk me home, 
    (And) walk me home, 
    (And) walk me home again
    .................
    Oh moon shine a silver light illuminating all that I would hide 
    Guide me through the shadows, trusting in the steps before me 

    [Chorus]
    .................
    Over and over, your touch at my shoulder, guiding me homeward again
    .................
    Oh mountain, be kind to me, shelter me from storms that would arise, wise and silent, you show me how to follow through

    [Chorus]
    Picture
    Song: Walk Me Home
    Music by: Una McCann

    Notes: What do you do with anger? Can you set shame gently aside so you can get out of the way of what's coming through you and wants to be voiced? How do you move through times of doubt and grief to do what you are called to do? Una shares with us a beautiful song companion for walking each other home, and we explore these questions and so, so much more in this extended conversation. 

    Songwriter Info:
    Una McCann is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland where she works as a choir leader and songwriter.  She has been leading groups in harmony since her school days and has been working with adult choirs for 15 years.  
    Una is a proud and active member of the UK Charity The Natural Voice Network, and works in line with the principle that we are all born to sing.  She is passionate about the power of song and creativity to transform lives.
    Song writing is a part of life that sustains and supports Una.  She writes melodies and words that she needs to hear in that moment and is always delighted when they resonate with other people too.  
    In her spare time, Una enjoys running singing holidays and retreats.

    Sharing Info: Una says: "Please sing these songs; they were born to be sung. If you make money through singing the songs and would like to support me in my work as a song carrier, please purchase songs through my website or drop me an email for more options."

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:05:32
    Start time of reprise: 01:28:35

    Links:
    Website: www.unamccann.org
    Facebook: Una McCann Music
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unamccann47/ 
    Rhiannon: https://rhiannonmusic.com/home 
    Earthsong camps with John Bowker: https://www.earthsong.ie/about-earthsong
    A note in sand or water: https://youtu.be/-CZlrgq8syE?si=VzijHkmvxuPUJ7MD 
    The first song Una remembers singing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QfXXj8RoPk&t=32s 
    Stéphane Grappelli – musicians of the eyes and musicians of the ears: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St%C3%A9phane_Grappelli
    Una’s Soundcloud – Henrietta!: https://soundcloud.com/unamccann/henrietta 
    Tara Brach – teachings of kindness and wellbeing: https://www.tarabrach.com/ 
    Natural Voices Network: https://www.naturalvoice.net/ 
    Indigo Girls: https://www.indigogirls.com/ 
    The Roches: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Roches 
    Airplane: https://youtu.be/MhVcbRldEfs?si=rubOOaeZ2S8lXF-a (from the Indigo Girls 1992 “Rites of Passage” album – my gift to Una was finding the song she loved!)
    Gamelan instrument: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamelan 

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, harmonized (intriguingly, it starts with a descending Phrygian scale...)

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    221. Heading Home

    4:4 Birds Farewell Home Journey Light Moon Night Protection & Presence Rest Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized Sun
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:04
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:29
    Lyrics:

    Home, we're heading home,
    Home, we're heading home,
    With an ache in my bones, and a song in my heart
    Home, we're heading home.

    Verse: 
    The birds have paused their singing, and the day is almost done.
    The moon reflects a gentle light, and silences the sun.
    And now I'm called to my place of rest, where I close my eyes to the night,
    And lay my head, before I'll wake in the morning light.
    Picture
    Song: Heading Home
    Music by: Ben & Dom

    Notes: I read a commentary by Ailey Jolie, saying, "You cannot breathe your way out of patriarchy." She was observing that regulating the body's emergency responses is good to do as a way of caring for ourselves -- but not if it means simply increasing our ability to tolerate a situation that is causing our bodies to cry "emergency." We need to breathe and steady ourselves, as this song of Ben & Dom's does so beautifully -- and the reason is to bring ourselves even more fully into the present, ready to respond effectively to what actually is because we have the capacity to look directly at what is not working. So let this song bring you home to yourself -- whole, rested, and ready.

    Songwriter Info: Ben & Dom are a singing duo, weaving their voices around songs old and new. Ben takes the high notes and Dom takes the low notes (most of the time). Their lyrics touch on friendship, nature and what it means for two men to sing together in this modern day. 

    Sharing Info: Ben & Dom say: "We would love this song to be sung and shared in any circle. It is a parting song suitable for lots of different situations and occasions. If you feel like you want to share the song we have sheet music and teaching tracks available on our website. There is a tiered pricing structure to suit groups of different sizes and setups. If the cost is any kind of challenge for you then please be in touch and we can send you the materials free of charge. "

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:04
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:29

    Links:
    Ben & Dom's website: www.BenAndDom.com
    Ben & Dom's Bandcamp: https://benanddom.bandcamp.com
    Buy score for Heading Home: https://benanddom.bandcamp.com/ 
    Essay of Ailey Jolie: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16LcZ7iR43/ 

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, 3-part harmony

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    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.
    Picture
    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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    187. Where Am I Going To?

    3 Layer 4:4 Breathe Flow Journey Motion Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Layer Song Form: Round Uptempo Water
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:19
    Start time of reprise: 00:11:40

    ​Lyrics:

    Where am I going to, what am I walking toward?

    I'm gonna breathe

    Into the flow, flow, flowing.
    Picture
    Song: Where Am I Going To?
    Music by: Patricia Norton

    Notes: I heard adrienne maree brown describe humans as "bags of water" -- humans on average are around 60% water.... like a delta, or the land around a pond or river with its banks, or a bathtub and its water pipes -- we are a way of shaping water -- we are, literally, a flow. This song was born in motion, the kind of walking where the rhythm of your steps and breath becomes the soundscape, and you can release everything else, dropping into the flow.

    Songwriter Info: Patricia loves to walk fast from one spring wildflower to the next -- averages out to a stroll! 

    Sharing Info: Please share freely, and let people know about A Breath of Song when you do.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:19
    Start time of reprise: 00:11:40

    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: 4:4, major, round or 3 layers

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