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  • Published on

    210. In This House with guests MaMuse

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:56
    Start time of reprise: 01:03:15
    Lyrics:

    In this house, we lead with love.
    In this house, we lift each other up.
    In this house, we learn to fly with the dove.
    Oh, this is the house we've been dreaming of.
    Oh, this is the house we've been dreaming of.
    So come on over (come on over),
    Welcome in (welcome in),
    Come on over (come on over).
    Let's be friends (let's be friends).
    Come on over (come on over).
    There is enough.
    Oh, this is the house we've been dreaming of.
    Oh, this is the house we've been dreaming of. 
    Picture
    Song: In This House
    Music by: Karisha Longaker of MaMuse

    Notes: Today we get “right in the river, totally listening, totally all in” with MaMuse, the duo of Sorah Nutting and Karisha Longaker, whose description of songcatching is what I just quoted. I came out of our conversation thinking about so many things -- how we see and appreciate those we love, kindness as our common wealth, danceable songs, being led by feeling and what's insanely fun, and especially house rules for how we be in the world... which comes from "In This House." I was singing harmony with them by the time we sang the song the second time, so you'll hear me making stuff up... partly because of the big, beautiful permission Karisha and Sorah give each other and us to celebrate creativity. I hope you feel that extra space and encouragement, too, after you sing with us!

    Songwriter Info: MaMuse (“Ma” as in Mamma; “Muse” as in the one who inspires) was born out of a collaboration between songwriters Karisha Longaker and Sorah Nutting. 2008 was a year of great alchemy. Fires erupted in Northern California, a great wind of inspiration blew through, catalyzing a series of songs written from the soil and rivers, ash and heat of Chico where these two musicians met.
    In the early days these troubadours toted instruments around town by bicycle and shared their songs at farmers markets, community gatherings, small cafes and festivals. Not too long after, these two voices became iconic to the Chico community, representing idyllic values of friendship, community, love for nature and care for Self and World. The love spread, sisterhood held strong through two decades of LIFE: children, relationships arriving and dissolving, making home in many new places. 
    MaMuse songs such as “We Shall Be Known” and “Hallelujah” have sprouted wings and are now sung at the bed sides of birthing mothers, round campfires, at weddings and funerals... All places where people are gathered to celebrate and to mourn. These are songs born of the Folk lineage; songs for all of us.

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

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:56
    Start time of reprise: 01:03:15

    Links:
    Show info, bookings and newsletter signup: www.mamuse.org 
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/mamusemusic 
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/MaMuseMusic 
    Patreon: www.patreon.com/mamuse
    Download and contribute to recorded music funds: mamuse.bandcamp.com 
    Song Village in Santa Cruz: https://www.songvillage.net/ 
    Kirtan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirtan 
    ReMuse: https://mamuse.bandcamp.com/album/remuse 
    Patrick/FunkPharm who produced ReMuse: https://www.instagram.com/funkpharm/ 
    Tidal as a subscription platform: https://tidal.com/ 
    Community Choir Leadership Training in Canada: https://www.communitychoirleadership.com/ 
    Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion duet competition October 2012: https://www.prairiehome.org/shows/47951.html 
    Arnaé Batson: https://www.eomega.org/people/arnae-batson 
    Scott Elliot Ferreter (guitar and bass): https://www.scottelliottferreter.com/ 
    Trying Time album: https://open.spotify.com/album/3BSIiZwg5MdqY6OuVLRMdR 
    Nathan Dittle (keyboard/piano): https://www.instagram.com/redbeardthecat/ 
    Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder: https://open.spotify.com/album/6YUCc2RiXcEKS9ibuZxjt0 
    Blue by Joni Mitchell: https://open.spotify.com/album/1vz94WpXDVYIEGja8cjFNa 
    Aimée Ringle – Human and Tender: https://aimeeringle.bandcamp.com/album/human-and-tender 
    A Breath of Song conversation with Aimée Ringle: https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/160-o-spirit-guide-me-to-those-i-need-with-guest-aimee-ringle#/ 
    Melanie DeMore: https://melaniedemore.com/ 
    A Breath of Song conversation with Melanie DeMore: https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/175-one-footlead-with-love-with-guest-melanie-demore#/ 

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, harmonized, call and echo

    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

    209. We Shall Be Known with Flow Singers

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Melody: 00:04:20
    High harmony: 00:07:16
    Low harmony: 00:11:34
    Whole song: 00:15:05
    Lyrics:

    We shall be known by the company we keep
    By the ones who circle round to tend these fires
    We shall be known by the ones who sow and reap
    The seeds of change alive from deep within the Earth
     
    It is time now
    It is time now that we thrive 
    It is time we lead ourselves into the well
    It is time now
    And what a time to be alive
    In this "Great Turning" we shall learn to lead in love
    In this "Great Turning" we shall learn to lead in love

    Picture
    Song: We Shall Be Known
    Music by: Karisha Longaker of MaMuse

    Notes: I could not be more delighted than to bring you this beloved song in a real-life song-sharing situation. My Flow Singing folk were singing "We Shall Be Known" for the third week -- so we simply recorded! You'll sing with them as they review the main melody, learn the upper harmony for the first time -- and then I inserted a quick teach of the low harmony -- and then we get to sing "in the room" with the Flow Singers, who were leaning into the song in such a beautiful way. I feel so lucky with the company I get to keep... and next week, I find myself in a Zoom room with Karisha Longaker and Sorah Nutting themselves, talking about the "insanely fun, incredibly connected" first years, and what it means in practical terms to "believe in kindness as our common wealth." 

    Songwriter Info: MaMuse (“Ma” as in Mamma; “Muse” as in the one who inspires) was born out of a collaboration between songwriters Karisha Longaker and Sorah Nutting. 2008 was a year of great alchemy. Fires erupted in Northern California, a great wind of inspiration blew through, catalyzing a series of songs written from the soil and rivers, ash and heat of Chico where these two musicians met.
    In the early days these troubadours toted instruments around town by bicycle and shared their songs at farmers markets, community gatherings, small cafes and festivals. Not too long after, these two voices became iconic to the Chico community, representing idyllic values of friendship, community, love for nature and care for Self and World. The love spread, sisterhood held strong through two decades of LIFE: children, relationships arriving and dissolving, making home in many new places. 
    MaMuse songs such as “We Shall Be Known” and “Hallelujah” have sprouted wings and are now sung at the bed sides of birthing mothers, round campfires, at weddings and funerals... All places where people are gathered to celebrate and to mourn. These are songs born of the Folk lineage; songs for all of us.

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

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Melody: 00:04:20
    High harmony: 00:07:16
    Low harmony: 00:11:34
    Whole song: 00:15:05

    Links:
    Show info, bookings and newsletter signup: www.mamuse.org
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/mamusemusic 
    Patreon: www.patreon.com/mamuse
    Download and contribute to recorded music funds: mamuse.bandcamp.com 
    Lisa Littlebird's page for We Shall Be Known: thebirdsings.com/we-shall-be-known/
    Burlington, VT Flow Singers: ​www.juneberrymusic.com/flow-singing.html

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, major, 3-part harmony

    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

    204. May the Way Open Before You with Guest Singers

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:29
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:05

    Lyrics:


    May the way open before you.
    May you see beyond darkness and light
    to the love you are;
    to the love you bring into the world.

    Picture
    Song: May the Way Open Before You
    Music by: Ana Hernández

    Guest singers:​ Sadie Jones, AJ Banach, Cameron Brownell, Rebecca Csuy

    Notes: Recording this was a complete treat, because I had four friends in the studio with me -- Rebecca Csuy, Cameron Brownell, AJ Banach, and Sadie Jones learned the song and loved it. AJ catches me when I make a note mistake in the harmony, which is fabulous -- friends who have your back! Next week, I have the privilege of talking with Ana and learning about her extensive background and why community singing matters to her... for now, please enjoy this, which she calls "a simple blessing," and her wish for everyone in the world.

    Songwriter Info: Ana Hernández is a composer, recording artist, retreat leader, and activist song leader creating and collecting tunes to build living and just communities through skillful action. A theomusicologist with NYS Poor People’s Campaign, Ana is also the author of The Sacred Art of Chant: Preparing to Practice (Skylight Paths/Turner Publishing).

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in public resistance actions and oral tradition groups. Please contact Ana for recording, streaming, or performing permission. 

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:29
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:05

    Links:
    Ana's website: https://anahernandez.org
    Ana's Patreon: www.patreon.com/anahernandez 
    Listen on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/in/artist/ana-hernandez/214582777 
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0NGPpe3jeQqHFeFArIqYEH 
    SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/anahermusic 
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-p9kisJu1ISLW7w6Wy2lVA 
    Also look for HARC (with Ruth Cunningham): https://anahernandez.org/album/inside-chants/ 
    The Miserable Offenders: https://anahernandez.org/album/keepin-the-baby-awake-music-for-advent-and-christmas/ 
    Eternal Spirit (w/ Sr. Helena Marie, CHS): https://anahernandez.org/album/eternal-spirit/ 
    Banquet of Love (w/ Ike Sturm and so many friends!): https://anahernandez.org/album/banquet-of-love/ 

    Nuts & Bolts: 6:8, major, 2-part harmony

    Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely:  https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share

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  • Published on

    186. The Riddle Song

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:20
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:08
    Lyrics:

    I gave my love a cherry that had no stone,
    I gave my love a chicken that had no bones,
    I told my love a story that had no end,
    I gave my love a baby with no crying.

    How can there be a cherry that has no stone?
    How can there be a chicken without no bones?
    How can there be a story that has no end?
    And show me, where's the baby with no crying?

    A cherry in the blossom, it has no stone.
    A chicken in the pippin, it has no bones.
    The story that I love you, it has no end...
    A baby, when it's sleeping, has no crying!

    Picture
    Song: The Riddle Song
    Music by: traditional

    Notes: I find myself feeling like we live in a bit of a riddle right now -- how can this impossible thing be so, and what will resolve it? I literally learned this song at my mother's knee... it's one of the earliest I remember singing, and I was so delighted by the riddle form! As a young teen, it was one of the first songs I learned on guitar. I sang it to kids I babysat in college, where I learned about the Child Ballads and Cecil Sharp's collecting in southern Appalachia. I sang it with my children, with our granddaughter -- and now I get to sing it with you! There's a through-line for a song.... what songs have travelled with you your whole life?

    Songwriter Info: Patricia was born in Boulder, CO, and is grateful to the burgeoning folk music scene that encouraged family music, which is how she learned this song.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:20
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:08

    Links:
    An intriguing discussion board about trad music: https://mudcat.org/
    An introduction to Child Ballads: https://folkways.si.edu/playlist/child-ballads 
    Text of Child Ballad #46 (which The Riddle Song is believed to have come from): https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch046.htm 
    The Cecil Sharp collection of The Riddle Song: https://archives.vwml.org/records/CJS2/9/2688 
    Doc Watson's recording: https://youtu.be/fRO6egtKipg?feature=shared 
    Carly Simon's recording: https://youtu.be/4O_Lu_khQDM?feature=shared 

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, strophic (3 verses)

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  • Published on

    181. Extraordinary Magic with singer Rebecca Csuy

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:35
    Start time of reprise: 00:15:14

    ​Lyrics:


    I see you, I hear you,
    I hold this space for you;
    and I am a witness
    to your extraordinary magic!

    (repeat 3x)

    I see you, I hear you,
    I hold this space for you;
    and I am a witness
    to the extraordinary magic in you!

    Picture
    Song: Extraordinary Magic
    Music by: Judy Tse

    Notes: Judy describes the act of witnessing beautifully -- and this song is one that feels so good to have echoing in my head as I practice holding space for other people... really being present and seeing them fully. That seems to get harder and harder as people get older and make choices we disagree with or are harmful. But wishing them well, looking for the extraordinary magic that is in them, even while being clear-sighted about behaviors -- while not always easy, it feels like a way of being I personally aspire to!

    Songwriter Info: Judy Tse participated in the A Breath of Song retreat in 2024! About this song, Judy says: "Being a witness to someone; really being present for a person by listening actively + not trying to fix or 'make better', is one of the greatest gifts one person can give another."

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Judy for recording and/or performing permission. (You can write Patricia at patricia@abreathofsong.com to be connected with Judy.)

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:35
    Start time of reprise: 00:15:14

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, unison or harmonized

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

    178. My Body

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:31
    Start time of reprise: 00:14:09
    Lyrics: 

    My body is fly
    My body is beautiful
    My body is bold
    My body is mine
    Picture
    Song: My Body
    Music by: Alexandra Sarton

    Notes: Singing this week brought me into my body in a joyful, appreciative way... our bodies, our existence are such miracles, and this song fully celebrates and owns this. For anyone who has ever felt ashamed of their body for any reason, this is a medicine song, a reclaiming, remembering song. Alexandra Sarton Love, who wrote it, has lived with alopecia since age 10, causing baldness. Maybe you're going through a medical treatment that makes it difficult to feel ownership of your own body? Maybe there's a relationship which leads to doubt about your body's beauty or validity? Maybe media or social gatherings has harmed your connection to your own body? Maybe you're a nursing mom? I don't know what you bring to this song... but I'm sooo glad you're bringing it!  Join me and you bring you, I'll bring me -- let's sing these words together!

    Songwriter Info: In 2011, Alexandra Love was inspired to assemble a 12-woman chorus to sing the harmonies she had written for her solo project, In Curses. She created a festival, The Festival of Light and Sound (April 2012), to debut this project and to bring Beautiful Chorus together for a one-time performance. The ladies practiced each week leading up to the album release. The festival was a huge success and after that night, Love decided to keep the project going. She booked tours for Beautiful Chorus around the country, hosted crystal singing bowl meditations w/ the ladies, lead vocal workshops and more. It was then that BC wrote + recorded songs, and have since become the most successful independent group of their kind. Fusing elements of electronic, choral, deep bass, hip hop and jazz, Beautiful Chorus is unlike any other. They have albums that span from wordless symphonies to full rhythmic songs, w/ sound healing frequencies and love-centered messages. They even have a wordless holiday album, a lullaby album, and a multitude of singable hymns and mantras. Beautiful Chorus is currently residing in Orlando, FL where they are developing a new live experience, hosting spiritual conversations, and preparing for their upcoming full album release, High Frequency Love Music, due out 7/26. Beautiful Chorus is currently made of Alexandra Love and four other members (Patty, Anisha, Yuki and Veronica).

    Sharing Info: When sharing in a money-making venture, like a workshop, class, or performance, please contact Beautiful Chorus for permission and rates.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:31
    Start time of reprise: 00:14:09

    Links:
    Beautiful Chorus website: https://www.beautifulchorus.com/ 
    Alexandra Love website: https://www.alexandra.love/

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Mixolydian, unison with optional harmony

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