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    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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    242. Ribbon 19: Down to the River

    Cycles Earth Gentle Motion Ribbon Water

    The Sunday after this episode is released, July 26th, 2026, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us!

    Lyrics ​& Links to the original episodes for the songs in this ribbon.

    Image description

    176. An Open Heart

    by Scott Kalichstein

    travelled version (song 2)


    I'm gonna let life move me,

    I'm gonna let life stir me deep,

    I'm gonna let life wake me 

    from an ancient sleep.

    I'm gonna laugh all my laughter,

    I'm gonna cry all my tears.

    I'm gonna love the rain as deeply as

    the sun when it clears.


    Image description

    96. Beautiful Rain 

    with singer Rebecca Csuy

    mysterious origins

    Patricia wrote 2nd part


    Rain, rain, rain, rain, 

    beautiful rain.

    Rain, rain, rain, rain, 

    beautiful rain.

    Rain falling down on the plains,

    On the roofs of our towns,

    Beautiful rain.


    Rain, rain, rain, rain, 

    beautiful rain.

    Rain, rain, rain, rain, 

    beautiful rain.

    Rain falling down on the plains,

    Rooftop raindrops, 

    rooftop raindrops falling,

    Beautiful rain.


    Image description

    218. The River

    by Coco Love Alcorn


    Bass part:

    Dum t-ka dum dum dum k

    Dum t-ka dum dum dum k

    Dum t-ka dum dum dum dum

    Dum t-ka dum dum dum k


    Melody:

    1. The river is a healer, 

    the river is a sage.

    The river knows no end and 

    the river feels no age.

    The river is a leader 

    every single day,

    It's living in the moment and 

    it always finds a way.


    Chorus:

    Water heal my body, 

    water heal my soul.

    When I go down down to the water,

    by the water I feel whole.


    2. The river calls me over, 

    it's calling out my name

    In the day and in the night 

    I hear that river all the same.

    It's calling me over, 

    calling out my pain,

    oh a river gathers tears 

    just like a river gathers rain.


    3. The river is a traveller, 

    always on the go

    A river never worries 

    if it's fast or if it's slow

    River take me 

    to where I need to go,

    Oh and I will just relax 

    and let the river flow.

    Image description

    39. Stand In That River

    by Moira Smiley


    Chorus: 

    Come and stand in that river, 

    Current, gentle and slow,

    Send your troubles down water, 

    Down on that water flow.


    Verse: 

    When you stand in that river, 

    Angels sing in your head.

    Secrets beyond every worry. 

    Dreams beyond every dread.

    Image description

    176. An Open Heart

    by Scott Kalichstein

    original version


    I wanna let life touch me, 

    wanna let life move me deep, 

    Wanna let life stir me,

    from an ancient sleep.


    May I laugh all my laughter, 

    may I cry all my tears, 

    may I love the rain as deeply as the sun when it clears.


    Living my life with an open heart.

    Image description

    129. Inner Peace

    by Kate Valentine


    I am the deep peace I seek, 

    I am, I am,


    Look upon the rolling ocean

    Look above the sky unfolding

    All around the tide is turning

    Right here I am standing.



    

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    236. Road Trip: Earth and Sky with singer Judi Vinar

    4:4 Ancient Change Motion Nature Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Round

    Song: Earth and Sky

    Music by: Patricia Norton


    Song Learning Time Stamps:


    Start of teaching: 00:03:34

    Start of reprise: 00:27:12



    Lyrics:


    Earth and sky, wind and tide, dark and light --

    All is shifting.

    Sun and rain, stone and sand, hand in hand --

    It's a gift when


    All of us are changing,

    releasing, re-engaging,

    We're constant, courageous,

    We're ancient beings.

    (2x)

    Image description

    Notes: Singing a song of my own with my long-time mentor and vocal coach was a huge honor... and brought out some vulnerable moments around my own history of working with my voice. I also made some mistakes, which is funny, since I chose these words and notes myself... but can't always come up with them in the moment!!! But Judi and I have fun settling into this song about constant change -- hope you do, too!

     

    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:

    Judi Vinar –

    Email for newsletter: judivinar@gmail.com

    Website: https://www.judivinar.com/


    ABS episode: https://www.abreathofsong.com/p/53-wish-for-we


    Video of I Can See Clearly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXeY696gZW4


    Heather Houston: https://heatherhoustonmusic.com/

    (Heather on A Breath of Song: https://www.abreathofsong.com/p/75-easy-does-it-with-guest-heather-houston)


    Visual of Bryce Canyon from Rt 66: https://www.relaxednomad.com/grand-canyon-zion-bryce-canyon-route-66/


    Unity churches in Minneapolis area: https://www.unityminneapolis.org/


    Bobby McFerrin and Gimme 5/Voicestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX4UWy7X4SY

     

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, 2-part round

     

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  • Published on

    226. Life's Dance

    3:4 Be Present Cycles Dance Flow Gathering & Welcome Motion Night Play Praise & Wonder Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Layer
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:19
    Start time of reprise: 00:16:33
    Lyrics:

    Part 1:
    I/Come/We dance the circle of life,
    day into night into day,
    Into the center and out again,
    learning the steps on the way.

    Part 2:
    Come dance with me,
    singing all the way,
    Learning the steps along the way.
    Picture
    Song: Life's Dance
    Music by: Tarren van Ettinger

    Notes: This dance of a song loosens me up every time I sing it -- both with the original two parts from Tarren, and then I snuck a third part in when I was singing it on my looper, and I was having so much fun with it, I added it too! Learning the steps as we go -- in and out of the circle, day into night into day, confident, then confused, and back again -- I am grateful for the way this song makes a sweet dance of the whole kit & kaboodle!

    Songwriter Info: Tarren is an AuDHD, agender singer/songwriter from Davenport, IA, formerly from Alaska. They have been writing songs actively since 2015, when they wrote their first song at the Village Fire gathering in Decorah. They take inspiration from everything from literature to personal experiences. Tarren lives with their animal-trainer partner, a dog, bird and rabbit, and the occasional foster-critter.

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

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:19
    Start time of reprise: 00:16:33

    Links:
    Bandcamp: https://tarrenvanettinger.bandcamp.com
    Mastodon: https://musician.social/@tarrenvane 
    Discord: @tarrenvane 
    Email: tarrenvane@proton.me 

    Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, major, 3-parts

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  • Published on

    201. I Walk in Beauty

    3:4 Be Present Beauty Mantra Motion Notice Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Layer Song Form: Round Wisdom
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:55
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:21

    ​Lyrics:

    As I walk, as I walk,
    as I walk I walk with beauty

    Beauty it walks before me,
    beauty it walks behind me,
    beauty it walks below me,
    beauty it walks above me
    ​
    Beauty is on every side,
    as I walk I walk with beauty
    Picture
    Song: I Walk in Beauty
    Words by: traditional Navajo (Diné) blessing
    Music by: John Harrison

    Notes: John Harrison turned to the teachings of the Diné people, the Navajo, to help him find the awareness of the beauty that exists in our world alongside everything else. As we live in a complex time, beset with multiple crises, wisdom teachings that have survived complex, critical times are a resource. This episode was a challenge for me, as I ended up leaving it in the range that John gave it to me -- one best suited for tenors and sopranos, and requiring a little more opening and exploration for lower voices! I share a technique that helped me find my way, but you are also welcome to just drop it down into the lower part of your voice -- find a way that feels good to sing!

    Songwriter Info: John Harrison is a composer, choral director, singer, and voice teacher who has been performing professionally since he was a lad. He sings and teaches in a variety of styles that reflect his eclectic performing background in church music, rock bands, jazz combos, gospel choirs, musical comedy, and a few things that defy description. Currently he directs Rock City!, Vermont’s rock and soul chorus, in Barre VT; Reelin’ & Rockin’, a rock and roll choir for seniors in Montpelier VT; and is the emeritus director of the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir in Montpelier VT. He has taught teenagers and adults in workshops, camps and holidays through Village Harmony, Turtle Dove Harmony, Songways (UK), as well as on his own. He was a K-12 Vermont music educator for 10 years. His compositions have been performed and recorded by many community choirs in the US and the UK. John lives with his wife Scottie in Plainfield, VT.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact John for recording and/or performing permission.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:55
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:21

    Links:
    John's website: www.johnmarkharrison.com 
    More about Navajo (Diné) teaching of The Beauty Way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tZHIER3Jb4 

    Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, minor, round or 3-layer

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  • Published on

    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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