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    186. The Riddle Song

    4:4 Generations Gentle Love Lullaby Play Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Unison
    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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    176. An Open Heart

    3 Layer 4:4 Be Present Heart Love Motion Open Rain Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Layer Song Form: Unison Sun Trust
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching, song 1: 00:04:26
    Start time of teaching, song 2: 00:08:51
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:16
    Lyrics:

    Original:
    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.

    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.
    Picture
    Song: An Open Heart/Gonna Let Life Move Me
    Music by: Scott Grace

    Notes: Learning songs in an oral tradition can be a little like playing telephone, as they take on a life of their own, responding to the people singing them, growing, evolving... I learned "Gonna Let Life Move Me" in a song circle, and loved it. Eventually, I wanted to share it with my Pocket Song singers. So I tried to find out who had written it, so I could ask their permission/blessing and send some financial exchange their way.... and it took a quite a bit of searching before I turned up Scott Grace (Kalechstein)'s original song. This one had shifted quite a bit, so I got in touch with Scott directly to ask how he felt about the changes... I quote his generous answer directly in the episode. Enjoy two songs this week, and see which one lands for you!

    Songwriter Info:
    WARNING:  Scott Grace, who has been described as a cross between John Denver, Robin Williams and Dr. Seuss, is wanted by the authorities for creating the peace, as well as defying the law of gravity with levity.
    Contact with Scott is likely to be hazardous to your misery, as he has provoked outbreaks of joy in four out of five laboratory humans. 
    It is alleged that Scott’s work has so threatened to cut into the sales of anti-depressants that pharmaceutical companies have offered him millions to retire. 
    Scott gives keynotes using a stolen identity, a.k.a. the Spiritual Dr. Seuss. His feel-good viruses on YouTube have infected over 2.5 million people with just four of his Seussian videos.
    Scott has been known to practice life coaching without a license, eluding the police by working over the phone, Zoom, or FaceTime. He fancies himself an intuitive, and smuggles wisdom and guidance over the border from beings he calls spirit guides, who are also not licensed, and who have allegedly not filed a tax return in several lifetimes.
    As a front, Scott does do various legal, above the board activities. He has written four books, his latest being Mindful Masculinity.
    Scott also has recorded nine CD’s (remember CD’s?) of his original music. He presents as an inspirational guest speaker and singer at churches, non-profits, schools, and corporate events. As an occasional stand-up comedian in the Bay Area, he has shared the stage with Dana Carvey and Robin Williams. 
    But don’t be fooled. His rampage of Song Portraits, custom-made personalized song-gifts that honor people for their birthdays, anniversaries, or for no reason at all, have been killing people softly with their song since 1987.
    Authorities would very much like your help in apprehending Scott. Try catching him on the web at https://www.scottsongs.com, or on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/skalechstein

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Scott for recording and/or performing permission. Scott says, "This song is my deepest prayer from my heart of hearts."

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching, song 1: 00:04:26
    Start time of teaching, song 2: 00:08:51
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:16

    Links:
    Scott's website: https://www.scottsongs.com 
    Scott's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/skalechstein

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor, 3 layer or unison

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    163. Radiate

    4:4 Determination Dreams Empower Journey Light Motion Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Unison Trust
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:03
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:57
    ​Lyrics:

    When I see me,
    I am standing in my light.
    I will be me
    when I’m standing in my light.

    And if it’s blinding,
    I’ll keep climbing
    ​oh so high
    and just keep going
    toward my knowing
    till I find:
    I radiate.
    Picture
    Song: Radiate
    Music by: Lisa Piccirillo

    Notes: Going epic this week -- we learn the chorus to Lisa Piccirillo's song, Radiate, with just me and the piano...and then when we're feeling solid, blow our socks off by singing along with her huge soundtrack! If you love the song, then there are links to find it in Bandcamp, etc, just below! I particularly love the way the word "radiate" is the most intimate in the entire chorus -- it feels like a world of confidence and self-connection right there... Enjoy -- I certainly did!!

    Songwriter Info: Lisa Piccirillo almost gave up on songwriting, but the muse wouldn’t let her. The inspiration for her latest record came to her as a vision: the silhouette of a woman, backlit by the sun, alongside the word RADIATE. Fueled by this idea and the desire to reclaim her creative identity, Lisa devoted herself to daily songwriting sessions at sunrise and the new record was born. An unapologetically loud follow-up to her mellow and folky 2008 debut (momentum), RADIATE chronicles Lisa’s vast emotional landscape with her signature blend of vulnerable songwriting and powerhouse vocals.

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

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:03
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:57

    Links:
    Website: www.lisapmusic.com
    Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lisapiccirillo
    Tickets for Radiate Release Event Oct 19th 2024: https://tinyurl.com/48t8dna7
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7GJmGSN3Era6CJspcpMMY4?si=PFoGHPmUTQOVLYSJv0UlNg
    Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lisa-piccirillo/289758509
    Bandcamp: https://lisapiccirillo.bandcamp.com/
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisapiccirillo
    YouTube: www.youtube.com/lisapmusic
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/lisapmusic

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, unison

    Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely:
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    160. (O Spirit) Guide Me to Those I Need with guest Aimée Ringle

    4:4 Chant Hope Journey Listen Love Prayer Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Unison Songwriter Conversation Trust Wisdom
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:53
    Start time of reprise: 01:34:28

    ​Lyrics:

    O Spirit, guide me to those I need.
    Guide me to those who need me.
    I follow where You lead.
    Picture
    Song: (O Spirit) Guide Me to Those I Need
    Music by: Aimée Ringle

    Notes: If you've run across Aimée Ringle's work, you know her wicked musical skills, her exuberant, high-energy presence, her huge heart and desire to be of service... and you may not yet know how she grew into her voice, the questions she asks herself around how best to contribute to songcircles, her deep desire for village community, and questions about how to make that real in the here and now. We dig a little into one of the hard conversations in songcircles or any group situation where people bring varying skill levels -- how can people of varying skill levels feel welcome and find space and satisfaction as they are? We talk about what Aimée finds she needs to be able to let songs come through and more! Aimée shares the story of how O Spirit came through and we sing it both with guitar and in an up-close and personal way. It's a big episode because we let our conversation spread out, enjoying the end of summer and a sense of expansiveness. I hope you, too, find that pleasure of connection when you join us.

    Songwriter Info: Aimée Ringle is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, song-leader, and storyteller. She has an invigorating teaching style that is enriched by her capable percussion and guitar skills. Aimée’s work as a song-leader and storyteller have woven her into an ever widening community of cultural shifters around the country in the realms of sustainable agriculture, alternative education, community living, healing, creativity, and spiritual exploration ~ all of which are reflected in the songs she carries. As a song-leader, Aimée’s work and example have become a valued part of several Ancestral skills gatherings including Winter Count, Spirit Weavers and Sharpening Stone.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Aimée for recording and/or performing permission. She says: "For now, the song is just the chorus, but I am paying attention to its evolution and leaving space for the possibility of verses, etc. But this will not be a group process and I'm not inviting unsolicited creative ideas in this process."

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:53
    Start time of reprise: 01:34:28

    Links:
    Aimée's website: www.aimeeringlemusic.com 
    Aimée's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AiméeRingle
    Aimée's O Spirit video on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8wzISTpTsh
    Aimée's Bandcamp: https://aimeeringle.bandcamp.com
    Earth Practice: https://www.instagram.com/earthpracticemusic/
    Tone Home by Elijah Ray: https://soundcloud.com/entheo/tone-home?in=l29rjc61w9os/sets/the-upload-1
    I'm My Own Walkman by Bobby McFerrin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8DUi9RCTiQ
    Samara Jade: https://www.instagram.com/samara_jade_music/
    Three Wheels Turning: https://threewheelsturning.com/
    "We are what we repeatedly do." Aristotle interpreted by Will Durant: https://blogs.umb.edu/quoteunquote/2012/05/08/its-a-much-more-effective-quotation-to-attribute-it-to-aristotle-rather-than-to-will-durant/
    The Sharpening Stone: https://www.instagram.com/thesharpeningstone/
    Laurence Cole: https://www.laurencecole.com/
    Liz Rog: https://www.facebook.com/liz.rog1/
    Shireen Amini: https://shireenamini.com/music
    Song Village: https://www.songvillage.net/
    Emergent Strategy and Holding Change by Adrienne Maree Brown: https://adriennemareebrown.net/book/emergent-strategy/, https://adriennemareebrown.net/book/holding-change-2/
    Billie Eilish: https://www.instagram.com/billieeilish/
    Ganavya: https://www.instagram.com/ganavya 

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Aeolian, unison chant

    Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely:
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    149. May My Tears Water a Sapling

    3:4 Breathe Change Earth Flow Grow Heal Moon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Unison Song Form: Unison With Separate Harmony Line Sun Trees Water
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:48
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:20

    ​Lyrics:

    May my tears water a sapling,
    May my life support its growth,
    May I walk with care and healing
    for new life upon the earth.

    May our breath move with the Spirit,
    flowing free around the earth,
    May we listen to the sunshine,
    and feel the moon reflect our worth.

    (based on the last line of a poem
    ​"Not Our Trees" by Laura Weber)
    Picture
    Song: May My Tears Water a Sapling
    Music by: Mary L. Cohen

    ​Notes: Mary Cohen's huge heart and willingness to do big work in the world shines through in this song, with lyrics sparked by the 2020 midwestern derecho with devastated so many trees. When we talk in next week's songwriter conversation, the depth of Mary's passion for how singing can support and feed change is evident. I hope you can join us as we explore the US prison-industrial complex and music, the role of mentorship, and how self-care can adapt. In this episode, I invite you to experiment a bit, finding musical touchstones as a way into harmonizing. In the links, you'll find several different arrangement/performances you can listen to for other harmonizing ideas, if that's up your alley.

    Songwriter Info: Mary L. Cohen, Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Iowa, is lead author of Music-Making in U.S. Prisons: Listening to Incarcerated Voices (2022). She co-founded the International Music and Justice Network: IMAJIN Caring Communities, a group of researchers from 18 countries who study music-making in prisons, and you are welcome to join by contacting Mary to get on the group email list (mary-cohen@uiowa.edu). From 2009 to 2020 she led the Oakdale Community Choir with incarcerated and non-incarcerated participants where participants have written over 150 songs, and the Oakdale Choir performed over 75 of these songs, available with the Creative Commons License. To continue working toward the choir’s goals of building communities of caring through singing and songwriting, she founded the Inside Outside Songwriting Collaboration Project where partnerships between incarcerated and non-incarcerated songwriters create original songs, build relationships, and learn about transformative and generative justice. She has been a keynote for conferences in Germany, Canada, and Portugal, interviewed by the BBC3 Music Matters, and has over 40 publications in journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. She leads weekly music groups inside the Juvenile Detention Center of Linn County.
    ​
    Sharing Info:     The song is free to share, and Mary welcomes networking support and invites you to further your education and activism regarding environmental justice, restorative/transformative/generative justice, and simply acting with kindness to all you encounter.
    ​
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:48
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:20

    Links: 
    Oakdale Community Choir website: https://oakdalechoir.lib.uiowa.edu/
    "Not Our Trees" by Laura Weber: https://prairiewoods.org/not-our-trees/
    Outside singers (non-incarcerated choir members) from the Oakdale Community Choir (now disbanded because the current warden will not allow it to restart) performed "May My Tears Water a Sapling" at the Anne Frank Tree Planting Ceremony from April 29, 2022, on the University of Iowa Pentacrest. You can see this performance that begins with a powerful spoken word piece by Jhe Russell at 1:14 on this YouTube video.

    Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, Major, unison with optional harmonies

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  • Published on

    146. Begin Again

    4:4 Accept Be Present Breathe Earth Flow Heal Home Journey Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Unison Song Form: Unison With Separate Harmony Line Tend
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:45
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:57

    Lyrics:
    ​
    I begin again with my breath,
    joining earth,
    earth and spirit.
    I return again to my breath,
    ​walking home the unknown path.
    Picture
    Song: Begin Again
    Music by: Jean Farmer

    ​Notes: Jean Farmer's song was just right for me this week, as some old wounds were reopened. I was frustrated with myself -- I didn't want to have to heal again. This song helped me find the kindness and willingness to start over, connecting with this breath and the earth. Jean said I could harmonize at will -- so I give you four different ways -- a simple echo, a descant, and then a 3-part harmony with part above and below and some different sounds, and of course, the unadorned song so you can play or enjoy joining your voice with mine. I'm so glad we're singing together!

    Songwriter Info: Jean Farmer has experienced the joy of singing in community from her earliest days, often singing with her sisters as a child and later leading songs around the campfire. She was a registered nurse for 35 years. Since retiring from Nursing, songs have been coming through her, often in the middle of the night. This opening to welcome the songs is a spiritual practice: a path to centering, a form of self-expression, and a way to create and build community. She often sings at labyrinth walks and other contemplative gatherings in Northern California with her singing partner Robin O'Brien in a group called Notan.
    ​
    Sharing Info:     The song is free to share in oral tradition groups. Please credit Jean Farmer as the author. Please contact Jean for recording and or performing permission. (jeanwfarmer@gmail.com)
    ​
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:45
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:57

    Links: 
    Notan Bandcamp: https://notan.bandcamp.com/album/mother-tree
    Notan website: https://notan.org/

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

    Join the A Breath of Song Mailing list
    (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share)  to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar
    (https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html) (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!