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  • Published on

    102. When You Make Beauty

    Song: When You Make Beauty
    ​Music: Mo Washburn
    Lyrics

    when you make beauty
    when you make beauty with your mouth
    when you make beauty
    when you make beauty with your mouth

    i feel
    i feel the holy
    i feel the holy being fed
    i feel
    i feel the holy
    i feel the holy being fed
    Picture
    NotesMo Washburn is a somatic healer, among other wonderful things, and this song brings me into intimate, joyful, aware-of-miracles kind of connection with my own body. I love the way singing the words "my mouth" pulls me into awareness of the physicality of singing; I love thinking about what it means to feed the holy... what is the holy, really? What does it mean to feed it, to grow what is holy? The close harmonies feel like I'm being held in the song... and the way it gathers urgency around the words, "the holy being fed" by pushing ahead rhythmically feels so good to me. Here's a song I can lean on!

    Take two! I am updating this recording, based on some feedback from Mo -- I had messed up a rhythm (on the "-ty" of "beauty") and a note (on the "-ing" of "being") -- and it didn't feel like an accurate share of the song -- so as of June 4, 2023, it's updated to more accurately reflect what Mo hears... and I promise that when/if Mo records it, there'll be a link in the shownotes, so you can get the real deal!

    Songwriter Info: Mo Washburn (they/them) is an integrative bodyworker, doula, song tender and community web weaver. they cherish working with folks in the field of building and remembering connection~with their bodies, with song, with each other, the unseen, and with the earth. they passionately value slowness, deep listening, singing together, and they love savoring delicious meals with kin.

    Sharing Info: Please share this song far and wide, it wants to be sung.

    Links: 
    Mo's Website: www.mowashburn.com
    Mo's Bandcamp: https://mogather.bandcamp.com/album/gather
    Mo's Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1nCTliEzzWW59C8FiRwCSZ

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:02
    Start time of reprise: 00:15:55

    Nuts & Bolts: 12:8, Major, 3-part harmony

    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list 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.

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  • Published on

    22. When the Water Is Glass Calm

    Song When the Water Is Glass Calm
    Words & Music​ by Paul Barton
    Lyrics

    When the water is glass calm, the stillness cradles life.

    The sun rises slowly, pealing through the trees, bringing color to the sky.

    Listen, ​listen, to the soft sounds of this new day.
    Picture
    Notes:  I met Paul Barton in 2019 at a Circlesinging workshop with Bobby McFerrin -- a quiet, gentle redhead with a warm smile, he was easy to like… and then gradually since then, I’ve been discovering his music, which unfolds itself the more you sing it. I live not far from a pond, lake, and river, all which I have seen at moments of glass calmness (although, truth be told, not at sunrise!) I love the way I feel calm and clear after I sing this song, which he says Stephanie Drouin helped write as they were visiting a friend's cottage, and had gone for an early morning paddle. 

    Songwriter Info: Paul is a skilled jazz guitarist in Toronto, Canada, who creates music for community singing, in his words, "because I want to use my creativity to help people experience the joys (and sometimes sorrows) of singing together. There is a growing number of people around the world who are remembering that singing together can be inclusive to everyone regardless of singing ability or musical knowledge. And, the focus can be on the healing and connecting power of music, rather than on 'getting it right'." You can find Paul leading songs at Fiercely OK and Sing for Joy song circles.

    Links:
    Paul's website, http://www.paulbartonmusic.com/
    Paul's teaching tracks and sheet music for When the Water Is Glass Calm.
    Fiercely OK song circles
    Sing For Joy Community Choir

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Ionian (major), 3 layer song​

    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list 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 (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!