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    17. Ancient Green

    4:4 Be Present Calm Gratitude & Trust Grief & Fear Grieve Heal Protection & Presence Release Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized Song Form: Layer Song Form: Round Trees Water
    Song Ancient Green
    Words & Music​ by Kathleen Hannan
    Lyrics
    1. I lay under a tall oak tree,
    Asked the Goddess to shelter me.
    She wrapped me up in ancient green,
    ancient green. 
    (twice)

    ​2. All my tears,
    all my tears.
    all my tears,
    the river’s gonna wash away.
    (twice)
    Picture
    ​Notes: Kathleen says she caught this comforting song while lying on a huge rock next to the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, crying her heart out over a relationship that was transforming.  A beautiful oak tree was growing out of the rock, and as the song was born her sorrowful feelings washed through with the sound of the river, and she was left feeling whole, and at peace with the way things were. She also shared this story with me, "One time I sang the song in a show with a group of women drummers. Their teacher, a lovely African man, also played with us in the concert and rehearsal. After I taught them in the rehearsal and we had played it for a while, the African drummer told me that the song felt like an African song to him. That was one of my happiest moments, since I have for so long felt inspired by African diaspora music. And I did not really feel like I wrote that song... it just came through as a whole as I cried by the river." 

    Songwriter info: Kathleen has been writing, collecting and sharing songs for over 50 years. Her songs were awarded a North Carolina Arts Council Songwriter Fellowship. She currently leads the Bodies, Voices & Spirit Choruses in North Carolina and Maine, and is also a Dances of Universal Peace leader. She's a student of the Heart, and she facilitates The Work of Byron Katie.

    Links:
    Kathleen's blogpost & recording of Ancient Green with guitar, bass, piano, and drum. (So much fun to sing with!) 
    ​https://www.kathleenhannan.com/song-blog/songs-for-our-journey-26
    Kathleen's online presence: www.kathleenhannan.com
    Kathleen's chorus:     https://bodiesvoicesandspirit.weebly.com/
    Kathleen's song blog, which is searchable by title, subject or excerpts from lyrics: https://www.kathleenhannan.com/song-blog

    Kathleen's most recent CD is Seen & Unseen: Songs from the Light of Midlife
    Purchase CD here: https://www.kathleenhannan.com/seen--unseen-cd1.html
    Lyrics are here: https://www.kathleenhannan.com/lyrics--credits.html
    Photos from the recording process: https://www.kathleenhannan.com/photos.html

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Ionian (major), round with possible harmonies, or optionally could be taught as a 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!
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    14. Rolling River

    4:4 Accept Calm Flex Grief & Fear Heal Protection & Presence Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Harmonized Song Form: Layer Trust Water
    Song Rolling River
    Music & Words Tembre de Carteret
    Composed in​ 2020
    Lyrics

    Rolling river, rolling river,
    makes me smooth, round and soft.
    Rolling river, rolling river,
    makes me feel I’m enough.

    Round and round, ebb and flow,
    me home, me home.
    (2x)
    Picture
    Take 2 has arrived!  After listening, Tembre realized I was sharing an early, unfinished version of this song, which later evolved into a version she loves and shares. Tembre said, "As I remember when Rolling River was complete for me when the extra parts/delayed harmony was created , it was a special moment, as I felt this song was complete in that moment and it is loved.  I love the simpleness of the melody, as the other parts are added, it slowly becomes something that is resonant, full and fluid. " So here we have the version of Rolling River Tembre loves and would like shared...  I'm wondering if, for those who heard the first, mistake episode, if that's like owning one of those special stamps that was printed backward?​

    Notes Rounding, smoothing, softening... I love the way this song invites us to relish the tumbling flow of life and let it comfort and carry us, let it reassure us that we are enough, we are home. There's a rocking, rolling melody, which can be harmonized, and then a lovely descant, or upper line, that responds to the melody. I love the way this song lets me, (not an eager swimmer!), sense the release and acceptance of allowing the water to carry me. Next episode, a conversation with Tembre that includes cold water swimming, how she supports singers who might not be matching yet, finding time to songwrite, what makes Ireland a special place for a songleader, and more!

    Songwriter info Tembre de Carteret lives in County Clare, Ireland, and has led a beautiful online singing circle called "We May Sing" during the pandemic. You can learn more about her and the way in which she facilitates, mentors, and builds song communities at her website, www.tembresong.com

    Nuts & Bolts The song is in 4:4, in 2 layers, one of which is harmonized. It is Aeolian (natural minor).

    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!
  • Published on

    11. Dust Dry

    4:4 Change Empower Grief & Fear Grow Power & Change Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Zipper Water
    Song Dust Dry
    Words & Music​ by Patricia Norton
    ​Composed in 2020
    Lyrics
    Dust, dry, looking for *some water*;
    Dust, dry, my soul.
    Dust, dry, looking for *some water*;
    Rain down on us all.
    Us all.

    *zipper song; you sing the words you want here.
    ​If it's a single syllable, I often use the word "now" after to balance the rhythm.
    If it's a two syllable word, I use "some" or "a" before it.
    Some options: *a vision*, *some breath now*, *some justice*, *acceptance*, *some healing*
    Picture
    Notes: Written at a time when my soul felt dry and fragile in response to wildfires, drought, racial injustice, pandemic, climate and political crises... I needed a song that recognized how I felt, but could also call on hope, water, justice, breath, vision -- and a song I could bring to groups which could be quickly taught and singers could name what they wanted to call for themselves. I love the determination and sharpness I feel at the beginning, followed by a peaceful settling when the rain "falls down" on us all.

    Check out the home page or the shownotes to Episode #10 to join the "in-group" that gets a colorful, thoughtful weekly email.

    If you'd like to bring this song to your own groups, simply let me know at abreathofsong@gmail.com.

    Nuts and Bolts: 4:4, Aeolian (natural minor) zipper song with body percussion.

    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!
  • Published on

    5. Find Our Way Home

    3:4 Accept Calm Gather Gratitude & Trust Grief & Fear Journey Protection & Presence Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized Song Form: Layer Songwriter Conversation Trust
    Song Find Our Way Home
    Music & Words Maggie Wheeler
    Composed in​ 2020
    Lyrics

    We are out here in the open water
    No clear direction to carry on.
    We are out here in the open water
    Together we'll find,
    Find our way home.

    We are out here together (4x)

    Together we'll shine the light,
    Together we'll shine
    Together we'll find
    Find our way home.
    Picture

    Notes Maggie Wheeler talks about the bravery of this last year, how campfires affected her songleading, and how singing becomes a forgiveness practice. But first and last, she shares a song of hers, Find Our Way Home, which rose out of the pandemic, and will be included on a new project she has just started working on. (I go maybe a LITTLE fan-girl-squeaky, but, hey, my first interview, and someone I deeply admire -- I think I can be forgiven!)

    Extra special thanks to Patty Piotrowski, who provides beautiful art for each episode; I particularly love the sea otters in this one!

    Learn more about Maggie's extensive work, and sign up for her emails (I'm definitely on the list!) so you can keep up with what's coming up at goldenbridgechoir.com

    I mention a Peter Occhiogrosso interview with Maggie, in which she eloquently describes the many benefits of singing, among other things...

    Maggie talked about a few artists -- if you have a local music store, of course get them there -- but here are some links, as well:

    Sweet Honey in the Rock Live at Carnegie Hall

    Singer-songwriter Aimée Ringle -- Human and Tender 

    The South African acapella group The Soil

    ​    Maggie Wheeler is best know in the U.S and internationally for her work as an actress in film, television and voice-over and most notably as the character of Janice on NBC’s hit series Friends. Maggie is a passionate singer, songwriter, choir director and workshop facilitator. She has been teaching her vocal workshop "Singing In The Stream" for over 30 years at retreat centers, universities, communities and schools to provide the experience of creating interpersonal harmony and internal harmony through the powerful act of creating vocal harmony. Maggie directs the 100-voice Golden Bridge Community Choir in Hollywood, an inter-generational, non-auditioned choir now going in its 16th year.
    She is a prolific songwriter with a catalog of powerful and timely songs that have been sung by choirs worldwide. Maggie’s original music for choirs and communities is available on Itunes and other music platforms. To accompany her most recent CD entitled 'Walk With Me’, Maggie has created a songbook available by request through her website www.goldenbridgechoir.com Throughout this year of change Maggie hosted a weekly online community gathering called Together In Song, bringing together people from around the world to join in the healing power of singing.

    Links: To learn more about Maggie’s work please visit: www.goldenbridgechoir.com and maggiewheeler.net

    ​    Nuts and Bolts This layered and harmonized song is in 3:4, Ionian mode (major)

    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!
  • Published on

    4. Let It Blow Through

    4:4 Accept Change Flex Gratitude & Trust Grief & Fear Open Power & Change Release Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Layer Trust
    Song Let It Blow Through
    Music & Words Maggie Wheeler
    Composed in 2019
    Lyrics
    Let it blow through, let it blow through.
    Open up the windows of your soul, and let it blow through.

    Hard times come, and hard times go, let it blow through.
    Open up the windows of your soul, and let it blow through.

    Hard times come and hard times go, let it blow.
    Open up the windows of your soul, and let it blow through.
    Picture
    Notes Let's highlight a song by next episode's guest artist Maggie Wheeler, Maggie said she wrote this on her birthday on a gray day by the beach in 2019. She told her husband and daughters to just hang on, because a song was coming through… I thought, ah, she treats her creative urges with honor. Both my cat and dog contribute to this particular recording, but although the purring and dream yips seemed really loud as I was recording, they're quite faint in the final product.... I decided to just let them blow through.

    Maggie Wheeler is best known in the U.S and internationally for her work as an actress in film, television and voice-over and most notably as the character of Janice on NBC’s hit series Friends. Maggie is a passionate singer, songwriter, choir director and workshop facilitator. She has been teaching her vocal workshop "Singing In The Stream" for over 30 years at retreat centers, universities, communities and schools to provide the experience of creating interpersonal harmony and internal harmony through the powerful act of creating vocal harmony. Maggie directs the 100-voice Golden Bridge Community Choir in Hollywood, an inter-generational, non-auditioned choir now going in its 16th year.
    She is a prolific songwriter with a catalog of powerful and timely songs that have been sung by choirs worldwide. Maggie’s original music for choirs and communities is available on iTunes and other music platforms. To accompany her most recent CD entitled 'Walk With Me’, Maggie has created a songbook available by request through her website www.goldenbridgechoir.com Throughout this year of change Maggie hosted a weekly online community gathering called Together In Song, bringing together people from around the world to join in the healing power of singing.

    ​Links: To learn more about Maggie’s work please visit: www.goldenbridgechoir.com and maggiewheeler.net

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:01:51
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:42​

    Nuts & Bolts This layer song is a slow 4:4, Aeolian mode (natural minor)

    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!
  • Published on

    3. Woyaya

    6:8 Accept Calm Empower Flex Gathering & Welcome Grief & Fear Journey Power & Change Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized
    Song Woyaya
    Music Sol Amarifio
    Words Sol Amarifio (title in the Ga language of Ghana)
    ​Composed in 1971
    Lyrics
    We are going, heaven knows where we are going, but we know within.
    And we will get there, heaven knows how we will get there, but we know we will.
    It will be hard, we know, and the road will be muddy and rough,
    But we'll get there, heaven knows how we will get there, but we know we will.
    Wɔyaya, Wɔyaya, Wɔyaya, Wɔyaya.
    Picture
    Notes You'll hear me playing with different patterns and rhythms under this song... some of which work well right off, and some of which are more... umm... experimental! But we're all about exploring and growing and changing here -- and one of the downfalls of the highly polished recordings we are immersed in is that we forget that in real life, as we sing by ourselves or with each other, some of our experiments sound great, and some turn out to not be ones we want to continue -- heaven knows where we are going! But we'll get there...

    Songwriter info: Sol Amarifio was the Ghanian drummer of the band Osibisa. The band members were African and Caribbean musicians living in London: Teddy Osei, Sol Amarfio, Mac Tontoh, Spartacus R (Roy Bedeau) Wendell Richardson, Robert Bailey, Loughty Lasisi Amao. 
    This song is under copyright, so recordings or performances for profit are subject to copyright restrictions -- please sing freely at home and with family!

    Links: 
    Here's Osibisa with the original.
    Anaïs Mitchell and Kate Stables collaborated on a beautiful cover of this. 

    Nuts and Bolts: Harmonized, in 6:8, Ionian mode (major).

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:10
    Start time of reprise: 00:16:18

    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!