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    65. Loving-Kindness with Guest Wendy Luella Perkins

    2:2 3:4 4:4 Accept Calm Celebrate Flex Flow Generosity Journey Pain Rest Scale: Aeolian (minor) Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Unison Song Form: Zipper Tend Trust
    Lyrics to all six songs shared in this episode
    ​by Wendy Luella Perkins
    LOVING-KINDNESS TO THE WHOLE
    © April 17-19, 2022 - Wendy Luella Perkins
    timestamp in episode: 5'42"
    In bed with lots of sciatic pain and began singing loving-kindness to my leg, my ankles, etc (as an add on to my body scan)…later on morning walk this was created.

    loving-kindness to my body
    loving-kindness to my mind
    loving-kindness to each and every joy
    and heartbreak of my time
    loving-kindness to my spirit
    loving-kindness to my soul
    loving-kindness to each and every part
    loving-kindness to the whole

    zipper: your body, our bodies, all bodies

    WHEN ALL IS SWIRLING
    ©2004 - Wendy Luella Perkins
    timestamp in episode: 19'31"

    when all is swirling in my heart
    quiet come
    take rest in me

    zipper: busy, worry, hurry, troubled, etc

    WE’RE ALL CONNECTED
    ©2020 - Wendy Luella Perkins
    timestamp in episode: 21'10"

    we’re all connected, bird, cloud and tree
    we’re all connected, earth, wind and sea
    an interwoven, exquisite tapestry
    we’re all connected, breath, you and me

    ​IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A SONG OR TWO
    ©2022 - Wendy Luella Perkins
    timestamp in episode: 35'10"

    it's good to have a song or two
    when the road gets bumpy
    it's good to have a song or two
    on this journey
    ​
    Picture

    ​TRUST IN THE POWER
    ©2021 - Wendy Luella Perkins
    timestamp in episode: 48'28"

    i'm gonna trust in the power
    trust in the power
    the power of love
    i'm gonna trust in the power
    trust in the power
    the power of love

    zipper: song, care, story, etc.

    TO LOVE I DO RETURN
    ©2021 - Wendy Luella Perkins
    timestamp in episode: 55'50"

    to love i do return
    to love i do return
    when my heart breaks open
    to this broken world
    to love i do return

    zipper: song, action, courage, kindness etc.
    Notes: Wendy Luella Perkins sings to telemarketers, tells of her brother choosing her for his show-and-tell, and why she has a tik-tok channel. She talks about auditory memory, singing as refuge, and the reclamation of her voice. She describes the transition from singer/songwriter work into the Soulful Singing in 2002, and the challenges unique to this kind of therapeutic singing which is not professional therapy. We have the awkward conversation about money -- is it possible to make a living as a songwriter without commodifying song, which is a birthright? Patty Piotrowski has created the most appropriate beautiful art in my mind because of the generosity and openness of the bloom.

    Songwriter Info: Wendy Luella Perkins has been singing and making up songs since she was a very young child. When she was three years old, her older brother, Tim, took her to school as his Show+Tell item saying, “this is my sister Wendy Lu, listen to her sing!” She's been going strong ever since. As a singer-songwriter, Unitarian Universalist community minister, and founder, in 2002 of Soulful Singing (singing meditation for all) Wendy Luella leverages the power of song to build authentic, healing and joyful communities.

    A prolific writer of folk songs and meditative chants and supportive guide who helps others to create their own songs, Wendy Luella's greatest joy is to bring friends and strangers together in the transformational circle of song. Wendy Luella has produced three CDs of original music, which you can find on her website. As a response to pandemic restrictions and recognizing the need to keep on singing in community, especially in difficult times, Wendy Luella transitioned Soulful Singing to online sessions in March 2020. Soulful Singers from all over have been gathering online EVERY SINGLE DAY since then and once a week on THURSDAY evenings.
    ​
    Everyone is welcome to join Soulful Singing via Zoom. Singing daily over the last 875+ days with wonderful folks from Kingston and around the world has encouraged Wendy Luella to share her original songs more broadly in what she calls her “Song Liberation Project” (The SLiP). She has written hundreds of songs and with The SLiP is sharing them one by one on TikTok. Wendy Luella grew up in rural Nova Scotia, and has lived in Kingston Ontario for over 25 years with her sweetheart and fellow musician, Charlie Walker. She loves waking early, walking daily, eating communally, crafting publicly, sharing deeply, gardening bountifully, laughing abundantly and of course, singing soulfully!

    Links: 
    Wendy Luella's website: https://www.wendyluellaperkins.com
    and tiktok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyluellaperkins
    To email Wendy Luella: info@wendyluellaperkins.com
    To join Soulful Singing every day from 9:00-9:45 a.m. Eastern Time, please click here for information: Wendy Luella Perkins | SoulfulSinging
    (notice you'll need to email ahead of time to receive a link for joining, so don't leave it to the very last minute!)
    Album that mattered: Joni Mitchell, Blue
    Songwriter Wendy Lu wishes more people would listen to: Coco Love Alcorn

    Nuts & Bolts: 
    ​Loving-Kindness: 3:4, major, zipper. Time: 5'42" 
    When All Is Swirling: 2:2, minor, zipper. Time: 19'31"
    We're All Connected: 4:4, major, unison. Time: 21'10" 
    It's Good to Have a Song or Two: 4:4, major, unison. Time: 35'10" 
    Trust In the Power: 4:4, major, zipper. Time: 48' 28" 
    To Love I Do Return: 3:4, major, zipper. Time: 55'50"

    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

    57. Farewell

    4:4 Be Grateful Farewell Friendship Journey Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Unison With Separate Harmony Line Tend
    Song: Farewell
    Words & Music by ​Patricia Norton
    Lyrics
    May you know the love that surrounds you
    is as warm as summer sun on sand;
    and until the time that we meet again,
    ​may love hold you in the palm of her hand.
    Picture
    Notes: What are summer songs for you? I think of summer as a time of greeting and gathering and workshops and camps and goodbyes and endings... a time of physicality, sensuality, heat, languor... I notice my body responding to light and heat. When I tune inward, I listen for what hums, what hurts, what is healing. Especially in this time, I notice what memories are loosened and how tender connections feel -- which brings me to this song, which is a farewell wish that could be sung to anyone -- family, friends, people we don't yet know. It might even be sung to an inner self that we are extra aware of, or listen to, and then ask to wait while we tend to other demands. As we leave gatherings of family or friends or memories, we can hum this song, envisioning each, wishing them well. In the last line of lyrics, I use the pronoun "her" for love -- but please, sing whichever pronoun embodies love for you -- his, her, their, our, xer, sher -- craft a version that evokes warmth in you.

    Songwriter Info: That would be me, so both of the websites below have stuff...

    ​    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:13
    Start time of reprise: 00:15:59

    Links: 
    abreathofsong.com
    juneberrymusic.com

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Ionian, melody with counter-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.

    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

    55. Everything Is Changing with Guest Kaitie Ty Warren

    4:4 Accept Be Present Change Flex Flow Gratitude & Trust Journey Praise & Wonder Protection & Presence Release Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Unison Songwriter Conversation Trust
    Song: Everything Is Changing
    Words & Music:​ Kaitie Ty Warren
    Lyrics
    Everything is changing.
    Life keeps rearranging; and
    sometimes it feels awkward,
    but we cannot go backward.
    We cannot go backward.
    Picture
    Notes: I keep singing this to myself... so grateful that Kaitie caught this song-morsel that provides so much release. This idea that life keeps rearranging, sometimes feeling awkward -- but that's not the end -- I get to keep moving through that... for some reason I can hear this so much more easily when it's coming in a song. Kaitie isn't done with this song -- she is still listening for the harmonies -- which means you're getting it at this sweet moment of openness and exploration -- how will you harmonize it, or will you stay with the melody, singing the reassurance into your bones? The songwriter conversation that follows ranges across the Ubuntu philosophy origin and how/why it applies to choirs, caring for a group, straight talk about singing in groups when not everyone's on pitch, what we can learn from small children, musings on flexibility versus predictability ... and more!

    Songwriter Info: Kaitie Ty Warren (she) is a Bay Area-based songleader, teacher, writer, cartoonist and performer. Passionate about creating joyful experiences through music, Kaitie uses simple yet luscious harmonies to build bridges within communities and bring people together in song. In early 2020, Kaitie's Living Room Choir moved online, and that fall her first child was born. Living Room Choir continued online, and in 2021 Kaitie added Simple Harmonies: Songs for Babies & Their Grown-Ups. Nowadays, Kaitie is still leading online but also exploring pandemic-conscious opportunities to sing together in person. Her dream, pandemic-willing, is to host a vibrant, in-person, intergenerational choir for babies, children and adults of all ages to sing together. ​

    Links: 
    To contact Kaitie directly: kaitietywarren@gmail.com
    To learn more of Kaitie's songs: https://thelivingroomchoir.com/original-music/
    To sing with Kaitie: thelivingroomchoir.com
    Kaitie's cartoons: https://www.instagram.com/kaitietywarren/
    For cartoons & things for sale: https://society6.com/kaitietywarren

    Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morrisette MORISSETTE,ALANIS - Jagged Little Pill Acoustic - Amazon.com Music
    Simon Webbe: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/simon-webbe/78729485
    more about the Bird/Cat/Dog idea for community reengagement
    Ubuntu and Bishop Desmond Tutu... here's an article about ubuntu by Desmond Tutu’s granddaughter

    ​Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:11
    Start time of reprise: 01:00:53

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Major (Ionian), melody with optional harmonies
    ​
    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

    53. Wish For We

    4:4 Friendship Journey Moon Power & Change Protection & Presence Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Layer Stars Sun Tend Trust
    Song: Wish for We
    Words & Music​ by Judi Vinar
    Lyrics
    Every little wish that I wish for me, is a wish for we.
    Sunshine, then some rain. Sunshine, and then some rain.
    Moonlight and starlight...
    Picture
    Notes: Judi is wishing for sunshine, then some rain; moonlight and starlight -- for herself, and for all of us... and when we get to sing this song of hers, we get to wish it for ourselves -- and each other. Every little wish for me and for we.... such a good feeling to remember our social connection, how natural it feels as humans to care for each other. I love the way each part you can sing in this song builds to a natural ending note... and those notes, stacked on each other, create a sweet, surprising chord. I also find the silence intriguing -- lots of space in these layers; chances to listen to the other voices. It's a little bit like remembering there are other people in the room with their own lives and stories and sorrows and delights, and there's space for them, too.... and maybe, combined, we're even more intriguing and colorful than alone? I particularly appreciate this song as I tentatively explore gathering more frequently with real, live people now... and I am surprised by the intensity of the experience. Disclosure: Judi has been my mentor and teacher and friend since 2015.... I asked her nicely (pleaded) to create a pocket song for the podcast. So I think this counts as a bespoke song?!

    Songwriter Info: Judi (Donaghy) Vinar

    “The incredible thing about Judi is that no matter what style she happens to be singing, it sounds as though she doesn’t do anything else”…Rick Carlson – Pianist

    A member of the Twin Cities music scene since 1989, Judi has sung with the Wolverines, JazzMN, St. Croix Jazz Orchestra, The Girls, and numerous shows under the production of Lori Dokken.  Judi tours worldwide with Vocal Master Bobby McFerrin as a member of his latest band “Gimme5”. By day Judi is a freelance Vocal instructor and Choral Director for Unity Minneapolis.  She has been a faculty member of Bobby McFerrin’s “Circlesongs” workshops since 2005. Also an award winning songwriter (JAZZIZ), Judi’s songs have been recorded by Debbie Duncan, the Girls, Paula Lammers, and Three Hits & a Miss.

    To find Judi’s recordings on ITunes or Youtube, search under Judi Donaghy. 
    To learn more about upcoming events or join her mailing list, go to www.judivinar.com.

    Links: 
    Judi's website: www.judivinar.com
    Judi singing "I Can See Clearly Now" with Bobby McFerrin (just one of my favorite videos ever)
    judivinar@gmail.com

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:44
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:02

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Mostly minor... except for that one crucial note. 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!
  • Published on

    49. More Waters Rising

    4:4 Earth Empower Fire Grief & Fear Grieve Hope Journey Power & Change Ribbon Scale: Aeolian (minor) Tend Water
    Song: More Waters Rising
    Words & Music by Saro Lynch-Thomason
    Lyrics
    1. ​There are more waters rising, this I know, this I know.
    There are more waters rising, this I know.
    There are more waters rising, they will find their way to me;
    there are more waters rising, this I know, this I know,
    there are more waters rising, this I know.

    2. ....fires burning....
    3. ...mountains falling...
    4. I will wade through the waters... when they find their way to me;
    5. I will walk through the fires...
    6. I will re-build the mountains....
    ​7. I will wade through the water....

    Picture
    Notes: This particular song of Saro's has gained international attention, becoming an anthem in the movement to end global warming and garnering praise in the Huffington Post. You may already be familiar with it... in which case I'd really encourage you to use this podcast to explore it and use my voice as an opportunity for you to experiment with harmonies, or being a grounded, single note, or be able to pay extra attention to how it feels inside your body as you sing. Or maybe you don't know it yet? That's cause for celebration, because you have a treat waiting for you today! For me, when I sing this, I feel huge things -- grief at what is happening to our planet and a powerful, grounded determination to respond as I can -- and, like I said -- feeling those things strong and large. It taps into something bigger than myself, even when I'm singing alone, as I often am these days. And then Patty sent me her image for this, which she had developed independently, after listening to the song over and over -- and I was so moved by the force of this hippo! I'd be curious to hear how it feels to you to sing it with me?

    Saro encourages people to sing this in groups -- "please share this song -- use it at protests, use it in church, use it in meetings, add new verses, spread it around!"
    ​
    Songwriter Info: Saro Lynch-Thomason is an award-winning ballad singer, song leader, folklorist, and documentarian from Asheville, North Carolina. Saro has been studying and teaching traditional song and balladry from the British Isles, Appalachia and the American South for over a decade. Saro believes that old songs help modern learners access history, folklore, and (most importantly) compassion for the experiences of others, and she uses in-person teaching, film documentary, podcasts and more to convey these lessons. She holds an M.A. in Appalachian Studies and a Certificate in Documentary Studies.

    Links: 
    www.sarosings.com,
    www.patreon.com/sarolynch,
    Music at sarolyncht.bandcamp.com,
    TikTok and Instagram at @songspeaksaro
    Saro herself singing More Waters Rising. (SO worth singing with!!!)

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:57
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:17​

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Aeolian, harmonizable
    ​
    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

    47. Shadow Listening

    4:4 Empower Grief & Fear Grow Heal Journey Protection & Presence Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Harmonized Song Form: Layer Trust
    Song: Shadow Listening
    Words & Music by Patricia Norton
    Lyrics
    Shadow of murmuring, spinning around.
    Sun-dusted listening; feel my heartbeat sound.

    I'm going back. I will catch you.
    No need to fear now. I'll be your ground.

    I can do this listening. I can do this healing.
    Picture

    Notes    : I didn't actually write this as a community singing song; I wasn't expecting anyone else to want to sing it. I wrote it because I was finding a way to comfort and strengthen myself through the process of sorting old journals... being placed back in some difficult times, times when I wasn't really able to treat myself compassionately. Going over to the piano and creating this song helped me listen to and love my younger, struggling self -- I really felt like I was catching myself. I shared it with a dear friend, who responded so strongly and positively, I began to share it with others, including eventually my Pocket Song singers... and now here.... because it seems I'm not the only one who gets to go back and tender gentle care to a previous self...
      So, you know how I say, "coming to you straight from my home in Vermont," with my voice just the way it is today? Well, I've got to admit with this episode, I fudged that... I couldn't loop the piano part (long story), so rather than record it live with my looper in one take, I had to layer the recordings to get you the whole song... which meant I could re-record when I didn't hit a note squarely in the middle, or squeaked or cracked. And it's still not perfect! Sigh.... I'm learning a lot from doing this podcast! Thanks for hanging out with me -- I hope this song can be a good companion to you, too.

    Songwriter Info: Um... I think you can find this on either website. (Different accounts, but basically the same person!) :)

    Links: 
    abreathofsong.com
    juneberrymusic.com

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:51
    Start time of reprise: 00:15:12

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Aeolian, 3 layers, one harmonized

    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!