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  • Published on

    122. September Moon with singer Rebecca Csuy

    Song: September Moon
    Music: 
    Chandler Yorkhall
    Lyrics

    Full Moon outside my window this warm September night
    Pulls me into wakefulness far too early.
    I’d rather be sleeping the day is already too long for me
    I’ll just wait for dawn.
    Picture
    Notes: Chandler Yorkhall has written one of my favorite full moon songs, as I rarely sleep well during a full moon! I am delighted to have gotten to record this with my daughter, Rebecca -- laughter ensues, and we ended up including an "outtake", where we experiment with rounding the song much more closely than usual... just to see what happens (and okay, yes, maybe it's a train wreck, but then we tried again!) I love the dancing rhythms of this, and appreciated Chandler's willingness to listen to how I'd learned to sing it. He pointed out a few spots which differed from his original so we could bring you a fairly accurate rendition of his original. As good songs travel, they sometimes morph...

    Songwriter Info: Chandler grew up singing with his family and can’t remember a time when singing wasn’t part of his daily life. He has been writing, leading, and getting inspired by songs since he was a teen, and songs have saved his sanity more times than he can remember. He is so pleased to be able to share his joy through sharing his songs. Chandler lives in Minneapolis with his wife and 4 children, who also love to sing! He's never really settled on a parenting “philosophy” per se, until his two teen daughters returned from their first Village Harmony camp, singing lustily in praise of everything good. At that point he said to himself, “Well, if my children leave my home knowing how to sing, I guess I’ll have done them, and the world, a great service.”

    Sharing Info: Yes -The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Chandler for recording, performing, or publication permission.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:50
    Start time of reprise: 00:17:37
    ​​​
    Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, Aeolian minor, round

    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

    112. Let Me Sing

    Song: Let Me Sing
    ​Music: Jane Lewis
    Lyrics

    Let me sing as the sun rises
    Let me sing as the day falls
    Let me offer this prayer to the moonlight
    Let me stand in the beauty of it all

    (Let me sing to the beauty)

    Picture
    Notes: A sweet short song like this brings me deep rewards -- the chance to drop into the joy, the preciousness, the abundance of simply being alive. For me to learn it, Jane sent me "a just rough off the looper" recording -- and it was so, so beautiful! Don't miss the links to Jane's recorded music -- her voice is like flavored butter -- smooth with an extra kick -- and the sense you get of her self that infuses her singing is generous and gentle and joystruck. My version doesn't sound nearly as good as her's to me -- and yet, it was such a pleasure to get to sing the song, and I think it'll work so you can learn the song and take it on into your own life, with your own voice. If Jane ever records it, or you get a chance to hear Jane live, maybe you can sing it along with her!

    Songwriter Info: Jane Lewis is a singer-songwriter, workshop facilitator, and community music instigator. She is a strong believer in the power of music to bring people together. When not performing with her folk/roots duo Gathering Sparks, she can be found leading vocal & harmony workshops, Circle Singing, Vocal Meditation, and Women's Music Weekend retreats.

    Sharing Info: Yes — The song is free to use/share, but Jane always welcomes networking support. A financial contribution when folks are able is also appreciated!

    Links: 
    Jane's Website: http://www.janelewis.ca
    Women's Music Weekend, facilitated by Jane: https://www.womensmusicweekend.com
    Jane's YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/JaneLewisMusic
    Jane's duo with Eve Goldberg: Gathering Sparks YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/GatheringSparksMusic


    ​Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:59
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:29
    ​​
    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Mixolydian with a twist, 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.

    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

    81. Light Returning

    Song: Light Returning
    Words & Music by Emma Mutter
    Lyrics
    A low sun burning; crimson in the cold,
    Sing for the slow year turning; time's soft unfolding.
    As cherished spirits linger near our own,
    ​Yearn for the long night's ebbing; the light returning.
    Picture
    Notes: I love the way Emma's song ushers in the darkness and turning of the seasons with a lilt that includes a trust that the light will return. There's a softness and acceptance to the song that makes it easier to be present with the turning. Emma says the song "was born on a winter walk during Covid restrictions in the UK. I was finding some comfort in the unruffled flow of the seasons - 'time's soft unfolding'. 21st December is my late father's birthday as well as winter solstice, so this song is dedicated to him - I think he would have liked the words and the structure." 

    Songwriter Info: Emma has been singing all her life and enjoys all styles of song and ensemble! When her daughter was born in 2018, she began an acapella singing group for local mums, and after joining the Singing Mamas network in 2020, was inspired to start writing her own songs, for herself, for her groups and songsharing colleagues. 

    Links: 
    Find Emma's album 'Light Returning' on Bandcamp https://emmamutter.bandcamp.com/album/light-returning
    You can also find newer songs on her Facebook page www.facebook.com/emmamuttermusic
    Contact Emma by email elrfmutter@gmail.com to buy the score (suggested contribution up to £5) and/or purchase the song on Bandcamp if you'd like to share this song as a songleader. Please contact Emma directly for recording or performing permissions.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:00:47 
    Start time of reprise: 00:15:38 ​

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, Aeolian (minor), harmonized melody with option of a round.

    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

    80. Go Dark with guest Kate Thomas

    Song: Go Dark
    Words from Wendell Berry
    Music ​by Kate Thomas
    Lyrics
    To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
    To know the dark, go dark; go without sight,
    and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
    And is traveled by dark feet, and dark wings.
    Picture
    Notes: You get to hear Kate and I in deep conversation -- complete with creaky chair, and me messing up as Kate teaches me her beautiful song, Go Dark. Do you ever have the experience of being solid on a part, as long as the leader is singing it, but then when they leave to teach another part, you lose it? You'll hear me doing just that! :) We talk about building a bank of nourishing words for hard times -- and Kate shares a story about something that shook her certainty and ease with life, and how that made her vow not to judge people. She observes how giving time and a safe place to make mistakes makes it possible for most people to learn to sing, like almost all people learn to drive eventually. And then there's the handpan, and learning Arabic, and... I guess you'll just need to listen in!

    Songwriter Info: Kate Thomas is a singer, song leader, songwriter and instrumentalist (guitar, piano and handpan) and has been leading singing groups in Sheffield for over 20 years. She has produced two songbooks, 'Honey and Salt' (from which 'Be Yourself' and 'Scattered Seeds'. If you are interested in contacting her about these resources, her email is honeyandsalt65@gmail.com. 

    Links: 
    Wendell Berry – Farming (counterpointpress.com) (Kate mentioned "Soul Food", but I think this ends up being the book with the poem in it.)
    Barbara Brown Taylor – Learning to Walk in the Dark
    Wanting Memories - Sweet Honey in the Rock
    Handpan playing -- Kate suggests thishandpan duo, Mea
    Raffi
    The Singing Kettle
    Tapestry – Carole King -- I'm pretty sure you can find the album, so here's an article that quotes many artists talking about the influence of the album on them... Talking about 'Tapestry': Musicians discuss the influence of Carole King's masterpiece - NJArts.net
    Karine PolwartScottish Songbook, The Lost Words: Spell Songs -- and here's a bonus interview with Karine about the Spellsongs project
    Youtube recordings of Kate’s songs -- here's her channel, where you can find all 10: Kate Thomas - YouTube
       And here are just a few links for specific songs:
      We Were Seeds: Kate's bold setting of the Dinos Christianopoulos quote, "They thought they could bury us; they did not know we were seeds.
      A Thousand Ways (with handpan! -- a beautiful meditation)

    Kate's profile and choirs: Member profile - Natural Voice Network
    Information about Honey and Salt (and Scattered Seeds is searchable there, too): Honey and Salt - Natural Voice Network

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:44 
    Start time of reprise: 00:57:07​

    Nuts & Bolts: 6:8, major, 2-parts here, (SATB in the Honey & Salt book) or works beautifully unison, too

    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

    74. Equinox Blessing (Shadows & Light)

    Song: Equinox Blessing (Shadows & Light)
    Words & Music​ by Heather Houston
    Lyrics

    Honoring the darkness, Honoring the light,
    Honoring the day, Honoring the night


    All things find their way into balance

    Suspended in time

    Shadows and light
    Picture
    Notes: This is song is a taste of Heather Houston's creative, connecting powers -- Episode #75 will feature an intimate conversation with Heather. After she shares another of her songs, we'll delve into why song matters, why voices matter... and a really good soup! Meanwhile, I love this song for noticing the balance of shadow and light -- to me, it's a beautiful song to sing on cusps, like dawn or dusk. Recently, as I've been healing from tick-borne illness, I've hummed it to myself as I watch the shadows and light cross my bedroom wall, encouraging my body to find its way into balance.

    Songwriter Info: Heather Houston is passionate about uplifting hearts, freeing voices, transforming lives, and building strong, loving communities through the power of singing. She spreads her magic through her 20+years of international song circle leading, private vocal coaching, and her online offerings - The Art of Mindful Singing, S.H.E. Sings, Singing as Sanctuary, and Sisters in Harmony Song and Chant Leader Training. You can now join her every Monday night on Zoom for a 2-hour Sisters in Harmony Global community song circle with guest artists!

    Heather recently released her second solo album, Sisters of the Moon, which features the ethereal voices of her 40-voice women’s choir Yala Lati. Her first solo album, Prayers for the Water is a ZMR Top 10 album. You can find Heather’s music and her a cappella group SIRENZ on all of the streaming platforms and for download on her website.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:14
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:05

    Links: 
    Website: https://heatherhoustonmusic.com
    Albums
        Download: https://heatherhoustonmusic.com/recordings/
        Streaming on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4gw79r7NGOw6WF2bytPW5a?si=E0mvdKMpQ9ObjpRnhViDYQ
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherhoustonmusic
    IG: HeatherHoustonMusic
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPr_m3bi0-TqhBFvJlD4pFA

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Dorian, 5-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

    45. First Light with guest Penny Stone

    Song: First Light
    Words & Music ​by Penny Stone
    Lyrics
    May the stars shine brightly on you in the dark night,
    May the warmth of friends sustain you ‘til the first light.
    When the dawn will come, bring the warmth of the sun,
    And the songbirds will be singing in the morning.

    May the bright stars in the dark sky
    Watch over your longest night.
    May the bright stars in the dark sky
    Watch over your longest night.


    Picture
    Notes: Penny includes us all into her circle of friends by sharing "First Light" -- a song she wrote for 5 close friends, including her partner. Then we have a rollicking conversation, covering big voices, purposeful singing, what a requiem might do, and a few little questions like, "What has singing taught you about life?" Also, how and why you might say "FTS"...

    Songwriter Info: Penny Stone is a musician and activist based in Edinburgh, Scotland. She believes that everyone can sing and that every voice is valuable and beautiful. Penny facilitates singing groups and writes accessible music for community groups. She is currently working on a feminist requiem. 

    Links: 
    Penny's website (with a donation box)...: www.singlouderthanguns.com
    Learn and Sing along song videos: www.singlouderthanguns.com/singalong-songs/

    Sing this song with with Penny: First Light (learn and sing along) - YouTube
    Twitter: @singovertheguns

    The lullaby Penny describes that she wrote for the "wee girl": https://youtu.be/aG3OgCWd8c4
    How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy:  An Excerpt from How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy | Penguin Random House
    Two choices for Jaqueline du Pre Elgar cello concerto:
     Jacqueline du Pre & Daniel Barenboim - Elgar Cello Concerto - YouTube
    or with Sir John Barbirolli: Elgar Cello Concerto / Jacqueline Du Pré / Sir John Barbirolli, LSO (ASD 655) 1965 - YouTube

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:57
    Start time of reprise: 01:08:42

    Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, Major, Harmonized, tune in the middle

    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!