Tags

  • 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

    48. I Am Free

    4:4 Be Present Calm Celebrate Grow Notice Power & Change Praise & Wonder Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Harmonized Trust
    Song I Am Free
    Words & Melody by Liesel Rigsby
    Harmonies​ by Patricia Norton
    Lyrics
    I am free, I am free, like the ocean I am free.
    Free, I am free, I am free.

    I am love, I am love, Lord fill me with your love.
    Love, I am love, I am love.

    I am light, I am light, yes, I am shining bright.
    Light, I am light, I am light.
    Picture
    Notes: This is the first song Liesel wrote, on an island, starting the process of freeing her voice. What amazes me about this song, and keeps me coming back to it, is how good it feels to sing. From the opening jump of realization up to the word "free" to the rhythmic interplay that sets me swaying on the "love, I am love, I am love" line, the music and words strengthen each other. I added harmonies of my own, but you might choose different harmonies and end up with a very different kind of sound. I love how this song doesn't need complexity to be satisfying, and my focus is very quickly freed up to notice how my voice feels, how my body responds. Spacious and gracious -- and from my brief time with Liesel at a songleader workshop in 2019, I would say those are qualities of Liesel's as well.

    Songwriter Info: Liesel describes herself as an intuitive relationship coach -- she is also an author, mother, spouse, and successful entrepreneur.... and a heart-centered, laughter-filled wise presence, with an amazing Parking Fairy song to find those elusive spaces! Liesel shares freely guided meditations on her soundcloud channel... check them out!

    Links: 
    About - LieselRigsby.com
    Stream Liesel Rigsby meditations

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Aeolian, 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!
  • Published on

    46. We Are the Way

    4:4 Celebrate Change Flex Grow Notice Play Power & Change Praise & Wonder Protection & Presence Release Ribbon Scale: Mixolydian Song Form: Layer Song Form: Round Trust
    Song: We Are the Way
    Words & Music​ by Christine Kick
    Lyrics
    Celebrate the difference, 
    celebrate the distance,
    celebrate the love,
    celebrate this brand new way!
    We are the way, we are the way, we are the way!

    All night and every day we bring the love,
    ​we bring the love.
    Picture
    Notes: I came across We Are the Way in 2020 when I was joyfully listening through Annie Zylstra’s online collection in Heartland Harmony – if you love songs and haven’t found her library yet, you are in for a huge treat! Annie had this song, which lifted my heart and became a touchstone song for me in very short order. She explains that Christine Kick was living in her basement during a major home renovation that was taking longer than expected, and she found herself feeling a little shamefaced when friends would ask, “How’s it going?”, as it very much WASN’T… and then she reminded herself to celebrate the difference & distance she had come. We’ve just moved out of our home for 22 years to a new community, we’re unpacking boxes, searching for things in new places, slowly starting to meet new people… I am using this reminder on the regular!

    Songwriter Info: Christine has been writing songs ever since she was a kid, growing up singing in choirs, and playing flute, guitar, piano, hand drums, etc. She wrote We Are the Way in 2016. She teaches yoga as a way to harness more energy for life by overcoming our limitations and fears - energy that can then be applied to any passion or pursuit that fills us up! Christine believes that music is medicine, especially singing since it opens the throat chakra which allows energy to flow. Her mission is to inspire others to live their best life possible and show up for their heart's true calling.... and music is part of and parcel of who she is and what she does. When we connected for permission for me to use this song, she was in Costa Rica travelling, and sharing songs. Christine enjoys leading and hosting song circles, kirtans, and music jams.

    Links: 
    Find Christine's website here: Christine Kick
    on facebook as ChristineKick
    or Instagram as @acrounicorn

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:32 
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:29 ​

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Mixolydian, round and layer
    ​
    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

    43. Music

    2:2 Calm Heal Hope Journey Power & Change Protection & Presence Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized Trust
    Song Music
    Words & Music by Matthew Myer Boulton
    Lyrics
    We are going to a place where music
    falls and fills up everything;
    and though it might be a long time,
    know it's gonna be alright --
    ​'cause we've already started to sing.
    Picture
    Notes: This song has an Appalachian feel, and a wonderful way of rising and falling, gradually filling you up with the music that it's singing about as you sing it. Matthew says, “Great songs have great ideas in them, too. They are simple but they are not simplistic.” On the podcast, you'll hear me poking around with different rhythms and experimenting with harmonies and interspersing... and I encourage you to explore, too, as soon as you feel comfortable with the song. Let the music do its thing by filling us up, and let's enjoy the feeling of our voices today.

    Songwriter Info: Matthew Myer Boulton is an author, teacher, filmmaker, and proud papa of Jonah and Margaret. A graduate of Northwestern University, Harvard Divinity School, and the University of Chicago Divinity School, he has served on the faculty of Harvard Divinity School and seminaries in New England and the Midwest. He's also the Creative Director and Producer of the Salt project -- which is where I uncovered his bio!

    Links: 
    The original Butterflyfish recording can be found here: Christian Music for Children by Butterflyfish (saltproject.org) 
      You can buy sheet music here, too, or use the contact button to ask permission to use the song further.
    A shout out to Matt Myer (no relation), whose youtube video introduced me to the song: Music (We are going ) - YouTube

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, Major,  harmonized

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:23
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:32

    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

    38. This Is A Wave

    4:4 Accept Be Present Calm Grief & Fear Grieve Notice Power & Change Protection & Presence Release Ribbon Scale: Minor Song Form: Harmonized Song Form: Layer Water
    Song This Is A Wave
    Music & Words​ by Emily Roblyn
    Lyrics
    This is a wave, I am the ocean.
    ​This is a wave, I am the sea.
    Picture
    Notes: I find I keep returning to Emily Roblyn's song after learning it many months ago... I find myself singing it when times are really sweet -- and when they're really hard. It helps me remember I don't need to try to clench the almost painfully beautiful, wonderful times, because they won't last forever no matter how hard I hold -- and it helps me trust that the difficult, heart-aching times will pass. And as I sing, I can feel my voice vibrate in my body, and it brings me into awareness of my own body. Now, I'm no sage or wise woman -- but I know that this kind of embodiment is good for my whole being, and I'm grateful for any song that gets me there! Lots of juicy harmony options, or a lovely melody that rises and falls like the waves.... you sing what feels good in you today.

    Songwriter Info: Emily Roblyn is a Canadian born singer, choir leader and composer, who has made her home in Devon, UK where she has been leading choirs, workshops and singing retreats for over 18 years. She is a member of the Natural Voice Network and believes deeply in singing being a powerful tool for healing, change and connection. Her warmth and enthusiasm for sharing the blessings of singing together shines through in all her teaching, and her beautiful original songs are favorites in choirs across the UK.

    Links: 
    Visit Emily’s website and join her mailing list to be kept up to date with her new musical offerings. www.emilysinging.com
    Or contact her directly to buy the license to teach any of her songs by emailing emroblyn@gmail.com
    Hear Emily herself sing this song, plus another verse here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVmM52zcCPk

    ​    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:16
    Start time of reprise: 00:15: 38

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Minor, 2-layers -- one harmonized 3-ways.
    ​
    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

    37. Lead With Your Heart, Friends

    4:4 Be Present Empower Gratitude & Trust Heart Journey Power & Change Protection & Presence Release Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Round Trust
    Song Lead With Your Heart, Friends
    Words & Music​ by Ian Carrick
    Lyrics
    Lead with your heart, friends, the day is unfolding;
    the way is clear.
    You already know.
    Picture
    ​
    Notes: I love the bloom of trust I can feel inside myself after singing Ian Carrick's "Lead With Your Heart, Friends" for long enough to let it settle inside me. I find myself relaxing, trusting that my heart knows the way already, that the day can unfold and I can follow it without worry or fret. It's a generous gift of a song, and I'm happy to share it forward... including all my mess-ups and squidgely tuning (highly technical term right there!) I figure the point of this podcast is for YOU to do the singing and take this song away with you, make it your own, let yourself sing it when YOU need to hear its message; let the breath and the vibration take you where you want to go!

    Songwriter Info: Ian Carrick is a songleader, musician and songwriter based in his hometown of Bend, Oregon. He aspires to be a sort of modern-day bard, telling stories of the land, tending the heart of his people, singing for life with rhythmic refrains and refreshing harmonies. Ian has been honored to lead singing for students of all ages, educators, homeless shelter residents, recovering addicts, corporate groups and grief ceremonies. He is thrilled to have released his first album as a songwriter and is excited to carry the ethos of community singing into the conventional realm of performance music.

    Links: 
    https://www.iancarrick.net
    Original songs by Ian for singing together can be found both at https://soundcloud.com/iancarrick
    and https://www.openhubsinging.com/song-library
    Listen to Ian himself sing this at Lead with Your Heart
    Ian made a sing-along-able album of family-oriented music in 2023 - Check out Earthlings streaming wherever you listen!

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Ionian, round

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:38
    Start time of reprise: 00:11:30

    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!