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  • Published on

    129. Inner Peace

    Song: Inner Peace
    ​Music: 
    Kate Valentine
    Lyrics:

    I am the deep peace I seek, I am, I am,

    Look upon the rolling ocean
    Look above the sky unfolding
    All around the tide is turning
    Right here I am standing

    Picture
    Notes: I love the way this song by Kate Valentine has both motion and deep stillness. It carries acceptance and conviction, and I simply love having it in my head. How did she do this??? Next week, in conversation with Kate, she tells how she wrote this specific song, as well as how she managed to convince herself to write music in the first place, which felt like a near-impossible stretch.

    Songwriter InfoKate Valentine is a registered nurse and founder of Singing Mamas - a national non-profit for maternal well-being, bringing singing groups across the UK and the globe to women and mothers. Kate started with one group in 2011 and while struggling as a single mum to 3 sons and working nights shifts, she set about to get singing mamas free and referred to all new and expectant mums across the UK. There are now more than 200 leaders across 8 countries, with Singing Mamas programmes being delivered in over 50 local authorities, either as community groups or on-prescription through the national health service (NHS).

    Kate is most passionate about bringing the 'untrained' musician into the work of song sharing, and is driven by a determination to re-normalise a singing culture, where it has been lost.


    Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share but Kate always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Links:
    Singing Mamas Website: www.singingmamas.org
    Singing Mamas on Instagram: @singing_mamas_org


    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:34
    Start time of reprise: 00:14:47

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, major, harmonized 2 layers

    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share) 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 https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
  • Published on

    125. Dahil Mahal Kita with guest Gerone Pascal

    Song: Dahil Mahal Kita
    Music: 
    Gérone Pascal
    ​Lyrics:

    Dahil mahal kita
    dahil mahal na mahal kita
    dahil mahal kita
    ibibigay ko ang lahat

    Because I love you so much,
    Because I love you so much, so much, so much
    Because I Iove you so much,
    I give you all of my heart.
    Picture
    Notes: Gérone explores ways we can give ourselves our full hearts… with words and without words. How songs express and touch emotions, how questions can be a form of self care. Her partner is cooking in the background, so the recording is riddled with the crashes and bangs of everyday life, and our conversation is grounded in here and now. Recorded just two days after we moved, I wasn't feeling at my sparkliest(!), yet singing Dahil Mahal Kita was a settling, centering way to start in to a conversation about song in daily life.

    Songwriter InfoGérone is a thirty-something movement and meditation teacher from the Philippines, now living in France. Her work is mostly about helping people get to know and love their bodies so much that they'd want to take care of them through yoga postures, mindful consumption, regulated breathing, and rest. When she's not in the yoga studio or the health center, she's happy singing Filipino folksongs while hiking, belting out karaoke hits in the kitchen while cooking or baking delicious vegan fare, or meditating while sewing or knitting clothes for her friends and family.

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

    Links:
    Lyon, the gastronomical capital of France: https://www.thetravel.com/what-makes-lyon-the-gastronomical-capital-of-france/
    Tagalog- one of the main languages spoken in Manila: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tagalog-language
    https://www.omniglot.com/writing/tagalog.htm
    History of music in the Philippines: https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/arts/historical-notes-on-why-filipinos-love-music
    Understanding Mantras
    https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/sanskrit/mantras-101-the-science-behind-finding-your-mantra-and-how-to-practice-it/

    Bobby McFerrin: https://bobbymcferrin.com/
    Rhiannon: https://rhiannonmusic.com/circlesing
    Tonal languages - https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/tonal-languages
    Le Cercle Enchanté (The Enchanted Circle) retreat - https://lecercleenchante.com/en/
    Gérone’s friend's album on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0xPu4z5Z0lj7cmfGg8YjNG
    Kendrick Lamar: https://www.biography.com/musicians/kendrick-lamar
    Cynthia Alexander on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0pu1wIlONwzjRxXFMg3u0U
    Comfort in your Strangeness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltebib8teeM
    Gérone's Website: https://gerone.yoga/fr
    Gérone's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gerone.gentlewarrior

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:05:15
    Start time of reprise: 01:04:02

    ​​​Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, unison

    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share) 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 https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!​
  • Published on

    124. Andito Ngayon

    Song: Andito Ngayon
    ​Music: Gérone Pascal
    Lyrics

    Andito ngayon
    Sa aking puso
    Ang bawat hininga
    Maginhawa.

    Here now
    in my heart
    Every breath
    Full of ease.
    Picture
    Notes: It's magic to sing a song of presence in a language unfamiliar to me -- this one from the Phillipines -- it magnifies the focus, the awareness. Also I experience great comfort singing this particular set of sounds. Songwriter Gérone Pascal talks next week about what is special about Tagalog, why song creating feels natural to her, and her #1 self care tactic... all things which play out in this song. I added a few harmonies, but you might choose to play the melody section on repeat and add your own!

    Songwriter InfoGérone is a thirty something movement and meditation teacher from the Philippines, now living in France. Her work is mostly about helping people get to know and love their bodies so much that they'd want to take care of them through yoga postures, mindful consumption, regulated breathing, and rest. When she's not in the yoga studio or the health center, she's happy singing Filipino folksongs while hiking, belting out karaoke hits in the kitchen while cooking or baking delicious vegan fare, or meditating while sewing or knitting clothes for her friends and family.

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

    Links:
    Gérone's Website: https://gerone.yoga/fr
    Gérone's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gerone.gentlewarrior

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching (text): 00:04:00
    Start time of teaching (singing): 00:0
    6:10
    Start time of reprise: 00:14:30
    ​​​
    Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, major, harmonized melody

    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share) 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 https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!​
  • Published on

    120. Alchemy with Guest Te Martin

    Song: Alchemy
    Music:
    Te Martin
    Lyrics: 

    Part 1:
    Everything is helping you
    grow and thrive
    know what you need to know


    Part 2:
    And it is not too late
    it is not too late to follow
    [x3]
    your dreams


    Part 3:
    ​Dream!
    Picture
    Notes: “I feel inside of myself something expanding when I sing," says Te. They've used song to metabolize experience for as long as they can remember... and as Te shares this song, we get to feel into their experience of trust. Alchemy could be a way of building gold out of fear; something beautiful is uncovered as Te sings and shares about learning to carry the complexity of song sharing loosely, relationship to each other and the earth, liberation... and the magic of a sigh.

    Songwriter InfoTe Martin is a song-keeper and ritual artist. They were born on Ramaytush Ohlone land in San Francisco and have been shaped by Ocean, Redwoods, circus arts, and theater games. They facilitate oral tradition singing classes and workshops that focus on song as a tool for collective liberation, somatic regulation, and ancestral connection. Te served as co-organizer of Thrive Street Choir in the San Francisco bay area for six years, is a student of Gaelic song, and released their first professional music video and EP of original songs, "Water & Bones," in 2021.

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

    Links from the conversation: 
    The Lama Foundation: https://www.lamafoundation.org/
    Pueblo Tiwa People Northern New Mexico: https://accessgenealogy.com/new-mexico/tiwa-pueblo-indians.htm
    Southern Pomo Coast Miwok
    https://alamedanativeart.com/post/alameda-native-history-project/coast-miwok-and-southern-pomo-map/
    Songs of Mother Europe: https://weavingremembrance.org/songs-of-mother-europe-fall/
    The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18144590-the-alchemist
    The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: https://juliacameronlive.com/books-by-julia/
    Alchemy process: https://aras.org/concordance/content/alchemical-process-and-its-stages
    Village Fire Singing Iowa: http://www.villagefiresinging.org/
    Liz Rog: https://realsmalltowns.com/liz-rog-singing-as-breath-and-food/
    Singing Alive Oregon: https://singingalive.org/
    Melanie DeMore: https://melaniedemore.com/bio/
    Lisa G. Littlebird: https://thebirdsings.com/
    Finding Our Voice on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingourvoiceproject -- while Josh and Te's "Finding Our Voice" project didn't end up with lots of accessible recorded interviews, it built more community among songleaders and nurtured both Josh and Te.
    Laurence Cole: https://www.laurencecole.com/
    Thrive Street Choir in San Francisco bay area: http://www.thriveeastbay.org/thrivestreetchoir
    Lyndsey Scott: https://www.lyndseyscott.earth
    Joanna Laws Landis: https://soundcloud.com/nextgenna/healing-through-grief-joanna-laws-landis
    Ysaye Barnwell:
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/a-serendipitous-life-ysaye-barnwell-and-the-healing-power-of-music/2015/05/01/718db920-e52e-11e4-905f-cc896d379a32_story.html

    "I’m Yours" by Tracy Chapman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LdCazk77D4
    "The Long Way Around" by The Chicks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5HKLteH9Mc
    Molly Hartwell & Laura Boswell - Wellspring album: https://wellspring.bandcamp.com/album/wellspring
    Put Your Roots Down: https://riseupandsing.org/songs/put-your-roots-down
    Put Your Roots Down on A Breath of Song: 
    https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/2-put-your-roots-down

    Te's Links:
    EP, "Water & Bones": https://temartin.bandcamp.com/album/water-bones
    "May This Body Be a Bridge" Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Mn_2BSNAg
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/temartin
    Mailing List: https://mailchi.mp/1debadd3ebb3/sos 
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/te.martin/


    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:52
    Start time of reprise: 01:00:19
    ​​
    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, 3 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

    119. I Let Go

    Song: I Let Go
    Music: Te Martin

    ​Lyrics:

    I let go
    I lay down
    I release
    Return again



    Picture
    Notes: Te Martin describes this song as an exhale... I experience it like that, too... a relaxation, a release. It's so very welcome to me as I'm coming into a busy time of life, with lots of commitments lined up -- I need ways to let go quickly, in the middle of all the flurry. Having this song in my mind lets me do that... and if I happen to be with someone else who's willing to sing, it's so easy to echo it back to each other. Next week is a songwriter conversation with Te... bicycles, miso, and the natural world all come into play!

    Songwriter InfoTe Martin is a song-keeper and ritual artist. They were born on Ramaytush Ohlone land in San Francisco and have been shaped by Ocean, Redwoods, circus arts, and theater games. They facilitate oral tradition singing classes and workshops that focus on song as a tool for collective liberation, somatic regulation, and ancestral connection. Te served as co-organizer of Thrive Street Choir in the San Francisco bay area for six years, is a student of Gaelic song, and released their first professional music video and EP of original songs, "Water & Bones," in 2021.

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

    Links: 
    EP, "Water & Bones": https://temartin.bandcamp.com/album/water-bones
    "May This Body Be a Bridge" Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Mn_2BSNAg
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/temartin
    Mailing List: https://mailchi.mp/1debadd3ebb3/sos 
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/te.martin/


    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:53
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:10
    ​​
    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, call & response

    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

    118. Listen In

    Song: Listen In
    Music: Jennie Pearl
    Lyrics:

    Listen in

    ​Here I am
    this is my center
    What is mine, What is mine?

    We're learning how to reach for each other
    may we reach
    may we teach

    Through the blurred lines,
    The pain and confusion,
    may we reach
    may we teach
    Picture
    Notes: Trying something different here -- lots of space for you to experiment. Jennie Pearl's song was a technique to help her be more open to listening after she had hurt someone -- a way to change her own patterned response to what to do after realizing you've caused harm. I love this song for that chance to change a pattern by intensely listening -- both to myself and the person I've hurt. So I've recorded it with lots of time and space for you discover how it sits in you. If you find you want to rush through it, try singing a harmony, or creating a melody you need to hear to help you stay with it. Eventually, I harmonize it my way and mash everything together -- may feel good to you, or you might like an earlier, more spacious moment? Enjoy listening in...

    Songwriter InfoJennie Pearl (she/her) is a facilitator, singer, and bodyworker who leads from emotion and embodiment in liberation work. She is committed to bridging the gap between racial justice/gender justice and healing work. Alongside her team at Holistic Resistance and Transintimate, she offers a myriad of programming to cultivate ongoing relationships that dream up a more anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and liberatory future.

    Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share but Jennie always welcome financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Links: Jennie's Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/Jennie-Pearl-1 -- if you are sharing the song on in a situation where you receive financial compensation, or if you have resources to support Jennie's work in the world, please consider sending support.
    Holistic Resistance: https://www.holisticresistance.com/about -- get inspired by what Jennie and others are dreaming!
    Reach for Life! Song Playlist: https://thebirdsings.com/reach/ -- with Listen In arranged by Lisa Littlebird

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:15
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:47
    ​​
    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, 3-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!​