The Sunday after this episode is released, September 29th, 2024, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us!

Lyrics ​& Links to the original episodes for the songs in this ribbon.

Note: Angela Gabriel has made a melody change (which she can, right? Her song!) to We Were Made for These Times -- I made a new recording for this ribbon of songs, reflecting this update. If you click here, it will go to a teaching youtube video she created (which wonderfully includes the full lyrics...) https://youtu.be/kZfD7YbZJew?feature=shared

2. Put Your Roots Down

by Molly Hartwell

Put your roots down,

put your feet on the ground,

can you hear what she says

when you listen?

(2x)

‘Cause the

sound of the river,

as it moves across the stone

is the

same sound as the

blood in your body

as it moves across your bones.

Are you listening?

The title link goes to Molly Hartwell singing her original… but as she has given her blessing to the “telephone” versions that have travelled around, I am still singing (more or less) the version I learned from Lisa Littlebird in 2019…

99. Turning Wheel

by Lisa Littlebird

There’s a wheel that is turning,

calling me into my power.

There’s a wheel that is turning,

calling me into my voice.

It’s turning, we’re learning

to stand inside our hearts.

It’s turning, we’re learning

to stand in love.

I will not be silent.

121. Make Good Trouble

by Elizabeth Melvin

words inspired by John Lewis

Stand up and make good trouble

Speak up and make good trouble

Get up and make good trouble

Rise up and make good trouble

Never, ever be afraid

to make some noise, make some noise

This is the struggle,

the struggle of a lifetime

(Make good trouble)

86. We Were Made For These Times

text by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

music by Angela Gabriel

Don’t lose heart,

We were made for these times.

(3x)

Show your soul,

it shines like gold in these dark times.

Don’t lose hope….

Don’t give up….

The link goes to Angela’s own recording… Here it is as a podcast episode.

46. We Are The Way

by Christine Kick

1. 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!!!

1. All night and

every day

we bring the love,

we bring the love.

Christine is expecting a baby!

Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share

Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: Good Friend Music by: Jan Harmon

Notes: Both harbor and freedom, connection and release, seasons and timelessness. Jan Harmon's song, written in 1985, has generous space for harmonies, and impels us singers forward, as though we were the sail catching the wind. I love the feeling of holding and letting go as I sing this song -- it helps me grieve, helps rejoice, helps me open, helps me curl up... I wonder what you will experience as you sing it with me?

Songwriter Info: Jan Harmon (1940-1993) was a published poet, a writer of short stories and biographical non-fiction, as well as a prolific composer of choral music, topical songs, ballads, rounds, musicals, and instrumental pieces. She was born in Saginaw, Michigan and lived in many places from southern California to Maine.

Sharing Info: When sharing in a money-making venture, like a workshop, class, or performance, please contact Scott at Harmon Publishing for permission and rates: https://harmonpublishing.com/contact.php

Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:02:47 Start time of reprise: 00:16:25

Links: Song info on the Harmon Publishing website (including a sheet music PDF): https://www.harmonpublishing.com/jan/music/library/good-friend

Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, minor, round

Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share

Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: The Ambulance Song Music by: Aimée Ringle "Ooo Love" part by: Laurence Cole

Notes: We live on a busy road, not far from a fire station -- an ambulance is not an unusual sight -- and thanks to Aimée Ringle, I have the perfect song to wish the people involved well... and now you do, too! Next week, Aimée and I talk about the tender place music is able to open up, how someone with considerable musical skills and experience finds how they, too, can be included in community singing... how we are what we repeatedly do, and what that means for Aimée. She is generous, vulnerable, clear-sighted, and willing to name her own challenges. I hope you can join us... but before that, please enjoy adding this song to your personal repertoire!

Songwriter Info: Aimée Ringle is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, song-leader, and storyteller. She has an invigorating teaching style that is enriched by her capable percussion and guitar skills. Aimée’s work as a song-leader and storyteller have woven her into an ever widening community of cultural shifters around the country in the realms of sustainable agriculture, alternative education, community living, healing, creativity, and spiritual exploration ~ all of which are reflected in the songs she carries. As a song-leader, Aimée’s work and example have become a valued part of several Ancestral skills gatherings including Winter Count, Spirit Weavers and Sharpening Stone.

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

Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:04:12 Start time of reprise: 00:17:38

Links: Aimée's website: www.aimeeringlemusic.com

Aimée's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AiméeRingle

The Ambulance Song video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b6WxqtlIbo

Aimée's Bandcamp: https://aimeeringle.bandcamp.com

Laurence Cole's website: https://www.laurencecole.com

Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, Aeolian, 4-part

Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share

Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: Quiet At First

Music by: Eileen Webb

Lyrics by: Kai Skye

Notes: How often do you get to sing with a thrush? Eileen Webb has made that possible for us... and so we get full enjoyment out of it, singing the entire song twice after learning it. The song itself, with words from Kai Skye, is a succinct reminder to drop in to that sensation of connection to all living things and how good it feels. What could be better? Recording this was unusual for me, because instead of loops on Loopy (where I just have to get it sounding right once!), it's layered tracks because of singing with the thrush... so I got to practice staying centered for the entire length of the song... not once, not twice, but three times plus a bit! It was really good for me -- so thank you for singing with me and perusing the A Breath of Song library -- I love the way my sense of responsibility to you keeps me in practice.

Songwriter Info: Eileen is a consultant and facilitator who helps tech companies build stronger relationships within and across their teams. She loves how music-making helps create deep connections in diverse groups of people, and leads the circlesinging community in Portland, Maine.

Sharing Info: The song is free to share, but please remember to share the lyrics credit to Kai Skye as well!

Song Learning Time Stamps:

Start time of teaching: 00:04:33

Start time of reprise: 00:17:52

Links:

Eileen's Portland circlesinging group: https://www.meetup.com/circlesinging-portland/.

Kai's art website: https://flyingedna.com/

Note: For credit purposes, his NAME is Kai Skye, his PEN NAME (also his previous name) is Brian Andreas, and the site where people can buy his arts is Flying Edna.

Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, 2-3 part harmony plus some extras

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, or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!

The Sunday after this episode is released, August 18th, 2024, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us!

Lyrics ​& Links to the original episodes for the songs in this ribbon.

84. May I Be Open by Heather Pierson

May I be open to things as they are right now, because this is how things are right now.

Remember the breath, remember the body, ​remember the goodness that you carry.

55. Everything Is Changing by Kaitie Ty Warren

Everything is changing. Life keeps rearranging; and sometimes it feels awkward, but we cannot go backward. We cannot go backward.

34. Possibility by Lisa Forkish

An end is not the end, it can be the beginning.

Like a river, I flow.

I am open to all the possibility.

148. Oh the Rain by Patricia Norton

1. Oh the rain, the rain it comes down, and it carries a world in its sound. Oh the rain, oh the rain, it comes down.

2. Some times I feel blue; I’m gonna take a breath or two and soften, let my heart be tender.

3. Softly, gently, let it fall as it will. Softly, gently tender, tender.

139. Bend & Rebound by Heidi Wilson

Bend and rebound, bend and rebound ​Gentle strength of the willow is found

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!

Song: We Got All The Love Music by: Helen Yeoman ​Notes: So many different things going on in this episode! First, in some ways this is a "greatest hit" of the community song world, so maybe you already know it? Helen Yeoman's confident, sweetly harmonized zipper song speaks to what can build and sustain hopefulness -- this knowledge that, in some way, we are exactly where we need to be. I am delighted to welcome onto the podcast my beloved husband of almost 35 years, Tom. He gives us the benefit of his long vocal chords to reach some low notes that are out of my range! Instead of looping this episode, I went back and edited in the alto and tenor parts -- and, oof, the pressure to perfect it, to sing exactly in tune -- I'm not sure I could ever let it go. But here you have the best I could do this week, with the alto panned left and the tenor panned right, soprano and bass in the middle. If it's a song you already know, I hope this gives you great practice; if it's new to you, welcome (and check out the shownotes for other learning options)! Fill in our sound with your voice!!! Songwriter Info: Helen is a well-loved choir leader & composer from the UK. her songs are sung all around the world - literally. She is self-taught and calls on every day events as well as global issues for her inspiration. In 2015 she won the esteemed international UK Songwriters Contest in the gospel category. She has four children and lives in Devon, England. Helen runs workshops and holidays in the UK and Europe and is coming to the USA in September 2024. ​ Sharing Info: When sharing in a money-making venture, like a workshop, class, or performance, please contact Helen for permission and rates. ​ Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:35 Start time of reprise: 00:17:09 Links: All of Helen's music can be found at www.helenyeomans.co.uk Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major with raised 4 & 5, 4-pt 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, or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!

Notes: Joanna and I explore the idea of inviting fear to come closer and be held, through song and word. We talk about how gifts of attention can come from wounds, and therefore be mixed blessings. Joanna describes the "field" she tends in a song circle, and what craves special notice when you live and work with the same person. This was recorded shortly before the political change in the USA when Biden chose not to run for office, so you won't hear us talking about the buoyancy that can come from feeling hopeful... but we do touch on navigating grief and fear! We also talk about one of the huge gifts a group singing can give a songcarrier.... Songwriter Info: Joanna Laws Landis (she/her) is a song-carrier and grief-tender with a deep trust in the transformational healing power of welcome and compassion. Joanna was steeped in song and harmony from her early years: in church, at school and in community choirs. In her late 20s, she discovered the community singing movement and felt a deep alignment with this simple and direct pathway to connection and healing. After collecting a wide library of songs from the midwest to the pacific coast, she has been leading community song circles regularly since 2020. Joanna has recently relocated to the land of her maternal grandmother’s people outside of Asheville, NC where in addition to leading singing & grief-tending, she is deepening her understanding of the body’s innate wisdom for healing with Somatic Experiencing International, and is studying collective trauma integration & facilitation with Thomas Hübl. Sharing Info: You are welcome to share/teach the song in community settings, and Joanna always welcome financial support when it is available. Please contact her for recording and/or performing permission. ​ Links: Listen on Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/joannalawslandis Email Joanna at joannalawslandis@gmail.com Follow Joanna's Grief Tending offerings on Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/o/joanna-laws-landis-amp-will-rogers-30189070512 Donations gratefully received on PayPal or Venmo @joannalawslandis Thomas Huebl trauma integration: Academy of Inner Science https://thomashuebl.com/courses/training-programs/ Robert Frost - 'Writing free verse is like playing tennis with the net down.' https://quoteinvestigator.com/2021/05/24/poem-tennis/ Bliss Is Ordinary podcast – the 4th & 5th episodes are with Laurence Cole: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1939735 Laurence Cole: https://www.laurencecole.com/ Laurence Cole and Ahlay Blakely are also hosting online grief circles:: https://www.healingattheroots.com/onlinemonthlygriefcircles The Cranberries Everyone Else is Doing it So Why Can’t We? Soup: Jook… A Chinese rice porridge with ginger and garlic & maybe chicken. Here’s a Mark Bittman recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1839-jook Lianne La Havas artist – Paper Thin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug3Q9RmFywc Nuts & Bolts: 6:8, harmonic minor, 2-part​ 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!