Category Archives: song-page-v4-acf

song-page-v4-acf

We Shall Come Together Singing

Words and Music By Maggie Wheeler

Lyrics

How shall we come together?
We shall come together singing.
When shall we come together?
We shall come together now.

How shall we hold the suffering?
We shall hold the suffering singing.
When shall hold the suffering?
We shall hold the suffering now.

How shall we light the darkness?
We shall light the darkness singing.
When shall we light the darkness?
We shall light the darkness now.

How shall we teach the children?
We shall teach the children singing.
When shall we teach the children?
We shall teach the children now.

How shall we rise above it?
We shall rise above it singing.
When shall we rise above it?
We shall rise above it now.

How shall we come together?
We shall come together singing.
When shall we come together?
We shall come together now.




Notes

This song celebrates the power of singing together – through it all! It can be sung as a simple call and response (italicized lyrics are the response), as in the Mix 1 version. Or it can be done as in Mix 2 with one section singing four lines: How shall we, Come together, When shall we, We shall come together now, and a second section singing at the same time all of the words from Mix 1. The Part 1 recording has just the melody. Multiple harmonies can be sung for each part.

Words and music by Maggie Wheeler. Used with permission. www.maggiewheeler.net


Song Variations

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Mix 2

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Part 1

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This Fire

By Laurence Cole

Lyrics

none

Part 1

This fire is the power of kindness and gratitude
This fire is the power of love and forgiveness



Parts 2 and 3
Burning away everything
that stands in the way of love

Parts 4 and 5
This fire brings purification
This fire is healing the nations
This fire, this fire is love


Notes

This is a great song to sing while circled around a fire, but candles will do! The light and warmth of the fire illumines and purifies whatever stands in the way of love.

It’s ideal to teach each part separately and then divide the group into 5 sections. Part 1 is the engine and easiest. Parts 4 and 5, which are optional, are the most difficult and need a few minutes to get it down. Starting notes for parts 1-5 are B flat, B flat, F, F and B flat up an octave.

Words and music by Laurence Cole. Used with permission. www.laurencecole.com


All Parts Mix

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Parts

Part 1

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Part 2

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Part 3

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Part 4

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Part 5

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Weave and Spin

By Starhawk

Lyrics

Part 1

Weave and spin, weave and spin

This is how our work begins

Mend and heal, mend and heal

Take the dream and make it real



Part 2

Strand by strand

Hand over hand

Thread by thread

We weave our web




Notes

In the spiral of the Work That Reconnects this song perches at the transition from Seeing With New Eyes (seeing how we are interwoven in the web of life), and Going Forth (mending, healing, making our dreams real).

Teach both parts, have half the group sing each of the parts simultaneously, and then switch, so that both halves get to sing each part and learn the whole song. 
  
  
Weaving by Karolina Daria. 


Song and Parts

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Part 1

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Part 2

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Three Dimensions

By Gretchen Sleicher

Lyrics

Hold the line, hold the line, hold the line, preserve life!

Transform our consciousness, flex those imaginal cells!

Create new gaian ways and mix in the old ones, the best of the old ones!




Notes

Singing this simple layer song helps us imprint into our bodies and memories one of the most helpful of Joanna Macy’s teachings — the three dimensions of the Great Turning: holding actions, shift in consciousness, and new gaian structures. All are necessary, none alone is enough, and bless every action in any of these dimensions that anyone is taking!

Holding actions are those that slow the damage to the Earth and its beings, and include political, legislative, and legal work, as well as direct actions such as boycotts and civil disobedience.

The Great Turning requires a fundamental shift in worldview and values that includes an understanding of our profound interconnectedness and widened circles of belonging.

Analysis of the structural causes of our current crisis leads to creation of new alternative structures that enhance life in Gaia — like ecovillages, local currencies and vibrant local economies.

The parts in this recording start on G (lowest), B (up an octave – highest) and D (middle), respectively. You can also switch the order and go G – D – B, ascending.

Words and music by Gretchen Sleicher. Used with permission.


Song with All Parts

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Part 1

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Part 2

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Part 3

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Compassionate Eyes

By Linda Allen

Lyrics

May my hands do the work I was sent here to do

May my ears know the truth from the lies
May my voice speak for justice, may I walk unafraid

May I see through compassionate eyes




Notes

Words and music by Linda Allen. Used with permission. www.lindasongs.com

Song (courtesy of performer)

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Where There is No Vision

By Fay White / Gretchen Sleicher

Lyrics

Where there is no vision the people perish
Where there is no dreaming the people die
Trust your heart vision, trust your dream
Keep the light in your eye

What’s been seen cannot be unseen
What you know can’t be unknown
Time to take the dream back to the people
Give your gifts to the world




Notes

Vision quests and the Work That Reconnects both invite us to find and live our vision, our unique way of contributing to the Great Turning. Songs like these can support us in going forth with our dreams.

This round sounds better sung in only two parts, with the second one coming in after the first two lines.

First verse and music by Fay White (fwmusic@netconnect.com.au). Second verse by Gretchen Sleicher.  Used with permission.

Eye of the Forest image copyright: verastuchelova / 123RF Stock Photo.
Used with permission. Licensee: Dennis Rivers.


Song

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Parts

Part 1

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For The Children

By Laurence Cole

Lyrics

Do what’s right for the children

Don’t abandon them along the way

The ripples that come back from leaving them behind

Would be more than anyone can pay




Notes

Words by Laurence Cole and Deanna Pumplin. Music by Laurence Cole, Gretchen Sleicher, and Aimee Ringle. Used with permission.

Song (Three parts mix)

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Part 1 – Melody (alto and bass)

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Part 2 – Soprano harmony

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Part 3 – Tenor harmony

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Fool’s Journey

By Gretchen Sleicher

Lyrics

Jump into the fool’s journey
Crack open the heart-mind – Poosh!
Honoring pain for the world weaves us in her web
Ground in beauty and gratitude, oh yes!


Notes

This song was written as the theme song of a retreat with Joanna Macy for facilitators of the Work That Reconnects. It’s a layer song, with each part corresponding to a point on the spiral, going backwards from Going Forth. At the end of the retreat each participant voiced what might constitute their “fool’s leap”. What bold step into the unknown can you commit to taking, for the Great Turning? Creating this website was part of the author’s leap.

Words and music by Gretchen Sleicher. Used with permission.

Song and Parts

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Parts

Mix

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Part 1

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Part 2

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Part 3

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Part 4

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May You Walk

Written and performed by Betsy Rose

Lyrics

May you walk in your life as a warrior
Clear and loving and strong
May you walk in your life as a warrior
Trusting the path you are on   

May you walk in your life as a healer
…

May you walk in your life as a lover
…

May you walk in your life as a woman
…


Notes

You can add your own variations to the last word of lines 1 and 3 of each verse, and use it as a Going Forth song to support each other’s commitment to our paths in the Great Turning.

Words and music by Betsy Rose. Used with permission. www.betsyrosemusic.org


Song

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Don’t Go Back to Sleep

Anonymous

Lyrics

Parts 1 and 2

Don’t, don’t go back to sleep



Part 3

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you
Don’t go back to sleep
You must ask for what you really want
Don’t go back to sleep
The door is round and open
Where the two worlds meet
Step across the threshold
Don’t go back to sleep
Don’t go back to sleep
Don’t go back to sleep




Notes

Based on Rumi’s poem, The Breeze At Dawn, this song reminds us to keep our eyes open, ask for what we truly want and stay awakened! When leading this song in a large group, get the voices going on the background chant, Parts 1 and 2, and sing Part 3 over this as a descant. It also works well sung in a circle, echoing the image of a “round and open” door we step through as we go forth.

In this recording, the Part 1 starts on B, with the harmony up a minor third on D.

Beautiful garden gate image found at : mykindafairytalee.tumblr.com.


Song and Parts

Garden Gate at Dawn
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Parts

Mix

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Part 1

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Part 2

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Part 3

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