In this rendition of Empty Chairs at Empty Tables from Les Miserables,  I've changed a few of the words so that it does not evoke those lost during the French Revolution (as the original lyrics do), but rather brings to mind the enormous, tragic and ongoing losses of this pandemic.
It seems to me that most Americans have gone numb from unacknowledged cultural grief - pretending that this pandemic is somehow "over" - because they are unable to face the reality of so much intense suffering. 
I aspire to help those of us who are numb (most of us) face and feel the enormous loss, as well as provide a measure of comfort for those who have lost family members as well as health.

Empty Chairs At Empty Tables

The first time I heard this song I knew I had to record it. 
Grateful to Makana for this arrangement
https://www.makanamusic.com/
and to John Henry for his joyful guitar rendition. https://johnhenrysguitar.com/music/

Dennis Kamakahi wrote this while walking in the lushness of Molokai'i.
The "fair skinned woman" refers to the waterfall he saw when the mist parted.

English Translation:

Crown flower by the shore 
Of Honouliwai 
Fair skinned woman in the bosom of Moloka'i  is the best
Beautiful waterfalls of the upland 
Hina, Hähä and Mo'oloa 
The three waters in the verdant overgrowth 
Of Kamalö, in the calm
Beautiful is the land, Halawa 
Hospitable home to the visitors
 Land verdant, in the evening mist 
Brought by the wind of Ho'olua

Wahine 'Ilikea

"God is Love, Lover & Beloved".
 I learned this chant many years ago from Sufi Ruhaniat and
 in the Dances of Universal Peace. People all over the world sing
 and chant to this spellbinding chant. Inspired by this all-embracing message, a few years ago I recorded this chant.

Being of Light

Ishq Allah Ma'bud Lillah ~ Forever to Remember

Comfort & Joy ~ Sacred Songs of Christmas
CarolAnn Barrows ~ vocals
Allison Joy Jacobs ~ piano

Comfort & Joy

O Sanctissima

What Child Is This

Joy To The World

Angels We Have Heard On High

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Lo, How A Rose E're Bloomin

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Mevlidi Sherif Symphony English
“Divine is beautiful and loves what is beautiful.”
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
“Our heartfelt prayer is that this music serves to awaken people of all religious traditions to the sacred musical treasures of Islam and that it contributes to interfaith harmony.” CarolAnn Barrows & Taylor Kroff

The Mevlidi Sherif, the finest expression of reverence for Muhammad (pbuh), forms an essential part in the religious instruction of most Turkish minds. We hope that this new symphony will foster an interest and understanding of the Muslim soul, even for many who have little direct contact with the world of Islam. Considering how Christians feel about their Christmas carols provides some understanding of what the Mevlidi Sherif (or mawlud) means to Muslims.

Over 500 years ago Süleyman Çelebi, from the Great Mosque at Bursa, wrote the Mevlidi Sherif (then entitled Vesiletu’n-necat) so that Turks would have access to the magical, mystical story of their beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), which had previously only been available in Arabic.

Over the centuries this epic poem has been recited and sung in Mosques and in homes; on countless occasions of rejoicing and sorrow, such as births, weddings, house blessings, graduations, and especially to celebrate the Night of Power and the Birthday (mawlid) of Muhammad (pbuh). Some consider it to be the most frequently recited poem in the world.

In 1942, as an act of interfaith and goodwill, Mr. F. Lyman MacCallum, a Christian missionary who was born in Turkey to missionary parents, translated into English this epic poem and published it in a journal dedicated to promoting East/West understanding. This was a remarkable artistic feat as MacCallum stayed true to the traditional Turkish poetic meter, mathnawī of fâ’ilâtün fâ’ilâtün fâ’ilün, as well as holding fast to the authentic meaning of the original text.

In 2015, Dr. Timuçin Çevikoğlu, from Ankara University in Turkey, discovered MacCallum’s English translation of this most beloved poem. With the intention to help those in the west better understand the very heart of Islam, he invited sacred music singer, Ms. CarolAnn Barrows from Maui, Hawaii, USA to be the first person to ever sing the Mevlidi Sherif in English. He asked her to compose music that would appeal to western sensibilities. Ms. Barrows interviewed many composers to assist her. It wasn’t until she heard from Mr. Taylor Kroff from Austin, Texas, U.S.A., that she knew she’d found the right person for the task. Using digital technology they were able to work together, even though thousand of miles apart. They amended and re-translated the text of the original English version of the poem and composed the Mevlidi Sherif Symphony ~ in English. The recording is now available online all over the world. 

“This music was born out of our desire to help non-Muslims appreciate the love all Muslims have for their Prophet Muhammad (pbuh); to create greater understanding and peace among nations. We are not suggesting that anyone change their faith, but rather that greater world peace will be achieved by understanding and accepting the faith of others. We pray that this music will serve to remove the boundaries which divide different religious faiths by bringing to full light the underlying wisdom with which they are all united.” CarolAnn Barrows & Taylor Kroff

11 The Heavenly Journey Part 1

10 Recitative, The Miracles Part 2 and Recitative

8 The Birth Part 3 and Recitative

7 The Birth Part 2 and Recitative

6 Recitative

5 The Birth Part 1

4 Recitative

3 The Prophetic Succession

2 Introduction and The Fatiha

1 Opening and Recitative

Singer and Songwriter, CarolAnn Barrows has been singing since the day she was born. Her name, translated from French means “Song of Joy and Grace.” As a child she was always singing – at home, in school choirs and in church. She sang as an angel in a Christmas play and thereafter many audience members would praise her work by saying, “She sings like an angel!”
Now gratefully making her home on Maui, Hawai'i, CarolAnn is a fourth-generation Seattleite with six albums to her credit. She has performed in all of the great Seattle venues including the Paramount, the Fifth Avenue, McCaw Hall Opera House, the Intiman Theatre, and the Key Arena.

CarolAnnBarrows

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