And The Moon Goes Down

02 Beyoutiful (W Harmonies)

written for the musical TOM but it didn't make the cut. It is part of the concert Songs in the Key of Tom though. ds

The Mourning Dove

13 The Blue Guide

written for the 2010 Ice and Fire Carnival in Regina, spearheaded by New Dance Horizons

Just Passing Through (voice)

An all-student version of Beyoutiful from Be Our Ally. Some of the singers also were involved in the writing of the song with singer-songwriter david sereda in spring of 2014. Believe in your voice. And wear your happy socks to the studio! Thanks to Avenue A and Ian Holm for recording us, to David Gray at Big World Studio who mixed and produced the track and João Carvalho at João Carvalho Mastering, Toronto. Big thanks to all the GSAs teacher leads and special thanks to Deanne Hallman who helped direct the choir on the day!

Student Beyoutiful Master

this demo, from many years ago, is of a song I'd love to record fully. it seems right to share it, now.

02 Find A Rose

This song from TOM and the concerts THE WOODS ARE BURNING and SONGS IN THE KEY OF TOM spotlights Tom Thomson's urge to live to the fullest. Featuring Sandra Swannell on violin, Ken Whiteley on mandolin, Tyler Wagler on bass and Keira McArthur on cello. david sereda on piano and lead vocals.

image: Soft Maple in Autumn (1914) (detail)

by Tom Thomson (Canadian 1877 – 1917)
oil on plywood / 25.5 x 17.8 cm
Collection of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Owen Sound 
gift of Louise (Thomson) Henry, sister of Tom Thomson, 1967

Photo credit: Michelle Wilson

no one lives forever

from my first recording, captured live in Vancouver, BC in 1981. Strange to time travel, and hear my younger self singing. I get chills when I hear the audience join in, stronger and stronger. Thanks to EH for the digital version and request to post it here.

I Wept With Wonder

El Seven Night Club

My Foolish Heart

This song reminded me that every age needs songs to wake people up to their common humanity, the fact that we all have a voice, and that speaking out against injustice and working to right wrongs are crucial. We have the opportunity to do this where in many many parts of the world, people do not. I'm currently writing songs: Songs to sing in a storm, because I believe we are living in a storm. 
My version of the song I learned many years ago at the Regina Folk Festival, and I've changed some words, as others have done since the 1860s. Here's the lyrics, origiinally by Anna Bartlett Warner, music by Robert Lowry.

HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?
My life flows on in endless song
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear a real though far-off hymn
It hails a re-creation
Above the tumult and the strife
I hear that music ringing
It sounds an echo in my soul:
How can I keep from singing

What though the tempest loudly blow
I hear the truth, it liveth
What though the darkness ‘round me grow
Songs in the night it giveth
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I’m clinging
While love rules over heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing

When tyrants tremble sick with fear
And freedom songs come ringing*
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing
In prison cells and dungeons vile
Our thoughts to them go winging
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing

My life flows on in endless song
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear a real though far off hymn
It hails a re-creation
Above the tumult and the strife
I hear that music ringing
It sounds an echo in my soul:
How can I keep from singing
How can I keep from singing
How can I keep from singing…


original words by Anna Bartlett Warner, music by Robert Lowry; this version adapted by david sereda

*the verse with the tyrants was added by Doris Plenn, the original second line being "and hear their death-knells ringing" which I don't want to sing. I'd rather the tyrants live, look out their window and see and hear freedom in action. When I sing it, I repeat How can I Keep Form Singing, to get people… singing

(photo © by John Fearnall/Good Noise w Keira McArthur, Daniel Peloquin-Hopfner, Coco Love Alcorn, david, Daniel Jordan and Sheena Rattai. Tyler Wagler was there in spirit! This was an unexpected a cappella rendition of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot one sweet Summerfolk night in Owen Sound)

How Can I Keep From Singing

recorded, impromptu, at the Sing in a Storm song workshop in Grey County, March 4, 2018. One take. The singers are hearing the song beyond the first verse for the first time. Part of a group of songs written in 2017-18 thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council's music creation grant. more to come! And, of course, thanks to the singers

My Heart Yearns For Light

the blue guide

anything is possible

this is a song of hope, that came to me at a very dark time. I've had the delight of singing it with some wonderful musicians and choirs like the Vancouver Men's Chorus, The Montreal Jubilation Choir and The Nova Scotia Mass Choir. Here singing with the Echo Women's Choir in Toronto.

this is a song of hope.
(photo @ 2020 by John Fearnall/Good Noise, taken at Summerfolk)

The Blue Guide

Powerful Love

david plays music to move you, in concerts, festivals and stray dog salons across canada and beyond.

davidsereda

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