Leave Your Troubles at the Water

Roadblock  by Debbie Nargi-Brown

Part 1 
This is a roadblock, not the end of the road
When I get knocked down, I get back up again

Part 2
I don’t care what you’ve been told
Now is the time to take back control
This is not the end of your dreams
Life is not, what it seems

Part 3
Faith, Hope to Believe
Faith, Hope to Receive

This is a live recording at Song Village 2022.

Roadblock

This I know: 
That my body is a vessel for the song
Let the drum beat through me
Let the great bells ring through me
Sing through me

Vessel for the Song

threshold

This gorgeous melody from Jennifer Levenhagen was further beautified by Annie Zylstra who added the polyphonic harmonies, making this an ethereal gem, and a bit more challenging to sing than others in current oral tradition repertoire.

Original song copyright Jennifer Levenhagen, arrangement by Annie Zylstra. Recorded here by Lisa G. Littlebird for Wholehearted Chorus.

For lyrics, individual part tracks and more, visit: http://thebirdsings.com/most-beautiful-sky

Most Beautiful Sky by Jennifer Levenhagen and Annie Zylstra

For Pittsburgh and Squirrel Hill. In service of our healing and collective freedom in the midst of intense white nationalist violence in the form of transphobia, racism, sexism, and anti-semitism.  As a reminder that more police and "security" do not make us safer, especially for those of us who hold multiple targeted identities.  We will only win when we are all together.

Lyrics:
we are a beautiful people
though our hearts are broken
we sing for justice, and wholeness

we are a beautiful people
though our hearts are broken
we know that we are not alone
right here we are home

you have taken a universe
you have taken a mountain
our voices echo in the hills

they will not divide us
we will not abide this
we know that together we'll be free
mourning tragedy
our safety is with each other

we are a beautiful people
though our hearts are broken
we sing for justice, and wholeness

we are a beautiful people
though our hearts are broken
we know that we are not alone
right here we are home

toch emunei am segulah (repeated)

hebrew translation: 
from lecha dodi, a prayer greeting shabbes:
among those who hold faith, a treasured nation

gratitude to Chana Rusanov for hebrew lyrics and translation.
gratitude for Rachel Beck for leading me on my own journey against anti-semitism for seven years now
gratitude for Dove Kent, JFREJ, and so so many other brilliant teachers leading us towards solidarity
gratitude for our allies who take the time and effort to see the realities of systemic anti-semitism
gratitude for life, for existence, and the capacity to heal.

Aly Halpert's Album

Beautiful People (Toch Emunei)

A beautiful welcome song, to all the lost parts of ourselves and each other. These compassionate words from Rumi always seem to hit home... the invitation to come back, again and again, no matter how many times we lose our way. I have heard many variations of this song and this version arranged by Glen Phillips is now my favorite. This vocal arrangement is in three voices, a low and high women's part and the men's part holds the melody.

Words by Rumi and original music by Sudhananda. Arranged & adapted by Glen Phillips, arranged for Wholehearted Chorus by Lisa G. Littlebird. Recording by Glen Phillips & Lisa G. Littlebird.

For lyrics, individual part tracks and more, visit:
http://thebirdsings.com/comecome/

Come Come

Artist: Peter McKenna
I learned it from Adamah (Jewish Farming Fellowship) in 2014. 

Sung at a song circle on January 1, 2019 on Chinook land/Portland, OR.

Part 1:
There is so much magnificence in the ocean
The waves are comin' in
Waves are comin' in

Part 2:
Wash me away
So that all that's left is love
Great Spirit

Part 3:
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Part 4:
Hallelu, Hallelujah (x3)

Magnificence (Peter McKenna)

Artist: Thee Silver Mount Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-La-La Band 
I learned at Adamah (Jewish Farming Fellowship) in 2014.

Sung at a song circle on January 1, 2019 on Chinook land/Portland, OR.

Lyrics:
When the world is sick
Can't no one be well
But I dreamt we were all beautiful and strong

When The World Is Sick (Thee Silver Mount Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-La-La Band)

Written in 2003 for a dear friend's wedding, it has since then, been sung for baby blessings, funerals, at the closing of groups, and even at other people's weddings.

Hold You in Our Circle

The ethereal voices of Yala Lati meet the colorful voice of Heather Houston for a rainbow of sonic delight! Calling you home to the sacred circle of sisterhood, this album is a symphony for the innermost tendrils of the heart. 

We are sisters of the moon 
And daughters of the sun
We are mothers of the world
Our voices they are one
We are lovers of the earth 
and guardians of the land
We are weavers of the dream 
Together we are standing

For parts to these songs, please visit Heather's public song library at:
https://heatherhoustonmusic.com/sisters-in-harmony-song-library/

12 - Re - Wild My Soul

To learn more about Debbie Nargi-Brown and to listen to more of her music:

Roadblock

Debbie Nargi-Brown

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