I first learned this song from a friend in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Buddhism. 
Later I learned that this song is originally by Eric Bogle, and became popular as a freedom song during the South African Anti-Apartheid movement. 
Here are the original lyrics:

Courage my friend
You do not walk alone
I will walk with you 
And send your spirit home

In Plum VIllage they sing it as "Courage Dear Brother" / "Courage Dear Sister" instead of "Courage My Friend"

I added a third verse, Courage Dear Sangha, as well as an additional part with original words and music to follow each verse. Sangha means community. Here are the lyrics to the full song:

Courage dear brother
You do not walk alone
I will walk with you 
And send your spirit home

I will walk with you
Until the very end
I will walk with you
And with a song your heart mend

Courage dear sister
You do not walk alone
I will walk with you
And send your spirit home

I will walk with you
Into the great unknown
I will walk with you
On this road, back to our home

Courage dear sangha
We do not walk alone
We are all connected
In spirit, flesh and bone

We will walk together
Until our work is done
We will walk together
Hand in hand, all beings one

This is a great song to sing for closing circles. For men's circles I like to teach the group just the first verse.

Eric Bogle - Courage My Friend [New Words and Music by Art Bravo]

When the outside world gets too noisy, turn inward and listen for the Original Sound.

Return, return, return…

All sounds created entirely with voice and a looper pedal and finessed in Ableton.

Stay connected for more music and inspiration:
Spotify: Maité La Muse
Instagram: @maitelamuse
Website: www.maitelamuse.com
email: contact@maitelamuse.com

Listen For The Sound - Maité La Muse

Lyrics & Composition: Mina Lee
Bass: Nick Logan
Recording: Kanoa Withington
Mixing: Mina Lee & Joey Bradley

Subhana

Recording of Jonathan Bell and I singing a song by Phosphorescent

Song for Zula- Phosphorescent cover

Hawaiian Water Blessing

Dream- Priscilla Ahn cover

Hallelujah- MaMuse cover

This Moment

Eye of the Storm

Life is a Gift

I Am Only Love

Mahina Lee is a Big Island based singer-songwriter and sacred song circle facilitator. As a deep listener for her inner truth, she creates and offers simple modern day mantras for reopening the heart and claiming our power to create new realities with affirmations of loving awareness.

Subhana

mahina lee

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