ubuntu

This song came through Karisha Longaker in the spring of 2025 while in the home of friend and songleader Maggie Wheeler.  Its an easy one to catch and includes a call and response verse along with the main chorus. I like to think of this song as a sweet invitation into "house rules" - not only in the home where we find ourselves, but here on Planet Earth.  It's arranged here by Lisa Littlebird for Wholehearted Chorus to sing with MaMuse, with permission and oversight from the composer.

Original song by Karisha Longaker of MaMuse. ©Karisha Longaker. Free for singing in community, permission required for recording or performing for profit.

For lyrics, individual voice part tracks and more, visit: https://thebirdsings.com/in-this-house/

In This House by MaMuse- Soprano

An anthem from Karisha Longaker of MaMuse about understanding and inclusion. It's arranged here by Lisa Littlebird for Wholehearted Chorus to sing with MaMuse, with permission and oversight from the composer.

Original song by Karisha Longaker of MaMuse. ©Karisha Longaker. Free for singing in community, permission required for recording or performing for profit.

Song For All of Us by MaMuse - ALL PARTS

I credit the artists of my childhood like Crosby, Stills & Nash with teaching me the art of harmony.  This is a true favorite, one of their lesser-known but most beautiful, written by James Raymond. Arranged for Wholehearted Chorus by Lisa G. Littlebird.

For song details, including lyrics, individual voice part tracks and teaching notes, visit: https://thebirdsings.com/lay-me-down

Lay Me Down by James Raymond - ALL PARTS

An easy teach and instant uplift from Karisha Longaker of MaMuse. This song was born from Karisha asking for a song for middle-schoolers, as they look around at each other wondering about how much conformity is required to belong, and how much their authenticity is welcome.

For song details, including lyrics, individual voice part tracks and teaching notes, visit: https://thebirdsings.com/let-it-be-easy

Let it Be Easy by Karisha Longaker - ALL PARTS

Let it Be Easy by Karisha Longaker - High Harmony

A brand new song from Sorah Nutting of MaMuse coming on their new album in October, 2025.  Arranged here for Wholehearted Chorus to backup MaMuse in concert.

For song details, including lyrics, individual voice part tracks and teaching notes, visit: https://thebirdsings.com/through-the-night

Through The Night by MaMuse - ALL PARTS

Melanie DeMore and Lisa G. Littlebird commissioned this song from MaMuse for the "Boots on the Ground, Skin on the Line" community singing playlist in 2021.  What a song they delivered! Here, Lisa has arranged their song with permission for Wholehearted Chorus in three voice parts.  

For song details, including lyrics, individual voice part tracks and teaching notes, visit: https://thebirdsings.com/circle-round/

Circle Round by MaMuse - ALL PARTS

This is a combination of two songs - an original by Lisa G. Littlebird and the iconic Get Together by the Youngbloods. May we all keep learning to walk the path of their timeless lyrics.

For song details, including lyrics, individual voice part tracks and teaching notes, visit: https://thebirdsings.com/starsong-get-together/

Starsong + Get Together by Lisa G. Littlebird & Chet Powers - Low Alto & Tenor

A an early gem from dynamic and wonderful MaMuse. This river song is an ultra-inviting singalong.

Original song by MaMuse. Free for singing in community, get permission from the composer before recording or performing for profit.

For lyrics, individual part tracks and more, visit thebirdsings.com/hallelujah/

Hallelujah by MaMuse - High Part

***NOTE: This recording was updated in June, 2020 to match the composers original. Thanks to Kate Munger and Jody Healy for bringing into my awareness  that my previous recording had some small but significant differences. ***

This simple and potent chant that can be sung in the round. The second section of the melody offers a little challenge in its offbeat rhythmic pattern.

Navajo Prayer, composed by Jody Healy © 2004.

Navajo Prayer (When You Were Born)

A groovy original layer song. The layering can take a little while to learn in groups, but the base layer works well being taught by itself, and it works as a round too (not recorded here.) I wrote the base layer in the bathtub on a day I was having a hard time, but determined to reach through my bad mood and find one completely believable, pure positive statement.

Copyright Lisa G. Littlebird.

This is a recording used as a practice track for the Wholehearted Chorus of Monterey and Big Sur, CA, under the direction of Lisa G. Littlebird. Lyrics and individual part tracks can be found at:
http://thebirdsings.com/i-have-received

I Have Received the Benefit - Middle part

An upbeat, infectious layer song from song leader Laurence Cole. This song is a part of his album of the same name, available for purchase at http://www.laurencecole.com/buy/

This is a recording used as a practice track for the Wholehearted Chorus of Monterey and Big Sur, CA, under the direction of Lisa G. Littlebird. Lyrics and individual part tracks can be found at:
http://thebirdsings.com/this-fire

This Fire by Laurence Cole - High part

This Fire by Laurence Cole - Low part

This Fire by Laurence Cole - Middle Low part

This Fire by Laurence Cole

*Track Updated 6/27/25*
Influenced by the Gullah tradition active in composer Sarah Nutting's Carolina homeland, it's part gospel, part hoedown, and major joy. This song is in a mostly 2-3 voice part arrangement that shifts between voicings and has several solo opportunities on the verses.

Original song by Sarah Nutting of MaMuse. ©Sarah Nutting. Please support the artist by purchasing their released version of this song on MaMuse's album Heart Nouveau.  These practice tracks were recorded over the original MaMuse track by Lisa G. Littlebird, up a half step from the original.

For individual part tracks, lyrics and more, visit:
http://thebirdsings.com/through-that-gate/

Through That Gate by MaMuse - ALL PARTS

Lisa G is a songcatcher. She holds a vision for a world where singing is once again an integral part of daily community life. May we use this most ancient technology to meet life's challenges and celebrations, open our hearts, and uplift our lives.

Lisa G. Littlebird is the director of the 250-member Wholehearted Chorus in Carmel and San Diego, CA. She has been on the faculty as a community singing facilitator at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA since 2006. She is a singer, composer and teacher with more than 30 years of musical experience, facilitating community singing as medicine for our world.  Learn more at http://thebirdsings.com.

I Have Received the Benefit - Middle part

TheBirdSings

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