Laurence Cole, words by Rumi as translated by Coleman Barks. Arranged for guitar with permission by Lisa G. Littlebird.

Don't Go Back To Sleep

***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)

This amazing layer song from Mackenzie Meyers Madrone is pure, empowering music medicine and a joy to sing. The song is built with several parts, with infinite ways of piecing them together for groups of different sizes and experience levels. In this arrangement for Wholehearted Chorus it has been arranged for six vocal parts, with parts 2 and 4 having fewer words and holding more of the drone parts in the song.

Song composed by and copyright Mackenzie Madrone. Arranged for Wholehearted Chorus with permission by Lisa G. Littlebird. Recording by Lisa G. Littlebird.

For lyrics, individual part tracks and more, visit: http://thebirdsings.com/storm-of-change/

Storm Of Change by Mackenzie Madrone

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

A simply amazing song by singer/ songwriter/ songleader Samara Jade. You can hear her original produced version of this song on her album, Waves of Birdsong. It's an ambitious song for oral-tradition chorus with it's melodic range, complexity and lots of words, but we absolutely love it. Having several solos eases lyric learning.

Original song by Samara Jade. Arranged for Wholehearted Chorus by Lisa G. Littlebird. Recording by Lisa G. Littlebird, guitar by Aimee Ringle.

For lyrics, individual part tracks and more, visit: http://thebirdsings.com/unseen-song/

Unseen Song by Samara Jade

Oh boy, what a joy... meet your next favorite infectious and inspiring singalong.

Original song by Laurence Cole, with adaptations in the section section by Zan Moore & Glen Phillips. Lyrics by Thich Nhat Hahn. Brief mashup with Sly and the Family Stone's "If You Want Me to Stay".

Recorded by Glen Phillips & Lisa G. Littlebird.

For lyrics, parts, teaching notes and more, visit:
http://thebirdsings.com/presentmoment/

Dwelling In The Present Moment by Laurence Cole

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

This is a giant blessing of a song from Glen Phillips. An effervescent ode of gratitude for this wild and precious life. There are just two voice parts, high and low, but plenty of little nuance to keep you on your toes. Enjoy...

Original song © Glen Phillips. Recorded by Glen Phillips & Lisa G. Littlebird.

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

Thank You by Glen Phillips

This song is an infectious joy to sing. Ideal with guitar, percussion and other South American instrumental, it's an Andean folk song from South America.

Original song by Los Kjarkas, arranged for Wholehearted Chorus by Lisa G. Littlebird. Recorded here by Lisa G. Littlebird with Rayner Marx on guitar and Edwin Huizinga on violin.

For lyrics, teaching notes and individual part tracks, visit: http://thebirdsings.com/wayayay/

Wayayay by Los Kjarkas

This track is just the highest harmony by itself, once through the chorus. For the full song, visit: visit:
https://thebirdsings.com/hold-everybody-up/

Another powerfully infectious and uplifting song from the great Melanie DeMore. This one speaks to not leaving anyone behind, with nods to two of the great leaders of racial justice, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Madiba (Nelson Mandela).  The chorus of this song by itself is a quick and easy teach, and the song grows in complexity and beauty by adding the two high harmony parts to the choruses as well as two verses and a bridge.

Original song copyright Melanie DeMore. Recorded by Melanie DeMore with Lisa G. Littlebird in February, 2020.

For lyrics, individual voice part tracks and more, visit:
https://thebirdsings.com/hold-everybody-up/

Hold Everybody Up by Melanie DeMore

Now That I Know by Alexandra (Ahlay) Blakely

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 our natural human expression to open our hearts, share our challenges and celebrations and uplift our lives.

Lisa G. Littlebird is the director of the 80-member Wholehearted Chorus in Monterey and Big Sur, 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 opportunities throughout California and beyond.  Learn more at http://thebirdsings.com.

Wayayay by Los Kjarkas

TheBirdSings

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