Ancestor Song came through in Spring 2022 when I was walking with my dad. At this point in his dementia, he said a lot of odd things. On that particular day he said “my mother of ten thousand names”. What was he trying to say? To a “normal” brain it didn’t make sense, but it was so poetic that I knew I needed to put the line in a song. So, just like that my dad and I were collaborating in songwriting and he didn’t even know it. Thank you ancestors, thank you angels, thank you Dad!

Ancestor Song

A traditional South African song of prayer and celebration.

Babethandaza

A fabulous song of community and connection that works great with drums, guitar and any instruments on hand. The guitar chords are extremely simple (A & E), the melody is easy to learn and words are inspiring. The chorus is an easy, joyful singalong that makes for a great concert or song circle closer.

Song composed by and copyright Rising Appalachia. Arrangement slightly modified for Wholehearted Chorus by Lisa G. Littlebird. Recording by Lisa G. Littlebird with Zan Moore on guitar.

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

Wider Circles by Rising Appalachia

This beautiful chant from Nigeria is sung in the Yoruba language. A favorite to sing with my Shruti box layering in harmonies as we go. 

Arrangement by Heather Houston
To learn the individual parts to this song, please visit my Public Song Library:
https://heatherhoustonmusic.com/sisters-in-harmony-song-library/

This song is in the public domain.

Meaning: 
God's good work will never be destroyed. I like to think of it as the Creator's beautiful work lives on for eternity.

Lyrics:

Ise oluwa
Kole baje oh
Ise oluwa
Kole baje oh
Kole baje oh
Kole baje oh
Ise oluwa
Kole baje oh

Ise Oluwa - All Parts - Key of B flat

The Earth Delights - Heather Houston

Original Poetry by Khalil Gibran

A beautiful reminder of the intimate dance we do with the more than human world. This has been a favorite quote of mine for over 20 years, and I woke up one morning this Spring with this sweet little melody moving through. I love the syncopation of the harmonies. It's so fun to play with the rhythm of this one. A fun challenge for my circles of singing women, and yours! 

To learn the individual parts to this song, please visit my Public Song Library:
https://heatherhoustonmusic.com/sisters-in-harmony-song-library/

© 2019 Heather Houston
All rights reserved

Lyrics:

The earth delights to feel your bare feet
And the wind longs to play with your hair.

The Earth Delights - All Parts

Chant to Nana Buruku by Heather Houston

In the Yoruba traditions, Nana is the Great Grandmother of all the Orishas, and the Grandmother of our sacred waters, and the Mother of the Universe. This wise and revered Orisha embodies the spirit of the earth, the moon, the rain, mud, swamps and fresh spring waters. She is the energy of transformative healing powers. She watches over the women and is the protector of everything female. It is said that she has very little patience for men and surrounds herself mainly with priestesses. Women find comfort in her knowledge and strength. They flock to her for guidance and spiritual healing.

For many years I chanted chants to Nana with my teacher Alba Lirio. One day when I was driving through the hills of Marin, tending to my broken heart, an original melody flowed through me with lyrics to Nana. I clearly needed the healing energy she brings, and have been forever grateful for the gift of this chant. The women in my circles adore it as well.

Lyrics:

Part 1: (the round)
Eh na na Eh na na Eh na na, Eh na na Eh na na Eh

Part 2: (the hight part)
Eh di na na eh wa
Eh wa eh wa
Eh wa eh wa eh

Part 3: (the low part)
Eh di na na eh wa
Eh wa eh wa
Eh wa eh wa

Chant to Nana - All Parts

This song moved through me, for you, for all of us on Easter 2020. What you are hearing is the song in raw form, unrehearsed, first time I ever sang it, recorded on my iPhone. I have no time or need or desire to perfect anything. May it be an invitation for you, as it was for me, to pause in the perfection of the present moment. 

You can find the practice tracks on my website. www.heatherhoustonmusic.com

Lyrics

Right here now, in this present moment,
right here now, I am singing
Right here now in this present moment,
right here now, I am breathing

Pause with the exhale, let go surrender

All is well, I am held in the arms of Love
​​​​​​​All is well, I am held by the One

Right here now, this is holy ground
Right here now, this is sacred sound

© Heather Houston
04/2020
All rights reserved

Heather Houston's Album

Right Here Now by Heather Houston (all parts)

This song was recorded live at Esalen at the first Singing on the Edge retreat in 2018. This is an orginal song by Debbie Narg-Brown. Debbie is the lead singer on this track and if you listen closely you will hear Lisa G. Littlebird and Barbara McAfee in the background singing as well as retreat participants. Glen Phillips on guitar and Emile Hassan Dyer on drums. To learn more about Debbie's music go to www.debbienargi-brown.com

Put Back Together Again/I Will Let My Heart be Broken

A tribute to our beautiful Mother Earth. This one flowed through on a warm Spring day with the energy of gratitude in my heart! Sung in a round. 

Lyrics:
Oh Mama Gaia
Oh Mama Gaia
Oh Mama Gaia
We sing our praise to you!

Mama Gaia - Heather Houston

An elegant, mystical, circular song flowed through me for the Winter Solstice of 2020, inviting us to trust the wisdom of our own hearts. Enjoy! 

Sung here in the Key of B flat (if you use a Shruti) The singing bowl is in D

You are welcome to share this song with others. Recording is not permitted. Thank you. 

Lyrics:

The answer lies within me
Deep within my heart
The wisdom I am seeking
Divine love will impart
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen

© Heather Houston
12/20/2020
All rights reserved 

www.heatherhoustonmusic.com

Listen — Heather Houston - Key of B flat

I offer this chant as a powerful practice of presencing. In the dark, difficult, and uncertain times, one of the most powerful tools I’ve found is to chant mantra. Mantra, that which protects the mind, helps us to enter into a one-pointed concentration, thus quieting the looping stories and the fears.

Choose one part and stick to it throughout, and notice how you feel afterward. This is also a beautiful one to sing with a large group of people.

Hamsa so hum translates as “I Am That” in Sanskrit. In Vedic philosophy, it means identifying oneself with the universe or ultimate reality. The Soham mantra has been called the universal mantra because of the fact that its vibration is already a part of the breath, and everybody breathes. Sooooo… is the sound of inhalation, and Hummmm… is the sound of exhalation.

Hamsa means white swan. The swan, of course, is an ancient symbol of spiritual grace and purity. The mantra is called White Swan because when the in-breath and out-breath are freed and purified, they are like the wings of a swan helping our spirits to soar. The Hamsa mantra helps us find the grace within and carries us beyond our limited concepts.

Lyrics:

Hamsa so hum, hamsa so hum

I am that I am that I am, I am that I am that I am

So hum, so hum, so hum, so hum

I am this breath, I am this voice

I am a bird of light, I am a bird in flight

© November 2019
Heather Houston
All rights reserved

Bird of Light

Bird Of Light (Official) - Heather Houston

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.

Wider Circles by Rising Appalachia

TheBirdSings

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