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The Sunday after this episode is released, October 25th, 2026, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us!   Lyrics ​& Links to the original episodes for the songs in this ribbon.   CALLING US IN by Meg Chittenden   *May our path* lead us towards one another. *May our song* guide us home to ourselves.   Calling us in. Calling us in again. *Help us remember  how to begin again*   2. May our hope May our joy   Trusting our grief that is our gateway to heal again.   3. May the sun May the moon   Heeding the voice of the true light within again.   4. May this land May the seed WALK ME HOME by Una McCann   ​Oh wind blow away the doubt  circling around my head instead Let me know the blessing  of my feet upon the ground   Chorus (2x) (And) walk me home,  (And) walk me home,  (And) walk me home again   Oh moon shine a silver light  illuminating all that I would hide  Guide me through the shadows,  trusting in the steps before me    Chorus ................. Over and over,  your touch at my shoulder,  guiding me homeward again ................. Oh mountain, be kind to me,  shelter me from storms that would arise,  wise and silent,  you show me how to follow through   Chorus   STANDING STONE by Melanie DeMore   I will be your standing stone. I will stand by you.     THE LAND OF ODEN unknown, folk tradition   In the land of Oden, there stands a mountain, ten thousand miles in the air.   A little bird comes winging once ev’ry million years and sharpens its beak  on the mountain and quickly disappears.   And when that mountain has worn away, this til eternity will be one single day. THANK YOU by Barbara McAfee based on quote by  medieval theologian Meister Eckhart   If the only prayer you ever said was thank you, thank you…   that would be prayer enough for the rest of your life! MUSIC by Matthew Myer Boulton   We are going  to a place where music falls and fills up everything;   and though it might be a long time, I know it’s gonna be alright, ‘cause we’ve already started to sing.   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: Turn, from The Book of Rounds Lyrics by: Julie Flanders Music by: Emil Adler   Notes: You can find different arrangements of this round, but here it is in its beautiful simplicity as a song you can carry on walks and in the middle of the night...learn it slowly with me, letting it sink in, and then let it sing inside you as it has for me over the past decade, connecting, settling, assuring me that I'm already home in some fundamental way. Then maybe go sing along with the Vancouver Youth Choir! Songs that help us navigate life, feel connected, remember into what can be beautiful with humans...   Songwriter Info: American Prize-winning Composer Emil Adler, Poet/Lyricist/Conceptor Julie Flanders and Vocalist/Producer Marina Belica of October Project offer a new repertoire of choral music with a message. Known to millions for the poetry and aural beauty of their recordings, The Book of Rounds: 21 Songs of Grace, conceived of and written by Flanders & Adler, has become a choral viral sensation. Written to promote feelings of well-being, each of the 21 songs of The Book of Rounds is a fugue of positive messages set into musical rounds that strengthen and expand those messages with each repetition. A post of the round “Turn”performed by the Vancouver Youth Choir, the largest youth choir in Canada, to the one million followers of Daily Choirs online, resulted in an outpouring of interest from choirs across the globe. It has since been sung by thousands of singers and achieved significant acclaim. The songs have moved beyond classrooms and concert halls to spiritual and healing communities including music therapy, hospice (The Threshold Choir), Alzheimer and dementia patients (Canada’s nationwide Voices in Motion organization) as well as in refugee camps around the world. Setting up a space of calm within the chaos, where children can have access to art, books and music, aid workers have shared The Book of Rounds at such refugee camps as Lesvos, Greece, the Sinjar district of Northern Iraq and at a camp for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, where, in spite of the language differences, the beauty and comforting embrace of the rounds helps soothe displaced and traumatized children. Recipient of the 2020 ACDA Genesis Prize, with Venezuelan-born composer, Carlos Cordero, Flanders’ earlier choral work, Holding Our Breath, was debuted in 2021 by Conspirare (Craig Hella Johnson) and has since been performed worldwide, including at the Kennedy Center (Eugene Rogers & EXIGENCE) and Carnegie Hall, also winning awards for young choirs across the world. A #1 best-selling poet on Amazon, Flanders has authored four collections of poetry and originated the international October Project Annual Poetry Contest, now in its 9th year, attracting thousands of entries in conjunction with National “April is Poetry Month.” With messages of hope, comfort, belonging and healing that resonate today with more urgency than ever before, Julie Flanders, Emil Adler and Marina Belica of October Project are on a mission to bring harmony to these dissonant times. Says Ryan Heller, Conductor and Artistic Director of Chorus Austin, who premiered the work with close to 200 performers, “October Project has captured something that the world needs right now with The Book of Rounds. Each of the 21 rounds combines to form a composite whole that resonates with what it means to be human.”   Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but for recording and/or performing in a workshop, class, or performance, please visit https://www.octoberprojectmusic.com/the-book-of-rounds/sheet-music/the-book-of-rounds-sheet-music for permission and rates.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:26 Start time of reprise: 00:17:37   Links: Contact email: [email protected] Website for October Project: www.octoberprojectmusic.com Website for The Book of Rounds: https://www.octoberprojectmusic.com/the-book-of-rounds/the-book-of-rounds-summary Youtube: @OctoberProjectMusic Facebook: @October Project Instagram: @octoberproject Spotify: @October Project Vancouver Youth Choir version of Turn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMwc9wkgItk&t=3s   Nuts & Bolts: 2:4, major, round   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: I Will Face the Light/Dark Music by: Jeri Katherine Howell   Notes: I love this personal mantra of Jeri Katherine Howell's that can be harmony-rich or very simple, and helps me center back into my integrity when I'm trying to be present with opposites -- light and dark, for example. Or, as some of the different listeners who wrote to me with opposite things they're holding -- hope & fear, excitement & dread, bitter & sweet, lies & truth. This song holds it all with breath and presence and calm. We sing it different ways -- unaccompanied, then with some strings, then just a two-part vocal harmony -- maybe you add more harmonies, maybe you have more words? Make this song your own if it sings in you....   Songwriter Info: Jeri Katherine Howell — award-winning singer-songwriter, cultural organizer, songleader and educator — cultivates creative experiences that inspire us to live in complex and caring relationship with one another and the planet. Rooted in the oral traditions of folk, Bluegrass and Appalachian music, Jeri Katherine’s songwriting and songleading style is in relation with the land, in deep listening to the triumphs and struggles of everyday people, and embodies music as a communal act. As a facilitator, Jeri Katherine believes we’re all teachers and every moment is a practice ground for creating the world we want to exist. As a caretaker, Jeri Katherine centers equitable access to the arts and nature to support our individual and collective well-being and resilience. Jeri Katherine loves to collaborate with organizations, small businesses and artists to cultivate joy and healing and build community. Connect at jerikatherinehowell.com.   Sharing Info: Yes -- Please share this song in oral tradition groups, but please contact Jeri for recording and/or performing permission. If you plan to share this song as a songleader, particularly if you are a paid songleader, please consider making a donation. Thank you!   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:20 Start time of reprise: 00:15:24   Links:  Donate on Venmo at https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2771302012157952132&created=1771099464 Join Jeri's email list and check out upcoming shows and workshops at https://jerikatherinehowell.com/ Buy original music downloads and merch at https://jerikatherinehowell.bandcamp.com/ Follow Jeri on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jerikatherinehowell Follow Jeri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeri.katherine   Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, unison, optional harmonies   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: Cycle Breakers Music by: Ríomas (with some lyric support from Yesh Salz)   Notes: Ríomas gives us a conversation steeped in joy and acceptance of hard things -- in the middle of doing a hard thing, since we lost a recorded hour of our first conversation due to a tech glitch. We talk about what makes it possible to come back -- how to not get stuck -- and how that applies to breaking cycles, connecting with our ancestors of before and those to come after. I found myself inspired by their description of the culture of song circles as a way "to vision in and dream in what we’re actually trying to create that’s more beautiful and more free and more inclusive.” I was surprised and intrigued by their take on severance from rhythm and how regaining embodied, shared pulse is a resistance practice. Catch the whole interview to learn this song that Minnesota folk created a dance to, and hear how Ríomas found their new name and what it means!   Songwriter Info: Ríomas (RiYo or Río for short, they/them), previously known as Shireen Amini, is a queer, trans masculine, Puerto Rican-Iranian artist and immigrant settler based in Portland, Oregon creating at the intersection of music, healing, and cultural change. Drawing upon pop and folk soul textures, gratefully and respectfully from Black and Afro-Latin lineages, they craft artful, participatory songs that invite realness and transformative energy. Bridging contemporary music mediums with ceremonial ways and resistance efforts, Ríomas creates soulful and joyful community singing experiences that reconnect people to their power and place. In spring 2026, they released their first community song album, Gather Your Resilience: Medicine for Liberation.   Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share in oral tradition contexts like song circles, but please contact me for permission and rates if interested in teaching this song as part of greater money-making ventures like multi-week choirs, workshops, classes, or performances or if interested in recording this song.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:40 Start time of reprise: 01:32:12   Links: Liz Digitale Anderson: https://singingforliberation.com/ C. Onyx Li: https://www.instagram.com/pointsoflight_mu/ adrienne maree brown: Pleasure Activism: https://adriennemareebrown.net/book/pleasure-activism/ CIIS San Francisco: https://www.ciis.edu/ Plena music of Puerto Rico : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plena Vernon Bush: https://www.goodlifeproject.com/podcast/vernon-bush/ Bobby McFerrin’s Circle Singing: https://circlesongs.com/ Vision fast: https://schooloflostborders.org/programs/vision-fast/ Doesn’t Mean by Ríomas ABS Episode 249: https://www.abreathofsong.com/p/249-doesnt-mean Mountain Song, Te Martin: https://www.lamafoundation.org/mountain-song/ Tracy Robertson: https://www.instagram.com/tracyljrobertson/?hl=en Sarina Partridge, “I Am of This Earth”: https://sarinapartridge.bandcamp.com/track/of-this-earth Dark as Night by Nahko And Medicine For The People: https://www.nahko.com/music  Persian Aush soup – a Samin Nosrat recipe is behind a NYTimes paywall, so here’s another one!: https://www.101cookbooks.com/new-year-noodle-soup/ Los Pleneros de la Cresta: https://losplenerosdelacresta.com/   Riomas’s recent album, “Gather Your Resilience,” on Bandcamp: https://riomas.bandcamp.com/album/gather-your-resilience-medicine-for-liberation Patreon: https://patreon.com/riomas Instagram: @riomasmusic Linktree: https://linktr.ee/riomas Artist Website: https://shireenamini.com/ Music as Medicine: https://shireenaminimusicmedicine.com/   Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, minor, harmonizable song form   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: Doesn't Mean Music by: Ríomas   Notes: What if there are other stories we can tell ourselves, other ways to protect ourselves? What if it doesn't mean what we think it means? The kind of flexibility that asks of us -- the openness to consider that the solution our mind is so neatly presenting might actually not be the most accurate or the most helpful? Wow. It's a game changer when we don't have to hold our stories or our past techniques so tightly -- and Ríomas has given us a song to ask these questions, to remind us that old ways of coping aren't always working so well in the here and now. Next episode, we get a sweet, intense conversation that touches in on navigating change, ancestors, rhythms, and more -- PLUS a new song Ríomas shares that's all about changing patterns...   Songwriter Info: Ríomas (RiYo or Río for short, they/them), previously known as Shireen Amini, is a queer, trans masculine, Puerto Rican-Iranian artist and immigrant settler based in Portland, Oregon creating at the intersection of music, healing, and cultural change. Drawing upon pop and folk soul textures, gratefully and respectfully from Black and Afro-Latin lineages, they craft artful, participatory songs that invite realness and transformative energy. Bridging contemporary music mediums with ceremonial ways and resistance efforts, Ríomas creates soulful and joyful community singing experiences that reconnect people to their power and place. In spring 2026, they released their first community song album, Gather Your Resilience: Medicine for Liberation.   Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share in oral tradition contexts like song circles, but please contact me for permission and rates if interested in teaching this song as part of greater money-making ventures like multi-week choirs, workshops, classes, or performances or if interested in recording this song.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:20 Start time of reprise: 00:18:24   Links: Album on Bandcamp: https://riomas.bandcamp.com/album/gather-your-resilience-medicine-for-liberation Patreon: https://patreon.com/riomas Instagram: @riomasmusic Linktree: https://linktr.ee/riomas     Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor, 3 layer with extra harmonies   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: Soften Music by: Patricia Norton   Notes: I caught this song more than a year ago, but it's been back in my brain, claiming space and being a helpmeet -- so I thought I'd share it with you. A reminder to release, to be present -- and that in that very softness is a fierce strength and belonging to help meet whatever moment you're in.   Songwriter Info: You can find out more about me in general here: https://www.juneberrymusic.com/about-patricia.html Or the whole team that puts this podcast out here: https://www.abreathofsong.com/about.html Sharing Info: Feel free to sing this song yourself and with your friends and family as often as you please! If you are using this song in a way that is making money for you, please contribute to the A Breath of Song gratitude jar at https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar, and/or send me a note letting me know how the song is helping you, so the song brings us into relationship. Thank you!   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:40 Start time of reprise: 00:16:45   Links: Flow Singing: https://www.juneberrymusic.com/flow-singing.html All of what I'm up to: https://www.juneberrymusic.com/ Kindred Voices Retreat: https://kindredvoicesretreat.com   Nuts & Bolts: 12:8, major, 3 part   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: Journey Far Music by: Kate Sutherland   Notes: Kate Sutherland knows how to send people out on a heroic journey -- this song is a staunch supporter and reminder of the love that is carried through a challenging time, whether you sing it to yourself or another loved one. Unusually, I give a little bit of structural things to listen for before teaching so you can see if that helps you internalize the song more quickly. The reprise is a slightly different feel than the original teaching -- same melody, same rhythm -- see what you think!   Songwriter Info: Kate is a multi-creative who feels alive when writing songs and leading community song circles, (re)uniting folks with their creative passions, making art out of the everyday, moving her body, belly laughing and standing in wonder of the natural world. She is a prolific recording artist, song-prayer activist, and warrior for love. She holds black belts in Judo and Kung Fu. Kate co-facilitates deep nature connection retreats (Wild Belonging), willow basket and song weaving workshops (Willow Song), and community singing and song writing retreats (Braided River) throughout the year for folks looking to deepen their connection to song and the natural world.   Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share. This is Kate's part in preventing any blocks to the movement of the song getting to where it needs to go and reaching the ears of those who might benefit from it. AND she always welcome financial and/or networking support when folks are in a position to do so. Your contributions not only support Kate in her continued creation of medicine songs, it also energetically feeds the song itself AND the powerful movement as a whole, to bring more light, love and healing into our beautiful world.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:04 Start time of reprise: 00:16:50   Links: To listen to Kate's music, purchase albums, learn about song & deep nature connection workshops at my website: https://www.katesutherland.ca Instagram: @katesutherlandsongs Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KateSutherland Patreon (bonus material & mentoring): https://www.patreon.com/c/KateSutherlandSongs   Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, minor, 2-layers each harmonized   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

The Sunday after this episode is released, August 30th, 2026, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us!   Lyrics ​& Links to the original episodes for the songs in this ribbon.   WHERE AM I GOING TO? by Patricia Norton   Where am I going to? What am I walking toward? (2x)   I’m gonna breathe   into the flow, flow, flowing.   BREATHE EASY by Karly Loveling   Breathe easy, let it all go. Rest your body; trust your soul to guide your way and keep you whole. Breathe easy, let go. LOVING KINDNESS by Wendy Luella Perkins   loving-kindness to my body loving-kindness to my mind loving-kindness to each and every joy and heartbreak of my time loving-kindness to my spirit loving-kindness to my soul loving-kindness to each and every part loving-kindness to the whole   zipper: your body, our bodies, all bodies    ANCIENT GREEN by Kathleen Hannan   1. I lay under a tall oak tree, asked the Goddess to shelter me. She wrapped me up in ancient green, ancient green.   2. All my tears, all my tears, all my tears, the river’s gonna wash away.   ONE DAY AT A TIME by Penny Stone with the Serenity Singers of Edinburgh   One day at a time. ​Keep it simple.   ANDITO NGAYON by Gérone Pascal  (with harmonies by Patricia Norton)   Andito ngayon Sa aking puso Ang bawat hininga Maginhawa.   Here now in my heart Every breath Full of ease.    (Tagalog language from the Pilipinas Islands)   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: Glimmer in My Eye Music by: Jordan Mudd   Notes: Jordan takes us through a journey of listening for a call, listening for our ancestors, listening to the generations to come -- and an exploration of the wild delight of being alive! I felt like so much of what he said is common to the shared experience in song circles where people are “Just singing to sing – and… I didn’t know that was what I’d been looking for…” He said, “It feels like what we are doing in our song circles is an experiment in culture building… that we want to move into the fabric of daily life.” And, “We get to be here making something wildly beautiful – not just our sounds but in the sharing of our souls.” Yes!   Songwriter Info: Jordan Mudd is a songleader, vocal coach, grief tender, and ritualist based in Boston, MA. He co-founded Boston-Area Singing Circles in 2023, where he leads regular community singing gatherings combining oral tradition songs, vocal improv, and ritual, as well as training workshops for aspiring songleaders. He has been catching & leading songs for a decade, and is committed to using song as a tool for personal, collective, and spiritual liberation.   Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share but he always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:32 Start time of reprise: 01:08:48   Links:  “Gimmer in My Eye” on Bandcamp: https://jordanmuddsings.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-generations-past-future Boston-Area Singing Circles: https://www.bostonareasingingcircles.com/ Jordan’s website: https://www.jordanmudd.com/ Songleader Training with Jordan + milly roberts: https://www.bostonareasingingcircles.com/songleading-intensive   Emma Thomas Mitchell: https://www.emmathomasmitchell.com/ Sunrise Movement: https://www.sunrisemovement.org/   A Breath of Song episode from Sunrise Movement: https://www.abreathofsong.com/p/172-dont-go-putting-the-world-on-your-shoulders “I Send my Hope” https://jordanmuddsings.bandcamp.com/track/i-send-my-hope Ep 244: “I Am Listening” on A Breath of Song: https://www.abreathofsong.com/p/244-i-am-listening Brandeis University: https://www.brandeis.edu/ Howard Thurman: https://www.bu.edu/thurman/about-us/who-is-howard-thurman/ Jordan’s Songleading Offerings: https://www.jordanmudd.com/songleading David Ruffin: https://www.davidruffinvoice.com/ David on A Breath of Song (ep 185): https://www.abreathofsong.com/p/185-vocal-improv-with-guest-david-ruffin David’s GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/780f3ecf6 elena elizabeth hendrick: can be contacted at [email protected] Ukumbwa Sauti: https://about.me/ukumbwa IG:@ukumbwa Dagara cosmology: https://www.theafricangourmet.com/2016/07/whats-your-dagara-cosmology-sign.html Malidoma Somé: https://www.thesunmagazine.org/articles/26930-holding-our-power Sobonfu Somé: https://www.schoolofintegratedliving.org/grief-forgiveness-ritual-sobonfu-some/ Gaia Music Collective: https://linktr.ee/gaiamusiccollective Amos Lee: https://www.amoslee.com/ Esperanza Spaulding: 12 Little Spells: https://esperanzaspalding.com/   Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, round   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: I Am Listening Music by: Jordan Mudd   Notes: Recording this episode was sheer joy -- I was with a community of vocal improvisors at Back to the Well at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY (see shownotes for links to participate next year!) -- and I shared Jordan's song with a small group of us who were free one afternoon. Please sing with us, letting the song sink in and sing inside you in whatever way is just right today. I love the way this song remembers me into Howard Thurman quote: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”   Songwriter Info: Jordan Mudd is a songleader, vocal coach, grief tender, and ritualist based in Boston, MA. He co-founded Boston-Area Singing Circles in 2023, where he leads regular community singing gatherings combining oral tradition songs, vocal improv, and ritual, as well as training workshops for aspiring songleaders. He has been catching & leading songs for a decade, and is committed to using song as a tool for personal, collective, and spiritual liberation.   Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share but he always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:04:01 Start time of reprise: 00:18:27   SINGERS: Laurie Ellington -- suspensionbridgejazz.com Suzzette Ortiz -- suzzetteortiz.com Eileen Webb -- IG: @leenwebb Linnea Dolf -- IG:@linneasings Patti Shaffner -- jazzdakini.com Roy Willey -- voicecirclecolorado.com Giovanna (Gio) Velino -- IG:@giovanna.velino Rosi Amador -- IG:@rosiamadorlala Onome -- onome.org IG: @onome.om Paola Faoro -- IG: @circlesingingboston_jp TatiAnah Thunberg -- vocalwilds.com Carisa Wilder  Links: Back to the Well workshop: https://rhiannonmusic.com/omega-2026 Listen to and purchase Jordan's music on bandcamp: https://jordanmuddsings.bandcamp.com/ Learn more about Jordan's work at www.jordanmudd.com Learn more about the singing community Jordan stewards at www.bostonareasingingcircles.com Learn more about songleader training with Jordan + milly roberts: https://www.bostonareasingingcircles.com/songleading-intensive   Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor, unison with optional harmonies   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: Mountain River Music by: Kjersten Hallin   Notes: I absolutely adore the way this song embodies a river by having a low, slow undercurrent that lasts longer than the bubbling, swirling upper layer -- and the two layers sound different on top of each other in different places. As I sing it, I can feel into being the light sparkle on top and the dark fertile below... both needed. Which part calls to you to sing today?   Songwriter Info: Kjersten Hallin (Pronounced Shares-ten Ha-leen) is a Community Song Weaver, Artist and Beauty Activist, Grief Tender, Earth Steward, Producer of Cascadia Song Rise, Eco-Edutainer and Youth Outreach Specialist. Kjersten is of Swedish/Norwegian ancestry, born on Lakota/Anishnaabe land (Minneapolis, Minnesota) and currently living/singing/practicing in the unceded Kalapuyan homelands of Champinefu (Corvallis, Oregon). Kjersten’s songs spring from an intimate relationship with the beauty of the living world and her/their name literally translates to “Love Stone”. Attuning and tending to the aliveness of all beings, seen and unseen, past-present-future, human and more-than-human, is at the core of Kjersten’s work and purpose. She/They believes that songs themselves are living beings that are fed by our singing. Kjersten leads monthly CommUnity BlesSings song circles and Community Grief Rituals in Champinefu/Corvallis, produces an annual song gathering in the Cascadia Bioregion, offers musical climate action presentations to local schools and youth groups, tends to several gardens and two grown children, and makes art and beauty of all kinds, walking humbly and gently on this precious planet. Sharing Info: The song is free to share but Kjersten always welcome financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:19 Start time of reprise: 00:22:16   Links: Kjersten's Music: https://kjerstenhallin.bandcamp.com/music Kjersten's GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-the-songs-and-love-flowing-in-corvallis Kjersten's Instagram: @kj_creatrix https://www.instagram.com/kj_creatrix Eco-Edutainment: https://nofoodleftbehindcorvallis.org/videos/   Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor, 2-part round with different length parts   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

The Sunday after this episode is released, July 26th, 2026, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us!   Lyrics ​& Links to the original episodes for the songs in this ribbon.   AN OPEN HEART by Scott Kalichstein travelled version (song 2) I'm gonna let life move me, I'm gonna let life stir me deep, I'm gonna let life wake me  from an ancient sleep. I'm gonna laugh all my laughter, I'm gonna cry all my tears. I'm gonna love the rain as deeply as the sun when it clears.   BEAUTIFUL RAIN with singer Rebecca Csuy mysterious origins Patricia wrote 2nd part Rain, rain, rain, rain,  beautiful rain. Rain, rain, rain, rain,  beautiful rain. Rain falling down on the plains, On the roofs of our towns, Beautiful rain. Rain, rain, rain, rain,  beautiful rain. Rain, rain, rain, rain,  beautiful rain. Rain falling down on the plains, Rooftop raindrops,  rooftop raindrops falling, Beautiful rain.   THE RIVER by Coco Love Alcorn Bass part: Dum t-ka dum dum dum k Dum t-ka dum dum dum k Dum t-ka dum dum dum dum Dum t-ka dum dum dum k Melody: 1. The river is a healer,  the river is a sage. The river knows no end and  the river feels no age. The river is a leader  every single day, It's living in the moment and  it always finds a way. Chorus: Water heal my body,  water heal my soul. When I go down down to the water, by the water I feel whole.   2. The river calls me over,  it's calling out my name In the day and in the night  I hear that river all the same. It's calling me over,  calling out my pain, oh a river gathers tears  just like a river gathers rain.   3. The river is a traveller,  always on the go A river never worries  if it's fast or if it's slow River take me  to where I need to go, Oh and I will just relax  and let the river flow.   STAND IN THAT RIVER by Moira Smiley Chorus:  Come and stand in that river,  Current, gentle and slow, Send your troubles down water,  Down on that water flow. Verse:  When you stand in that river,  Angels sing in your head. Secrets beyond every worry.  Dreams beyond every dread.   AN OPEN HEART by Scott Kalichstein original version I wanna let life touch me,  wanna let life move me deep,  Wanna let life stir me, from an ancient sleep. May I laugh all my laughter,  may I cry all my tears,  may I love the rain as deeply as the sun when it clears. Living my life with an open heart.   INNER PEACE by Kate Valentine I am the deep peace I seek,  I am, I am, Look upon the rolling ocean Look above the sky unfolding All around the tide is turning Right here I am standing. ​ Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: Sing Your Roots Music by: Eileen Hazel Guest Singers: Becky Peterson, Karen Chickering, Molly Moerdyk   Notes: There's a slightly strange sound quality in this one, as something weird was going on with my mic when recording... maybe we were so rooted and grounded singing this that we changed the electricity in the room?! I invited three friends over to sing Eileen's round with me, and a little delightful chaos ensued... pick a place to start singing the song, with one of us or in between us, and see what happens. I wonder how we would all be if we felt that sense of deep rootedness, combined with a rise to the stars?   Songwriter Info: After many years of singing, composing, and performing, Elieen discovered her deepest love in community singing. The joy and deep connection found in singing together deeply fed her soul. Since 2023, Elieen has been facilitating community song circles in the East Bay. She especially loves co-facilitating with other song leaders and cultivating spaces that feel joyful, welcoming, and harmonious.  In the last few years, Eileen's connection to the Muse has opened in new ways. The songs flowing through her are now largely created for community singing—meant to be shared, experienced, and sung together. The songs she creates emanate from a place of spirit, drawing inspiration from her profound connection to the natural world, and to our communities. Visit her website (eileenhazel.com) to see what’s coming up.   Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share but Eileen always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:02:44 Start time of reprise: 00:13:13   Links: Eileen's Website: eileenhazel.com Bandcamp to buy music: https://eileenhazel.bandcamp.com/. More music on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/eileen-hazel Eileen's own recording of Sing Your Roots: https://soundcloud.com/eileen-hazel/sing-your-roots   Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, minor, round   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: What Have We Done Music by: Kaitie Ty Warren   Notes: Kaitie and I talk about how we get to practice skills in singing that help us show up in full right size to help build the kind of culture we want to live in. This includes stories about cockroaches, childraising, computer-savvy friends... and Kaitie brings it all "earthside" by teaching this powerful layer song which is intimately connected with the South African song "Senzenina". We talk about cross-cultural connections, and how we try to continually update our learning -- what it is to be in right relationship, the illness of wetiko, how to be "other" in a non-inclusive dominant culture. If any of this sparks your curiosity, join us!   Songwriter Info: Kaitie Ty Warren (any pronouns) grew up on Tongva and Ohlone lands, by the ocean and often dreams in fishes and songs. She is a songwriter, songleader, writer, collage artist, cartoonist, minister, and performing artist. She is the founder of Living Room Choir, Be Heard! Voice for Parkinson's, and East Bay Song Fest, all on Ohlone lands in the Bay Area CA. She has a background in theater and music. She goes by Mama to the most awesome little songleader. KaitieTyWarren.com for more; follow on Patreon and socials @KaitieTy.   Sharing Info: Kaitie's songs are available for free to humans for the sole purpose of using it with their choir(s) and song circles. For commercial and for-profit uses, please contact Kaitie via LivingRoomChoir.com. This is not for AI training or use.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:18 Start time of reprise: 01:14:26   Links: Where to find What Have We Done: https://livingroomchoir.com/what-have-we-done/ https://www.patreon.com/kaitiety/posts/song-what-have-143827793 https://kaitietywarren.bandcamp.com/track/what-have-we-done Living Room Choir's Instagram: www.instagram.com/livingroomchoir Living Room Choir's Website: LivingRoomChoir.com/song-library Kaitie's Website: https://kaitietywarren.com/ Kaitie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitietywarren/   Senzenina – The Joy covering it: https://youtu.be/0ye19cENvY4?si=okLZ6YrsQrXwHJb4 Vukani Mowethu South African choir in Oakland: https://www.vukani.com/ Kele Nitoto: https://www.instagram.com/kelenitoto/ Ahimsa – concept of non-violence: https://www.britannica.com/topic/ahimsa Heather Houston retreats: https://heatherhoustonmusic.com/retreats-old/ Laura Sandage: https://www.lauraschapel.com/ “I Am” by Tom Shadyac (available on Netflix) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_(2010_American_documentary_film) Wetiko: Algonquin term for a cannibalistic spirit that is driven by greed, excess and selfish consumption (in Ojibwe it is windigo, wintiko in Powhatan) - https://www.lapishealingarts.com/lapidary-blog/wetiko-and-the-collective-dark-night-of-the-soul East Bay Songfest April 16-18, 2027: https://eastbaysongfest.com/   Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, layer, major   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Song: My Body is Perfect Music by: Kaitie Ty Warren   Notes: Kaitie started quite a discussion around our house with this song. What is perfect? Who gets to decide? And why is it so darn comforting to be told you're perfect, anyway? But when I first sang this song with Kaitie at Heather Houston's Global Summit many months ago, I was struck by how much better I felt after singing it to myself -- and I have continued to sing it through a flare of pain that I'm still seeking answers for and is constricting my way of life -- and I continue to find it comforting! Maybe you will, too? Next week, I get to talk with Kaitie directly about all kinds of things, including the ways we're trying to move away from the harm done by white colonial cultures and toward a vibrant, inclusive kind of presence that hums with life and generativity.   Songwriter Info: Kaitie Ty Warren (any pronouns) grew up on Tongva and Ohlone lands, by the ocean and often dreams in fishes and songs. She is a songwriter, songleader, writer, collage artist, cartoonist, minister, and performing artist. She is the founder of Living Room Choir, Be Heard! Voice for Parkinson's, and East Bay Song Fest, all on Ohlone lands in the Bay Area CA. She has a background in theater and music. She goes by Mama to the most awesome little songleader. KaitieTyWarren.com for more; follow on Patreon and socials @KaitieTy.   Sharing Info: Kaitie's songs are available for free to humans for the sole purpose of using it with their choir(s) and song circles. For commercial and for-profit uses, please contact Kaitie via LivingRoomChoir.com. This is not for AI training or use.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:02:54 Start time of reprise: 00:14:00   Links: "My Body is Perfect" on Kaitie's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kaitiety/posts/new-song-my-body-137978799 Kaitie's Patreon: www.patreon.com/kaitiety Living Room Choir's Instagram: www.instagram.com/livingroomchoir Living Room Choir's Website: LivingRoomChoir.com/song-library Kaitie's Website: https://kaitietywarren.com/ Kaitie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitietywarren/ Kaitie's Bandcamp: https://kaitietywarren.bandcamp.com   Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, call and response, major   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html