Song Library

Francis Cimarron 1/26/26 Francis Cimarron 1/26/26

All Is Change

by Anni Zylstra

Anni Zylstra (they/them) is a multidisciplinary folk artist based in the traditional homelands of the Oceti Sakowin and Ho-chunk in SW so-called Wisconsin. Some of the realms their work encompasses include traditional willow basketry, agroforestry, polyphonic singing, arts organizing, directing, and teaching. All of Anni's work is rooted in both deep reverence for the nonhuman world, as well as visions of radical inclusion and reimagining who is welcome in the the rural folkscape.

All is Change, (formerly known as Blessed Motion), is a 4-part acknowledgement of Life as an unpredictable, ever-changing movement toward itself. The melody first came crouching in a rock bed next to a fast moving fork of the Trinity River, where salmon were in their first week of journeying to their spawning sites in northern California, and inspired from words about Martin Prechtel's experience surviving a devastating earthquake in Guatemala in the 1970's.
Years after writing this song, upon reading the works of Octavia Butler and other visionary Black futurists and science fiction authors, Anni dedicates this song to their work, which they believe is the real visionary and earth-healing work of these times. - Anni

LYRICS:

Part 1:
I believed in solid ground
until I saw the earth in motion,

In the winds of steady change
and in the ever-rolling ocean.

Part 2:
All moves on in perfect, perfect motion.
All is change and ever-rolling ocean.

Solo:
All is moving, all is change,
Though I once believed that there might somehow be
Something firm beneath my feet, but

All is motion, and all is well
For solid ground is just a myth
For those who never swim in it.

All is moving in blessed change,
Oh the world we know will come and go
And everything will rearrange, so

Be the ground beneath that sky,
Tumbling round the by and by.
All is change, so am I.
Li li li, li li li

‍ ‍

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/26/26 Francis Cimarron 1/26/26

Another Trip Around The Sun

by Heidi Wilson

A birthday song

by Heidi Wilson, sung with the Heartwood Trio (with Sarina Partridge and Willy Clemetson)

Heidi’s passion is to share songs in service to community and the wild world; songs that celebrate the seasons, bring groups together, offer thanks, muster courage, and make room for connection and healing. She has been leading community singing groups in Vermont and beyond for the last 20 years.

You can support Heidi’s work via Patreon.

LYRICS:

On the day that you were born, oooo

You were not the only one, oooo

Buds and birds and bees emerging too

But you're the only one who sings like you

So sing sing on, another trip around the sun

Sing sing on, another trip around the sun

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/25/26 Francis Cimarron 1/25/26

Begin It

by Venice Manley

by Venice Manley 1934-2004

Venice was a songleader based in London, England who taught singing to individuals and theatre companies and choirs. She worked with Nor Hall, in Canada, in America, with Odin Teatret, in Germany, in Holland and for the Roy Hart in France. For the last five years of her life she ran Maspinzeli, the London Georgian choir.

This song was inspired by this quote from Goethe:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back — concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.“ - Johann Wolfgang (von) Goethe (1749-1832)

LYRICS:

Whatever you can do or dream you can
Begin it, just begin it.

Boldness has genius,
Power and magic in it.

‍ ‍

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/25/26 Francis Cimarron 1/25/26

Be Kind

by Laurence Cole

Laurence Cole is a community activist who travels the world facilitating community healing and transformation through the power of song. Laurence is a deeply engaged member of the community in his hometown of Port Townsend, WA, where he is involved in various projects that seek to build social structures that are nourishing to both land and people.

Support his work here.

LYRICS:

Be kind

Everyone carries a heavy load

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/25/26 Francis Cimarron 1/25/26

Bitele, Ryto

trad. Lithuanian

Traditional Lithuanian sutartine dedicated to the honeybee.

Sutartines (“to be in accord”) are polyphonic chants that come from the Northeast region of Lithuania. These chants are often about everyday encounters with the natural world and are very tied to the traditional culture, which still preserves it’s pagan roots, rather than the Christianized culture of many of it’s neighboring countries. This song is specifically a keturine (meaning 4 parts), but we sing it here with 3.

Lyrics (in Lithuanian):

Bitele, ryto,
To ryto tata,

Saldų midutį,
To ryto tata,

Iš kur tu jėmei?
To ryto tata,

Gražaus darželio,
To ryto tata,

Rūtų kvietkelio,
To ryto tata.

Counterpoint:

Bite, ryte, to ryto tata :||

- - x - - x - - - x x -

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

English translation:

Honeybee, morning,
In the morning, tata

Sweet nectar,
In the morning, tata

Where did you get it from?
In the morning, tata

A beautiful garden,
In the morning, tata

A path of wild Rue,
In the morning, tata

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/25/26 Francis Cimarron 1/25/26

Blossom Rain

by Brian “Yam” Dwyer

(Inspired by a magnolia tree on ancestral Lummi/Nooksack land)

by Brian “Yam” Dwyer (of Earth Practice and the Bliss Is Ordinary podcast)

LYRICS:

The blossom rain falls

As the blossom wind blows

Freedom is the sweetest love I know (x2)

What is my calling

What does it mean to be free

What is my purpose

Oh just to be me

What is your calling

What does it mean to be true

What is your purpose

Oh just to be you

(repeat whole song)

Oh just to be me

Oh just to be we….(riff)

Listen to Yam and Jessi teach the song here:

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/24/26 Francis Cimarron 1/24/26

Carry This All

by Alexandra “Ahlay” Blakely

Alexandra "Ahlay" Blakely (she/her) is a songcatcher, and spaceholder of Ashkenazi/Scandinavian/Celtic roots, living on Coast Salish Land in the Pacific Northwest.

Support her work via patreon.

LYRICS:

You do not carry this all alone.
No, you do not carry this all alone.
This is way too big for you to carry this on your own, so
You do not carry this all alone.

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/23/26 Francis Cimarron 1/23/26

Don’t Numb To This

by Abigail Bengson

Abigail and Shaun Bengson, are a married composing and performing duo raising two children in Queens! Their music ranges from musical theater productions to on-the-spot songspells. They believe grief and joy are the same thing. They are interested in anything that gets us all free.

Abigail shared this spontaneous song on her Instagram page (2/14/2023), and it’s been a lifeline for me throughout this past year. As the news continues to bring up more reasons to feel overwhelming grief, this song is a steady reminder that our breadth and depth of feeling is an integral part of our aliveness.

Support The Bengsons via patreon.

LYRICS:

Don’t numb to this
Don’t numb it out
Let it all flow in and out
You’re strong enough to feel it all
And keep your heart alive

Stay soft to this
Don’t numb it out
Let yourself breathe in and out
You’re strong enough to feel it all
And keep your heart alive

Don’t numb to this
Don’t numb it out
Let yourself breathe in and out
You’re strong enough to feel it all
And keep your heart alive

Don’t numb to this
Don’t block it out
Let it all flow in and out
You’re strong enough to feel it all
And keep your heart alive

(Repeat all verses)

You’re strong enough to feel it all
And keep your heart alive 2x

‍ ‍

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/22/26 Francis Cimarron 1/22/26

Earth Opened In The Spring

by Malcolm Dalglish

(Words by Wendell Berry, from “Rising” in memory of his friend and mentor Owen Flood)

LYRICS:

The earth opened in the spring, opens in all springs

Nameless, ancient, many-lived, we reach

Through the ages with the seed.

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/22/26 Francis Cimarron 1/22/26

Every Fall

by Earth Practice

This trio are some dear friends of mine, Yin, Jessi, and Yam, catching songs, and staying tender-hearted on unceded Lummi & Nooksack territory, in the PNW.

Jessi & Yam also host this amazing song podcast, Bliss Is Ordinary.

You can support their work via Patreon.

LYRICS:

Every fall (2x)
The trees drop their leaves (2x)
Releasing what they don’t need (2x)

Down to the ground (2x)
Relying on their roots (2x)
To give them what they need (2x)

Bass:
Ooo, ooo
Ooo, ooo…oo
Dun, da dun-dun, da-dun, dun, dun

Last time:
To give them what they need (x3)
We have all we need

‍ ‍

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/21/26 Francis Cimarron 1/21/26

Full Moon

by Samara Jade/Joshua Blaine

Samara Jade is a musician and songwriter who lives here in the Asheville, NC area. You can support her work via Patreon.

Joshua Blaine is a Jewish storyteller and ritualist, and community songleader based in New Mexico. Find out more about his work here.

LYRICS:

Mid: Here comes the moon
Over the mountain
Just like an old friend
It’s good to see you again

High: Rising higher
Shining brighter

Low: I see my fullness
In your reflection

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Samara Jade (@samara_jade_music)

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/20/26 Francis Cimarron 1/20/26

Goldenrod Round

by Anni Zylstra

Here’s another favorite from Anni Zylstra (they/them). This little round came to Anni in the subtle yellowing of early September whilst living in a meadow full of black caps, wild night shades, sumac, milk thistle, and goldenrod at the Possibility Alliance in northeast Missouri.

LYRICS:

Sun wanes upon the field
Goldenrod begins
Sighing trees let go of leaves
Day turns to night again

‍ ‍

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/20/26 Francis Cimarron 1/20/26

Good Garden

by Francis Cimarron

This one is an original that came through in the summer of ‘23. I was struggling with my health, and feeling so grateful for the ways that my community was holding me up. I was striving to remember that I still had something to offer, even when my body was unable.

Spending time in the garden reminded me that even decay, rot, and death have their contributions to make. This layered song is in 7/8 time, so the rhythm can be a bit tricky to find at first, but very groovy when it clicks..

You can support my musical work via Patreon.

(The first line of this song was born out of another song called Everyday Miracles, by my friend, Yin Friend, of Earth Practice, based in so-called Bellingham, WA)

LYRICS:

Alto:
Feed me, from your garden
I can taste the sun that shines on everyone

Soprano:
Tender fruits ripen
Blossoms bursting…open

Tenor:
Tender, turn it under
Tilling what’s rotten into medicine

Bass:
Feed me
from your
good garden

All:
Feed me, from your garden
I can taste the sun that shines on everyone

‍ ‍

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/20/26 Francis Cimarron 1/20/26

Grief

by Sarina Partridge

Sarina Partridge (she/her) is a Jewish songwriter, choir director, teacher, and community organizer based in Minneapolis, MN. She believes in community singing as a healing modality, leads multiple choirs, and teaches workshops at Village Harmony in VT.

Listen to her original recording of this song here.

LYRICS:

Part 1 (low):

Grief
Moving through me
Let my body
Feel the waves of love, and…

Part 1 (high):

Grief
Moving through me
Let my body
Feel the waves of…

Part 2 (middle):

Let me feel it all
Let me feel it all
Grief, grief and love
Let me feel it all
Let me feel it all

Part 3 (low):

(And) All this grief
Give it to the water
Let it go (x2)
Let it go

Part 4 (high):

Heal this heart with a blessing, in motion
Carry it to the ocean, to the ocean

Let it go

Part 5 (middle):

(drone)
Grief
Moving through me
Let my body
Let me feel it all

‍ ‍

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/19/26 Francis Cimarron 1/19/26

Halloween Caroling Songs

«««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»

Many songs for the spooky season!

Song of the Witches

lyrics - William Shakespeare, music - Evan Sercombe

LYRICS:

Double, double, toil and trouble
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble
By the pricking of my thumbs
Something wicked this way comes

Ghoulies & Ghosties

from a traditional Scottish prayer

LYRICS:

From ghoulies and ghosties, and long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump, go bump in the night
From ghoulies and ghosties, and long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night

Oh please, Oh please, Oh please deliver us!

Ghost of John

LYRICS:

Have you seen the ghost of John
Long white bones with the rest all gone
Oooooo, oo Oooooo
Wouldn’t it be chilly with no skin on

Bread, Bread

by Anni Zylstra

LYRICS:

Bread, bread, fine cheese and bread
Apples and spread for your bread, bread
Butter and jam for your bread, bread

Ghost of John/Bread, Bread

Now stack those two!

Hey, Ho, Nobody Home

LYRICS:

Hey, ho, nobody home
No meat, no drink, nor money have I none
(No trick or treat, nor money have I none)
Still I will be merry
Hey, ho-o >>>(forgot this part in the practice tracks. oops!)

Ah, Poor Bird

LYRICS:

Ah poor bird, take thy flight
Far above the sorrows of this dark night

Hey, Ho/Ah, Poor Bird

Now stack those two!

And round them both at the same time!

The Hearse Song

LYRICS:

The Old Grey Hearse goes rolling by
You don't know whether to laugh or cry
For you know some day it'll get you too
And the hearse's next load may consist of—you.
Ooo-oo, Ooo-oo

They'll take you out and they'll lower you down
While men with shovels stand all a-round
They'll throw in dirt and they'll throw in rocks
And they won't give a dam-m-n if they break the box.
Ooo-oo, Ooo-oo

The worms crawl in and the worms crawl out
They crawl all over your chin and mouth
They invite their friends and their friends' friends too
And you look like hell when they're—through—with you.
Ooo-oo, Ooo-oo

Jewels

by Barbara Mcafee

LYRICS:

Every time I go into the darkness
I return with fistfuls of jewels

Midnight velvet wraps all around me
Stars glitter brilliant above

Dreaming darkness, dreaming light

Stir A Brew

by Elizabeth Gilpatrick

LYRICS:

We’ll stir and stir; we’ll stir up a brew
We’ll mix it and boil it and season it too
And when it’s finished we’ll serve it to you

We hope you’ll like it, too!
We hope you’ll like it, too!

And don’t forget x x x
And don’t forget to chew!

Weather Witch

LYRICS:

Blow wind, blow wind, cried the witch of weather
Nay wind, nay wind, cried three men together
In their hobble, sat the sailors three-o
Til the wind blows, they’ll not go to sea-o

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/19/26 Francis Cimarron 1/19/26

Heart of the Pine

by Hannah Robson

Hannah is an herbalist, storyteller, community organizer, and songleader in Tunbridge Wells, UK.

LYRICS:

Low: I’ve been hurting
I’ve been healing
I’ve been learning
To breathe in

Mid: In the heart of the tall pine tree
I breathe in deep
I breathe in peace

In the heart of the tall pine tree
I breathe in hope
Breathe easily

High: Deepening roots
Open my heart again (x2)

Back to Songs

Francis Cimarron 1/19/26 Francis Cimarron 1/19/26

Hope Comes

by Abigail Bengson

Support The Bengsons via patreon.

LYRICS:

Mid: Hope comes from the place where the hurt comes (I said) (2x)

+High: Hope comes from the place where the hurt comes (I said) (2x)

+Low: Hope comes from the place where the hurt comes (I said) (4x)

Low Mid: The part of you that is not alright
Is also the part that loves the light
And the part of you that is suffering
Is the part that calls in change
and You don’t have to be ashamed (of it)
There is nothing to forgive
The part of you that is crying out
Is the part that wants to live (yeah)

All: Hope comes from the place where the hurt comes (I said) (4x)

High Mid: When the world is burning down
Getting hot is a sane reaction
But one in need of action
Because your spirit needs protection
So gather up your sinew
And gather up your faction (hey)
Hope is not a feeling, no
Hope is an action (yeah)

All: Hope comes from the place where the hurt comes (I said) (4x)

Low Mid: I’m gonna fall down on my knees
All: That’s an act of living

High Mid: I’m gonna say, Will you help me please? (All: That’s an act…)

High: I’m gonna say, I am not alright (All: That’s an act…)

Low: I’m just trying to make it through this night (All: That’s an act…)

Low Mid: We’re gonna fall down on our knees (All: That’s an act…)