Song Library

1 - Spring '24 Charity Cimarron 1 - Spring '24 Charity Cimarron

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.

Boldness has genius,
Power and magic in it.

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Be Kind

by Laurence Cole

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

 
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3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron 3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron

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:

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3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron 3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron

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


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1 - Spring '24, 3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron 1 - Spring '24, 3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron

Carry This All

by Alexandra “Ahlay” Blakely

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.


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3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron 3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron

Hope Comes

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. 

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…)

Echo: Hope comes from the place where the hurt comes___

High Mid: Will we say, Help me please! (All: That’s an act…)

Echo: Hope comes from the place where the hurt comes___

High: We can say, We are not alright! (All: That’s an act…)

Echo: Hope comes from the place where the hurt comes___

Low: We can help each other get through the night  (All: That’s an act…)

Echo: Hope comes from the place where the hurt comes___

Solo: Hope comes from the center of the hurt, in the middle of the dirt 

Echo: Hope comes from the place where the hurt comes___

(All: That’s an act of living)

Solo: We’ll plant a seed and watch it grow, into something we don’t already know

Echo: Hope comes from the place where the hurt comes___

(All: That’s an act of living)

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

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How To Hold On

by Melanie DeMore

by Melanie DeMore

Born in the Bronx, and currently living in Oakland, CA, Melanie is a queer, black woman, and vocal activist. She is a highly accomplished vocalist and song leader, with a powerful baritone voice. She lovingly shared this song with me, and I had the pleasure of a conversation with her about the intent behind it. Please read her notes at the bottom.


LYRICS:

How to hold on 

How to hold on

How to hold on in the storm 

Oh, how to hold on 

How do you hold on 

How to hold on in the storm 

Notes from Melanie:

Low - The song is asking the question, but not giving the answer. We have to begin by asking the question.

Mid - “How. Do. You.” - that represents the pain, drawing from the African-American tradition of “moaning.” Collective grieving is the way towards healing.

High - this represents the ancestors, ethereal, high above us.

Every individual has to feel how they connect to the deep feeling in this song. What is your story?

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I Have A Burning Desire

by Earth Practice

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.

They also host this amazing song podcast, Bliss Is Ordinary, and you can support their work via Patreon.


LYRICS:

Call:             I have a burning desire
Response:     To be free

Call:            It guides my every step
Response:     It is the truth that informs me

Call:            And wherever I go
Response:     And whatever I be

Call:            I know that wealth ain’t nothing 
Response:     If I ain’t free

Call:             I have a burning desire
Response:     To be free

Call:            It guides my every step
Response:     It is the truth that informs me

Call:             And my sisters and brothers
Response:     Standing out on the streets

Call:           I know my freedom ain’t nothing
Response:    If you ain’t free

(last time repeat)

Call:             And my sisters and brothers
Response:     Standing out on the streets

Call:           I know my freedom ain’t nothing
Response:    If you ain’t free

 
 
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1 - Spring '24 Charity Cimarron 1 - Spring '24 Charity Cimarron

Morning Star

by Francis Cimarron

by Francis Cimarron

This is an original one, by me. My first choral style arrangement, and Resound is the first group to sing it out! You can support my musical work via Patreon.

(Although there are technically only 3 parts, there are some split notes, especially at the end, so there are separate recordings for high/low endings for Tenor and Soprano.)


LYRICS:

We will sing a new song
Our voices ring in the dawn
As a new day lights up the sky,
We will raise up our eyes.
Hope is the morning star.

Morning star, hope is the morning star. (2x)

Turn your back on the shadows,
Take a step towards the East.
In the night there may be hunger
But every morning’s a feast.
Hope is the morning star.

Morning star, hope is the morning star. (2x)

 
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3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron 3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron

Peace

by Jessi Rado

by Jessi Rado (Earth Practice/Bliss Is Ordinary)

Jessi Radovich (she/they) is an artist and psychotherapist working at the intersection of creativity and community. She is a member of the song collective, Earth Practice,  and co-creator of the beloved community singing podcast, Bliss is Ordinary. She is currently teaching college courses on Community Singing and Communal Grief Tending, as well as working on a quilting project across carceral lines.


LYRICS:

Peace in my heart
Even when I don’t know where to start

Peace in my mind
Even when I’m not fine

 
 

“Peace is a feeling you get in a place where you feel safe, warm and held by your grandmothers and grandfathers.

Peace is a human right and a privilege in this day and age when there is so much fear and violence in the world.

Peace is a smell that comforts

Peace is a sound that delights

Peace is getting a good night’s sleep

Peace is looking forward to who you will meet each day with curiosity and kindness”

-Dave Hamilton, April 9, 2025.

“He drew this picture after one of our walks, a tiny fern which had not yet unfurled. As we noticed it with pleasure we said we would come back and notice it again in its fullness. The last words he said to me were, ‘I am tender but I am okay right now’. Ferns are tender. People, are tender. Be gentle with each other. Hug each other tight, and be peace.” - Milly Morrow

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Spring 188

trad. shape note

Traditional shape-note song, from Sacred Harp

Shape-note is a traditional Appalachian style of singing with a rich history, that has been referred to as “heavy metal a cappella.”

(Contrary to the lyrics in the song, these practice tracks were recorded during a thunderstorm, so please enjoy the background sounds of thunder and rain.)


LYRICS:

The scattered clouds are fled at last,
The rain is gone, the winter’s past;
The lovely vernal flow’rs appear,
The warbling choirs enchant our ear.
Now, with sweetly pensive moan,
Coos the turtle dove alone.

The voice of my beloved sounds,
While o’er the mountain top he bounds;
He flies exulting o’er the hills,
And all my soul with transport fills.
Gently doth he chide my stay.
Rise, my soul, and come away.

 
 
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3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron 3 - Spring '25 Charity Cimarron

Stay Soft

by Sam Rise

by Sam Rise (they/them)

Sam is a black, gender-expansive performer, teaching artist and human-amplifier, doing powerful liberatory work in Philadelphia, PA.


LYRICS:

I know this life ain’t easy

Some days I wish I were water or stone.

Fear binds, but lovin will free me,

“Keep on,” they say, “child, stay soft.”

I know this life ain’t easy,

We’re taught to hold up our shield and sword.

Fear binds, but lovin will free me,

Pray, I’m gonna stay, stay soft.


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Show Me Love

by Nicole Miglis (of Hundred Waters)


LYRICS:

Don't let me show cruelty
Though I may make mistakes
Don't let me show ugliness
Though I know I can hate
And don't let me show evil
Though it might be all I take

Show me love
Show me love
Show me love

Don't let me think weakly
Though I know that I can break
Keep me away from apathy
While I am still awake
And don't let me think too long
Of the one I'm bound to face

Show me love
Show me love
Show me love

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Take Time

by Earth Practice

by Earth Practice

Here’s another gem from this trio, Yin, Jessi, and Yam, catching songs, and staying tender-hearted on unceded Lummi & Nooksack territory, in the PNW. You can hear their version of this song here, with special guest, Waldo.

They also host this amazing song podcast, Bliss Is Ordinary, and you can support their work via Patreon.


LYRICS:

Take time with your own heart (2x)
Take time with your own heart
With your own heart, take time.

And, it’s ok to feel…pain 
It’s ok to feel
It’s ok to feel…pain 
It’s ok to feel

(repeat verse and chorus)

There’s light in your own heart (2x)
There’s light in your own heart 
In your own heart, there’s light.

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The Sun Song

by Shireen Amini

by Shireen Amini

Shireen Amini is a queer, non-binary, Puerto Rican-Iranian-American, Earth-loving musician and song-leader based in Portland, Oregon.


LYRICS:

Oo, the Sun is lifting, Lifting me up 

Out of the darkness, Into the light, o-o-oh

Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo

Ooooo

Oo-oo-oo

The Sun is giving me life, giving me life

The Sun is giving me life, giving me life

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We Will Not Be Controlled

by Abigail Bengson

This song was written in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

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. 

Support The Bengsons via patreon.


This version was arranged by Pax Ressler, director and founder of Rise Choir, a queer-centered, radical community choir in Philadelphia, PA.

Support Rise Choir via patreon.


LYRICS:

We will not, we will not

We will not be controlled

I am sovereign in my body

I am sovereign in my soul

 
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