Song Library

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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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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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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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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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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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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