In This Heart

by Shuhada' Sadaqat/Sinéad O’Connor

(from her 1994 album, Universal Mother)

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LYRICS:

Soprano:
In this heart lies for you
A lark born only for you
Who sings only to you
My love
My love
My love

add Tenor:
I am waiting for you
For only to adore you
My heart is for you
My love
My love
My love

add Alto:
This is my grief for you
For only the loss of you
The hurting of you
My love
My love
My love

add Bass:
There are rays on the weather
Soon these tears will have cried
All loneliness have died
My love
My love
My love

I will have you with me
In my arms only
For you are only
My love
My love
My love

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It’s Gonna Change

by James Rose

James Rose (PKA Brave James) is a prolific arranger, composer, performer, producer & educator, based in London.

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LYRICS:

From somewhere deep inside
I let it fall away
Still looking out for me
It’s gonna change someday

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Jewels

by Barbara McAfee

Barbara McAfee is a master voice coach, author, keynote speaker, and singer/songwriter who merges her experience in organization development with the transformative power of sound. Barbara is the founder of the Morning Star Singers, a volunteer hospice choir in the Twin Cities. She lives up the street from the wild and scenic St. Croix River in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.

You can support her work on patreon.
You can listen to her recording of this song here.

Notes from Barbara:

“This song grew out of a conversation I had with a voice coaching client many years ago. The person was struggling to heal after a traumatic brain injury and thought singing would help her brain recover. It did. Meanwhile, when she was having a particularly hard day, I heard myself saying these words to her: "Every time I go into the darkness, I return with fistfuls of jewels." It didn't feel like me talking, but some larger and wiser being.

I filed the line away in my memory. Then in a hot tub under the stars on the south shore of Lake Superior, it found a melody and a second line: "Midnight velvet wraps all around me; stars glitter brilliant above." The third line arose in a community song circle. This song baby has traveled far and wide and is a winter solstice favorite in many communities. “

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LYRICS:

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

Mid: Midnight velvet wraps all around me
Stars glitter brilliant above

High: Dreaming darkness, dreaming light

Morning Star

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.)

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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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Most Beautiful Sky

by Jennifer Levenhagen / arr. Anni Zylstra

This song started as a haiku, written by Jennifer Levenhagen, and Anni Zylstra, was inspired by Eastern European polyphony, added the drone and harmony. Both artists are based in Wisconsin.

You can hear Jennifer’s original version of the song here.

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LYRICS:

Most beautiful sky
I see
How you change each day
And each day
Remain

Net of Remembrance

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. You can hear her recording of this song here.

Support her work via patreon.

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LYRICS:

Low:
Everyone feels and carries
Different parts of the story

Mid:
And together we weave, we weave the net,
Of remember, of remember-ance

High:
We were not made, we were not created
To hold this, hold this all alone.

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One Step At A Time

by Samara Jade

Samara Jade is a musician and songwriter who lives here in the Asheville, NC area.

You can support her work via Patreon.

I learned this song from Samara Jade (based here in so-called Asheville, NC) who caught it while climbing the 300 ft. “Ladder of Doom” on her way to the peak of Washington State’s Mount Olympus! A powerful song for a powerful journey. Thank you for your courage, Samara!

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LYRICS:

High:
(I got this) One step at a time.
I’ll take it one step at a time
I got this mountain to climb.
I’ll take it one step, one step at a time

Mid:
This looks daunting. This feels scary.
But every little step in my life has prepared me.

Low:
One foot in front of the other,
Never looking forward, never looking back.
One foot in front of the other,
Got to keep the groove a movin’, gotta keep on track

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Over // Under

by Lyndsey Scott / A-Rhodd

This anthem for collective liberation was co-created by Lyndsey Scott (a songleader based in so-called Iowa) and Anthony Rhodd (indigenous incarcerated author).

I was lucky enough to get to learn this from Lyndsey herself, and it has been resonating in me ever since.

Over // Under is an invitation to imagine ourselves beyond the carceral state into right relation, through brave connection, grief practice, the fire of forgiveness, and radical care. - Lyndsey

You can buy this track, and read more about the backstory of this song on Lyndsey’s bandcamp.

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LYRICS:

Over / Under    All the way through
Over / Under    Back to You
Over / Under    All the way down
Over / Under    Lost then Found

Call: I am the love that doesn’t leave
Response: We do this til we free us!

Call: Feel through the dark is how we see
Response: We do this til we free us!

Call: We are remembering how to grieve
Response: We do this til we free us!

Call: You are a part of my family
Response: We do this til we free us!

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Peace

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.

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LYRICS:

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

Peace in my mind
Even when I’m not fine

In honor of
David Sidney James Hamilton
(July 21, 1986 - April 21, 2025)

“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

Pusta Mladost

Bulgarian/Macedonian folk song

from the Pirin Region of southwest Bulgaria, near Greece

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LYRICS:

Pusta mladost, malé, pusta mladost,
pusta mladost mila y malé ne se stiga
pusta mladost mila y malé ne se stiga.

(Ne se stiga, malé, ne se srešcha
ni se s pari mila y malé ne kupuva
ni se s pari mila y malé ne kupuva.)

Mladost teče, malé, mladost teče,
mladost teče, mila y malé kato voda
mladost teče, mila y malé kato voda.

Starost debi, malé, starost debi
starost debi mila y malé kato senča
starost debi mila y malé kato senča.

English translation:

Wretched youth, mother, wretched youth.
Wretched youth, dear mother, is never enough.

It's never enough, mother, it cannot be met
and with money, dear mother, it cannot be bought.

Youth flows, mother, youth flows.
Youth flows, dear mother, like water.

Old age lurks, mother, old age lurks.
Old age lurks, dear mother, like a shadow.

Resonant Vessel

by Samara Jade

Samara Jade is a musician and songwriter who lives here in the Asheville, NC area.

You can support her work via Patreon.

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LYRICS:

May my voice
Be a strong and resonant vessel
For love, for truth
For healing in this world

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Rich Man’s House

by Anne Feeney & The Kensington Welfare Rights Union (with new verses by Resistance Revival Chorus)

This traditional labor movement song was born out of the work of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union, a women-led effort to defray the oppression of the poor community in Philadelphia, PA, in the 1990’s. This organization still exists, but is now called the Poor People’s Army. You can find out more about the history of KWRU here.

Anne Feeney (1951-2021) was an American folk musician, singer-songwriter, political activist and attorney. She spent her life fighting for justice and used music to bring people together for this cause.

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LYRICS:

(Well I…)

…Went down to the rich man's house
And I, took back what he (they) stole from me
(Took it back…) …Took back my dignity
(Took it back…) …Took back my humanity (repeat)

(Now he's…) …Under my feet (x4)
Ain't gonna let the system walk all over me!

(Additional verses - RRC version:)

…Went down to the NRA / jailhouse / border / Whitehouse

(last time repeat)
Now he's…
…under my feet (x4)
Ain't gonna let the system walk all over me!

Chords: Am - - - / Dm - Am - :// Am - - - / - Dm Am -

Additional verses - original version:
landlord's house (he) / welfare office (they) / governor’s house (he)

The version of this song that we are singing uses the new verses added by The Resistance Revival Chorus. This is the song that inspired and birthed this amazing protest choir, based in NYC.

Rise Up O Flame

A 16th century canon

lyrics - anonymous / melody - attributed to Christoph Praetorius

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LYRICS:

Rise up, O flame
By thy light glowing 
Show to us beauty
Vision and joy

Sabodisho

This traditional healing song comes from the Guria province of Georgia (bordered by the Black Sea on it’s Western shore), and is sung as a prayer for healing over sick children.

"The bat'onebi (lords) are spirits who live beyond the Black Sea. They allow parts of their realm to appear in the most diverse corners of the world. They obey a "Highest Lord", who, to test the loyalty of humankind, sends bat'onebi out in all directions. Dissidents are to be killed or enslaved. During the day, the bat'onebi move about on mules. In the evening, they return to the houses of the sick and reside in the bodies of the stricken. Bat'onebi are to be obeyed without question, as resistance only enrages them. Nonetheless, their hearts can be won over with tenderness and caresses; thus it is possible to protect oneself from calamity. Bat'onebi enjoy gentle songs and the bright sound of instrumental music." - Ensemble Mzetamze

You can listen to a version by Ensemble Ialoni that has all the verses here. (The harmonies are slightly different than the version we are singing.)

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LYRICS:

bat’onebo, mouokhe,
mouokhe, bat’onebo.
lamazi bat’onebia,
ia da vardi penia. (x2)

tetri t’ani samoselit,
mo-brdzan-de-bi-an bich’ebi.
lamazi bat’onebia,
ia da vardi penia. (x2)

bat’onebs ekhvets’ebian,
bat’onebs ekhvets’ebian,
shemogts’irav ias da vards
da daginteb ts’mida bazmas.

tetri tskhvaris da tkhis jogi
modis tik’anma ikht’una.
gaukharda bat’onebsa,
dautsbad p’iri ibruna.

English (translated by Frank Kane):

Oh, lords, help,
have mercy, oh lords.
Beautiful lords,
bedecked with violets and roses.

Wearing white clothes,
The boys come.
O beautiful spirits!
Violets and roses are spread out .

They implore the spirits,
They implore the spirits,
I offer you violets and roses,
And I light for you the holy walnut.

White sheep and a herd of goats,
a lamb came jumping.
The lords enjoyed this,
and turning away, left us.

Original Georgian:

ბატონეო, მოუოხე.
მოუოხე ბატონებო.
ლამაზი ბატონებია,
ია და ვარდი ფენია.

თეთრი ტანისამოსელით
მობრძანდებიან ბიჭებე.
ლამაზი ბატონებია,
ია და ვარდი ფენია.

ბატონეს ეხვეწებიან,
ბატონებს ეხვეწებიან,
შემოგწირავ იას და ვარდს
და დაგინთებ წმიდა ბაზმას.

თეთრი ცხვარის და თხი ჯოგი ,
მოდის თიკანმა იხტუნა ,
გაუხარდა ბატონებსა
დაუსბად პირი იბრუნა.

Savoleyo

by Laboratorium Pieśni

Savoleyo is a simple three-part intuitive chant created by members of the Polish polyphonic vocal ensemble Laboratorium Piesni. The words are vocables (equivalent of English 'la la la'). 

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LYRICS:

Savoleyo leya-ho

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Sede Sedenkya

Traditional Bulgarian work song

I learned this one from Anni Zylstra, and here is what she has to say about this song:

Sede Sedenkya is a song from Bulgaria's sedenkya tradition. A sedenkya is a 'working-bee', or a gathering in which young people get together and do as much handwork and mending as possible. In folklore, the sedenkya is a place of singing, dancing, and often involves rowdiness like gossip, flirtation, and courtship. 

This is a popular song from the Shoppe region in northwest Bulgaria, and is one I learned from Pepe Koucheva while studying music in Bulgaria in 2019. - Anni

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LYRICS:

Middles:

1.  (Sede sedenkya shto sede)
Pa poide da se razturya
Pa poide da se razturya

 Koi s pobratima
Eeeeh…. s nikoga
Sirota Zanka s ni!
Sirota Zanka s nikoga

2.  (Eta go Gencha ot vrata)
Pavati Zanku za ruku
Pavati Zanku za ruku

 Pavodi doma
Eeeeh….otmena
Eteti male ot!
Eteti male otmena

3.  (Na tatu meka postelya)
Na makya bela premena
Na makya bela premena

 Na bratu voda
Eeeeh… zasmena
Na mene bulka za!
Na mene bulka zasmena

Bass:

1.  (Sede sedenkya shto sede
Pa poide da se razturya
Pa poide da se razturya)

 Koi s pobratima
Sirota Zanka s nikoga
Eeeeh… s ni!
Sirota Zanka s nikoga

2.  (Eta go Gencha ot vrata
Pavati Zanku za ruku
Pavati Zanku za ruku)

 Pavodi doma
Eteti male otmena
Eeeeh…..ot!
Eteti male otmena

3.  (Na tatu meka postelya
Na makya bela premena
Na makya bela premena)

 Na bratu voda
Na mene bulka zasmena
Eeeeh…. za!
Na mene bulka zasmena

Tops:

1.  Sede sedenkya shto sede
Pa poide da se razturya
Pa poide da se razturya

Koi s brata koi s pobratima
Sirota Zanka s nikoga
Sirota Zanka s ni! iii!
Sirota Zanka s nikoga

2.  Eta go Gencha ot vrata
Pavati Zanku za ruku
Pavati Zanku za ruku 

Pavodi vodi ta doma
Eteti male otmena
Eteti male ot! iii!
Eteti male otmena

3.  Na tatu meka postelya
Na makya bela premena
Na makya bela premena

Na bratu voda studena
Na mene bulka zasmena
Na mene bulka za! iii!
Na mene bulka zasmena

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Poetic Translation:

There was a working gathering
and then everyone went away

Some with a brother, some with a friend
but orphan Zanka had no one

Gencha stepped out of the door
and took Zanka's hand

He brought her to his home
here, mother, is your help.

She will make father's bed
and sew white clothes

She will give my brother cold water
and she will be my smiling bride.

Shael, Shael, y’al Jamali

a traditional Palestinian tarweeda

This powerful tarweeda, شيل شيل عالجماله , (transliterated as Shael, Shael, y'al Jamali) came to us from Gaza via Ahmed Muin Abu Amsha & his students, Gaza Birds Singing, when he shared a video of himself singing this with his students as a way to process the constant noise of the IOF drones flying overhead. Ahmed was inspired, by Zaid Hilal, who incorporated this traditional song into his recording, Libre Palestina.

You can find out more about Ahmed’s work through his project, Songs From the Rubble. You can listen to his music and support him and his family and students through Songs From the Rubble bandcamp.

Here is a message about the song from Ahmed:

A call to lift the weight of truth, the voice of courage, and the spirit that refuses to be silenced.

A tribute to those who held on to the truth until their very last breath, to every soul that spread light through honest words, and refused to be silenced in the face of injustice.

Peace to their souls… their memory will forever be a light in our hearts.

with love, 
Ahmed Muin from Gaza

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LYRICS:

This transliteration/translation, are my best effort to compile and sift through all the information I found in my research, and to best equate to an accurate pronunciation of the original Arabic, and a translation that makes the most sense in English (which is inadequate).

Phonetic transliteration:

Shael shael y’al Jamali
Shael, ya hawattak b’Allah
Dem al’shahee_d’matar bil heil 
Leil ya leilo
Wael wael a’dzhalimi
Waelo waelo min Allah
La’as_har ala nujum el leil 
An’a dawaelo

English Translation:

Carry, carry, oh camel driver, 
Carry. I entrust you to God
The martyr’s blood is perfumed with cardamom
Night, oh night
Woe, woe to the oppressor
Woe, woe to him from God
I will stay awake under the stars of the night
Crying out to him

Original Arabic:

شيل شيل عالجمال
شيل يا حوطك بالله 
دم الشهيد معطر بالهيل
ليل يا ليلو 
ويل ويل عالظالم
ويله ويله من الله 
لسهر على نجوم الليل
انا داويله

Show Me Love

by Nicole Miglis (Hundred Waters)

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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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Sisters Of Winter

by MILCK Music

Connie Lim is an Asian-American songwriter, based in LA, whose powerful harmony arrangements have inspired singers across the world to raise their voices for freedom. Her songs have been sung at marches and protests and continue to breathe life into the work of liberation.

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LYRICS:

Verse 1:
The king’s shadow is moving again
Baby there’s blood in the river
Get ready for storms ahead
Call on the sisters of winter

Breathe out don’t keep it in
Grief is a sacred giver
Keep steady and rest your head
At dawn we ride together

Chorus:
When the sky turns golden we will ride
Ride
When the sky turns golden we will ride
Ride
For mothers fathers who have cried
Ride
When the sky turns golden we will…
Ride

Verse 2:
The king’s shadow is moving again
Don’t you get pulled by the silence
Get ready for storm’s ahead
We are the lamb and the lion

Scream out don’t keep it in
Rage is a sacred giver
Keep steady and rest your head
At dawn we ride together

Chorus:
When the sky turns golden we will ride
Ride
When the sky turns golden we will ride
Ride
For mothers fathers who have cried
Ride
When the sky turns golden we will ride

(Ending:)
Come what may
God is change
Be ready as the water

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Skunks Are Coming Out

by Heidi Wilson

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.

This song was inspired by maple sugaring season in Vermont, which coincides with mating season for the skunk population! Here in WNC, our skunks begin emerging to scout for food and mates in mid-February, and will be on the hunt til mid-April. Skunks are mostly nocturnal, but can sometimes be spotted in the daytime, often foraging from household waste.

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LYRICS:

Low:
Drip, drip, drip
Drippy, drippy
Drip, drip, drip
Drippy, drippy

Mid:
Skunks are coming out
Oooo, they’re coming out
Skunks are coming out
To find some food

High:
I can hear the creeks flowing
I can smell the sap boiling
I can feel the sun shining
Drip drip drip

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