All Is Change
by Anni Zylstra
All is Change, (formerly known as 'Blessed Motion'), became a lifeline for our choir after our region (Western North Carolina) was hit hard by Hurrican Helene in the Fall of 2024. We had to reckon with the truth that things can and do change at a moments notice, and even the rockiest solid ground can be moved when the waves are big enough.
Anni tells the story of this song coming into being in a fast moving fork of the Trinity River in Northern California, inspired by Martin Prechtel’s account of surviving a devestating earthquake in Guatemala. Anni dedicates this song to the work of visionary, Black futurist authors, like Octavia Butler, who are doing the real earth-healing work of these times.
"All that you touch you Change.
All that you Change Changes you.
The only lasting truth is Change.
God is Change."
- Octavia E. Butler, Parable of the Sower
Take Time
This song has been a balm to our hearts, throughout multiple seasons, as a constant reminder to give ourselves permission to be human, in both our tenderness and pain, and our powerful shining light.
In this video, we invite the whole audience to join us for a powerful moment of connection. and sweetness.
Earth Practice is a trio of dear friends, 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.
Sabodisho (Batonebo)
trad. Georgian
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
Practice Tracks
As the season progresses, I will share practice tracks of the songs we are learning. This way you can sing along, and let the work we are doing spread out into the rest of your week!
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