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Subject: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt sang From: GUEST,nyc-kat Date: 17 Aug 01 - 11:55 AM I'm desperately searching for a beautiful song I heard Claudia Schmidt sing on Prarie Home Companion in the 80ties, that I very much want to use in my upcoming wedding ceremony. I don't think she ever recorded it. She introduced as a native american indian wedding blessing. The chorus was something like this: May you find peace in the twilight, joy in the starlight, and hope in the fresh bright light of morning May you grow strong in the sunlight and wise in the clear light and grow old with the light of your life There were also verses, and something about "the bird of paradise". I've searched everywhere? Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks for your help! |
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Subject: Claudia Schmidt Song From: Joe Offer Date: 17 Aug 01 - 01:21 PM Hmmm. It sounds very familiar, but I can't find it. You may want to go to Claudia Schmidt's Website (click) and ask there. If you find the song, please come back to this thread and post it here. Thanks. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: GUEST,nyc-kat Date: 17 Aug 01 - 02:15 PM Thanks, Joe Offer. I did try her website a few weeks ago, and it wasn't on there. (maybe because she never recorded it?) I also tried to email her, using the address on the website, but it came back to me. If you have any other ideas/suggestions I'd be grateful! It's a great song, and our wedding is September 1st! Thanks again, nyc-kat |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: Joe Offer Date: 17 Aug 01 - 02:56 PM Dang, I thought the Website would work. Well, I'll get to work and see what I can find. The one I was thinking about is "Blessing," written by Claudia Schmidt and recordt and Sally Rogers on the "Closing the Distance" CD. I don't think that's the one, though. The CD doesn't have a lyric sheet, unfortunately. The first verse is:
It has a Native American feel to it, but I don't think it's the one you want. It's a good song, though. I may complete the transcription later and post it here. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: katlaughing Date: 17 Aug 01 - 03:32 PM I found a real audio file of that one Joe, but darned if I can get it to play. If you have real jukebox and are patient, it looks as though you can get the lyrics, for $1.49, plus the actual audio, at this site I'll check more of the Native American links, nyckat, unless you let us know if that is the right one. I also have a Native American blessing which I wrote for my daughter's wedding and which several other people have used for theirs. If you are interested I will post it. Please do not feel any obligation to do so. I hope we can help you find the one you are looking for! kat |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: Joe Offer Date: 17 Aug 01 - 04:13 PM Looks like I won't have any luck. I checked four Claudia Schmidt CD's, "Essential Tension," "It Looks Fine From Here," "Big Earful," and "Closing the Distance." Didn't have luck with any of them. When she was a regular on Prairie Home Companion, she often did songs not in her usual repertoire, so it's quite possible this one didn't end up on a CD. Try contacting her agent - information on this page (click) -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: GUEST Date: 17 Aug 01 - 07:29 PM But it may be on a Prairie Home Companion CD. You could contact them--sure they have on-line site. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: GUEST Date: 17 Aug 01 - 07:43 PM PS Since you are in a time bind, why not directly (as in by phone) contact her record company, Red House Records, and ask them if they can find out for you? www.redhouserecords.com I think. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: GUEST,nyc-kat Date: 24 Aug 01 - 12:06 AM Wow! Thank you all so much for the suggestions! I'd also seen the song "Blessing" on one of her CDs, downloaded it, and was disappointed. But I'll let you know as soon as /if I have any success with either her agent or record company. Not sure how to approach the Prarie Home Companion angle. I'm sure it is the case that she performed this song on the air and that it wasn't in her "repertoire." Thanks again. This is such a great site. I was dazzled when I found it! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: GUEST,nyc-kat Date: 24 Aug 01 - 12:23 AM Wow! Thank you all so much for the suggestions! Sorry I've been away from my computer and hetic with other wedding stuff and so haven't responded in almost a week, but I'm still hoping to find this song in time! Joe Offer and katlaughing - I'd also seen the song "Blessing" on one of her CDs, downloaded it, and was disappointed to find that that wasn't it at all. I'd love more information on those native american links you mentioned. And I'll let you know as soon as/if I have any success with either her agent or record company. Not sure how to approach the Prarie Home Companion angle. I'm sure Joe's right, and that it's simply the case that though she performed this song on the air it wasn't in her "repertoire." Thanks again. I felt so alone and discouraged with this search. It is wonderful to discover such a great site. I was dazzled when I found it! So I guess even if don't find my song in time for wedding (knock wood) I've gained the knowlegde of the existence of Mudcat! nyc-kat |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: Joe Offer Date: 24 Aug 01 - 02:58 PM Hi, Kat - I heard Claudia sing The New Restaurant (click) on Prairie Home Companion, and I really liked it. I asked her about it, and she said it "wasn't her style" and did it just because she was told to - but she did a great job. I'm not completely sure I like "her style," but she sure has a beautiful voice. I'd say the best way to find the song is to call the phone numbers listed on her Website, since the e-mail doesn't seem to work. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: katlaughing Date: 24 Aug 01 - 03:50 PM Hi, nyckat, I hope when you have time that you will join us and reap all of the benefits of FREE membership. You can receive and send personal messages with other members, trace threads that you want to keep track of, and have a personal page for bookmarks, etc. One of my favourite Native American links is AIROS.ORG which stands for American Indian Radio on Satellite, but is so MUCH more, with some good links. You might just give them a call, they may know the blessing you are looking for. While I don't think this one will help with your search, it is also an incredible site with lots of links: Indian Circle Webring This one has a lot of rites, but not one for marriage: Lakotah Culture and Spirituality Here is the one i worte for my daughter and her husband. Other people have used it and changed the pronoun, said it as their vows to one another, or one couple turned to their friends and family and read it to them. Feel free to use it or not. I just ask that I be given credit if you do choose to use it.:-)
On this day, I wish for you, Clear skies full of promise, Pledges of love and prosperity in all ways. Through the years, I ask for cleansing winds To tatter any clouds of sorrow, Or raindrops of anger. I ask the Great Spirit to Guide your minds and hearts To think before speaking, To love without judgement, To cherish in all ways, To respect with honour, For in the division of hurts, There is no honour. May you walk in balance With our Grandfather Sky to watch over you; Our Mother Earth to hold you safe within her folds; Brother Sun to spread his warmth across your shoulders And into your hearts, And Sister Moon, to bless your sleep with unending Dreams of happiness. Aho
© 1994 Kathleen LaFrance all rights reservedkatlaughing
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: CRANKY YANKEE Date: 24 Aug 01 - 04:56 PM I am a Native American, I was born in the USA. There are no Homo Sapiens indigenous to the entire Western Hemisphere. None that we know about anyway. I don't object (actually encourage) to the term, "First Americans". But, the American Indians, the first Americans, are just as much of immigrant stock as I am. In my opinion, there were tribes here that were more civilized than the Europeans who betrayed their trust. The Cherokee, for instance, and the Narragansett. Thanks to Roger Williams, the Narragansett still live in their ancestral lands. Stone age technology or not, if the Cherokee and others as civilized had a maritime tradition, they might have discovered Europe and the "savages" who lived there. But, please stop using the term "Native Americans" unless you include me and others of Asian, African and/or European heritage. To change the subject, Do any of you "non-Yankee" (not from the five New England States) people knopw how come Roger Williams founded the State of Rhode Island and Providence plantations? (our official name) He was an Anglican clergyman forced to leave the Massachusetts Bay Colony because of his liberal and enlightened philosophy. Suffering from Bronchial pneumonia,in the dead of winter he paddled a canoe to what is now Providence, where, upon landing, he was greeted by a Narragansett who asked, "What Cheer, Neetop?" (in English) which in today's vernacular would translate as, "What's happening, friend?" They nursed him back to health. He learned their language, and also learned Pequod (who now operate the foxwood Gambling casino in North Eastern Connecticut) As a result he arbitrated a treaty between the Rhode Island "First Americans" and the English settlers. Unfortunately, and contrary to his intent, the Narragansett suffered greiviously at the hands of the savage Englishmen. But, They still live here, in harmony with their neighbors, and enjoy a good deal of autonomy in their own lands. Roger Williams' philosophy of "learn to like your neighbors" survives to this day in most of our state. We make jokes about eachother, but knowing that it comes from friends, no one is offended. Like Don Bosquet's, now famous, cartoon depicting two Woonsocket-ites, of French descent, hoofing it , on stage, and singing "We travel along, singing our song, side by each" When the Hasidic Jews from Portugal and Spain, fleeing the inquisition, came to Newport, the Quakers, who were here first, learned to like their new neighbors so much, that they petittioned the King to grant them the same rights as Englishmen. He did. And, this is our tradition, to this day. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: CRANKY YANKEE Date: 24 Aug 01 - 05:05 PM Kat/Katlaughing. neetop, Please take it from me, who spent 15 years in Air Traffic Control Towers, there is only one sky and the wind only blows in one direction at any one time. The word "wind" describes a phenomenon and doesn't lend itself to pleuralization. So there. I've got to be cranky about something, every now and then, don't I? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: katlaughing Date: 24 Aug 01 - 05:15 PM Thanks, Jody, I did find RI friendly and interesting historically. I am sorry you do not like the term Native American and I get your point, but for now it is an acceptable term. I have discussed this with First Americans and they run the gamut as to opinion, from not caring if they are called Indian, to prefering only certain terms such as Native American, American of Native descent or First Nation's people. I prefer the First Nations term, but it has not gained in popularity as yet, although I have seen Amerindian being used. At least people recognise Native American as opposed to the catch-all Indian which is a misnomer anyway. Finally, Jody, I know you mean well, but every one of those links I put in uses the NA term and they ARE First Americans, everyone of them! I don't think I have the right to tell them they shouldn't use that term. Now, NYCKAT, good luck on finding what you want for a blessing and may you have a wonderful wedding! katlaughing |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: katlaughing Date: 24 Aug 01 - 05:28 PM That you do, Jody neetop...**BG** Thanks, but I am leaving it written that way, as those are the words which came from my heart which longed so to be in Yankeeland for the wedding of my daughter and couldn't be. I still luvya...kat*smile* |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: CRANKY YANKEE Date: 24 Aug 01 - 05:58 PM (Off the Subject) Kat/kATLAUGHING. There's another, now famous, Don Bosquet cartoon showing a large sign by the roadside which says, "ENTERING RHODE ISLAND, KEEP YER SMART REMARKS TO YOURSELVES" Also, sign on the Newport Bridge (cartoon, now worn on "native" T-shirts) WELCOME TO NEWPORT, NOW GO HOME. Love, Jody |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Date: 24 Aug 01 - 06:26 PM Cranky, Native American is in general use by Native Americans. A number of their organizations use Native American in their copyright titles. The term has been used for American Indian for a long time ((see Webster's). A term sometimes used by Native Americans in Canada is aboriginal (having no known race preceding them in the region. Cranky, to a Native American you are just another foreigner. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: Coyote Breath Date: 25 Aug 01 - 01:21 AM Would it be too obscure to refer to "the folks that were here before the Europeans came and screwed them outta house and home" as: The People? because that is what the various groups called themselves. We are the ones with the nomenclature problem. My granddaughter is of the Bedonkoe band of Chiricahua, also called Apache. I call her Serena. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Date: 25 Aug 01 - 01:40 PM Similarly the Dine and others, but intertribal organizations often use collective terms such as Native American. It is easier for the occupiers to understand. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: katlaughing Date: 25 Aug 01 - 02:46 PM Coyote Breath, I understand, but in general society, I don't think The People would be understood, unfortunately. Outside of tribal society, most would mistake it for the more common usage, as in "We, the People" in the Constitution, which, I know borrowed heavily from the Five Nations. My daughter is part Cherokee, in fact we just found her genealogy going back before the Trail of Tears. When she speaks to someone of her heritage, she says "Cherokee" but takes no offense at the term Native American. We also have Mohawk in our ancestry. Jodydarlin', I remember seeing those signs on my few trips over from Mystic!**BG** One of my favourite tshirts we bought at a powwow in Rhode Island shows a beautiful portrait of a First Nation person with a shield design and it says "The First Americans." We also bought another one which had a funny caption about the Pilgrims, but I'll have to wait for Rog to get home; I can't remember the caption. Coyote Breath, do you use Paltalk, the program we use for virtual song circles? If so and you go into the music forums, there is quite often a really great Native American Music forum open. It's moderated, usually, by a woman in Nebraska. A lot of it is cd's and tapes of traditional and contemporary NDN music, but people are free to sing and or play an instrument, or tell a story or read a poem, as long as it is First Nations related. I've always felt very welcome and comfortable in there. That "NDN" is from Keith Secola's song "NDN Cars" one of my favourite songs. Also, on AIROS, which I linked above, they have a program called AlterNATIVE Voices, which is a fantastic program and I like the title! Mitakuye Oyasin, kat |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: GUEST,russell bell Date: 03 May 09 - 06:31 PM I heard Claudia Schmidt & Peggy Seeger sing this as a duet on 'Mountain Stage' in the 1980s. I wrote her a letter asking for the music & lyrics. She wrote back that it was 'Oliver's song, remember him? Had a hit with 'Good Morning Starshine' in the '60s? I never found it. His full name was William Oliver Swofford. He's dead now. russell bell |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: GUEST Date: 22 Dec 10 - 07:51 AM Here it is 2010 already...I do not know how these posting things work, but I was looking for the same lyrics and here is what I know...I also asked Claudia about this song once and she said it was an Oliver song, but I was not successful in tracking it down either...I do remember one of the verses, I think..the "light" lines are a chorus: My friend I hope one of your bright ideas make you rich And all your small transgressions soon are pardoned And may all your rainy days, wash all your blues away And insure a fine strong harvest from your garden It was a great song and I'm still looking for the source |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: pdq Date: 22 Dec 10 - 12:37 PM Claudia Schmidt is still working and has an active website... http://www.claudiaschmidt.com/ |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: GUEST,NJMom Date: 03 Sep 12 - 12:05 PM I think I remember the second verse: When you've been far too down far too long And all your life don't seem worth the trying I hope the bird of paradise appears righ before your eyes And steals your heart and takes it for a flying. I think I know all the words -- but would love to know who wrote this and to find a recording. I have "googled" over the years --- and then today just took a chance and "googled" again. An up popped this website! I also e-mailed PHC and they have no record/recollection of the song. I think the show was broadcase in the mid-80's and I think the show was broadcast from outdoors. I also think Sally Rogers was a guest. I loved the song so much I wrote the words as fast as I could and then put them to memory. Everytime I have shared the words -- and my very poor reproduction of the tune -- for folks, they have all wanted to know who wrote it and could they get a recording.... My search wil continue -- and I will keep checking back here! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: GUEST,JjrBrownieRed Date: 14 Jun 21 - 03:53 PM Its It's been almost 20 years - did you ever find your song?? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3WW0D5dsCtE&list=PLGQnBferWohiQYPcHdo7vd1dkADVVZUog&index=21 |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: GUEST Date: 14 Jun 21 - 04:00 PM THIS IS YOUR SONG! - Oliver - Light of Your Life |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: nativeamerican song claudia schmidt From: Joe Offer Date: 16 Jun 21 - 06:57 PM That's the song, and it's a nice one. Needs transcription. Oliver - Light of Your Life |
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