Songs for Haiti

Subject: Songs for Haiti
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 10:24 AM

I'm pulling together songs for my chorus, and am wondering what songs are out there that you may be singing (or thinking about) in response to the Haiti earthquake. I am thinking about songs that urge a response to action, as well as compassion songs, grieving songs, what have you?

Some that spring to mind:

Prayer for the children
Family Tree
What can one little person do?

I've found a lullabye here
and some traditional Haitian songs
here.

What else can we sing?

Subject: RE: Songs for Haiti
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 10:43 AM

Thank you for this thread. I am planning an interfaith service for Haiti next week and was just about to post a similar query. I'm particularly interested in Haitian songs that might be teachable to a large group.


Dan

Subject: RE: Songs for Haiti
From: GUEST,iancarterb
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 11:10 AM

I've always found Wayfaring Stranger a widely known and cross-cultural grieving and determination hymn. No event like earthquake or tsunami or volcano remind us so throughly of the transitory nature of this life.
Carter

Subject: RE: Songs for Haiti
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 11:15 AM

I know you've been into the Smithsonian site already. However, if you go back to the home page http://www.folkways.si.edu/ and search for Haiti, it will come up with about 30 entries. You should be able to find something at Caribbean Songs and Games for Children. Various Artists FW07856.

Also, Lullaby and Goodnight. Trudie Richman.FW07572 has one Haitian lullaby on it; Bon Soir Dame. It's a different song to the one you've already unearthed.

Good luck.

Subject: RE: Songs for Haiti
From: Mrrzy
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 12:40 PM

California Earthquake?

Subject: RE: Songs for Haiti
From: GUEST,999
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 03:36 PM

In Haiti, There is Anguish

ST. CHRISTOPHER 7.6.8.6.8.6.8.6 ("Beneath the Cross of Jesus")



In Haiti, there is anguish that seems too much to bear;

A land so used to sorrow now knows even more despair.

From city streets, the cries of grief rise up to hills above;

In all the sorrow, pain and death, where are you, God of love?



A woman sifts through rubble, a man has lost his home,

A hungry, orphaned toddler sobs, for she is now alone.

Where are you, Lord, when thousands die—the rich, the poorest poor?

Were you the very first to cry for all that is no more?



O God, you love your children; you hear each lifted prayer!

May all who suffer in that land know you are present there.

In moments of compassion shown, in simple acts of grace,

May those in pain find healing balm, and know your love's embrace.



Where are you in the anguish?   Lord, may we hear anew

That anywhere your world cries out, you're there-- and suffering, too.

And may we see, in others' pain, the cross we're called to bear;

Send out your church in Jesus' name to pray, to serve, to share.



Tune: Frederick Charles Maker, 1881

Text: Text: Copyright © 2010 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Permission is given for use by those who support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Subject: RE: Songs for Haiti
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 05:21 PM

Wow, Peace. It is almost impossible to get through that whole poem.

Subject: RE: Songs for Haiti
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 05:29 PM

An aside here - In looking for Haitian songs I came across this:

"A few yards away a group of women were singing and clapping, the tuneful sounds piercing the evening hush.

"Small groups appeared to be gathering around the city to sing and pray in their hour of despair.

"The praying and singing is getting louder..more and more people are gathering..so much suffering..so much destruction," said US musician Richard Morse based in Haiti in a message posted on his Twitter account.

"People have remained very calm and helpful..once more, as the sun sets, the singing begins, the night brings uncertainty," he said on the micro Internet networking site.

"I hear help is coming....tomorrow."

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100114/twl-haiti-quake-horror-4bdc673.html

Subject: RE: Songs for Haiti
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 08:02 AM

Refresh- hymns, social justice/unity songs, more??

Subject: RE: Songs for Haiti
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 08:15 AM

999, that was amazing. Fred, thanks for the tip (and the song, via email).

I'm sort of bemused that more people aren't thinking about songs for Haiti, but maybe they're expressing in their own way.

Subject: RE: Songs for Haiti
From: GUEST,emma-leigh
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 12:26 AM

Hi there,
I'm looking for some suggestions. I was asked to sing at Hatian benefit concert, i have a 15 min time slot and i want to perform 3-4 really moving pieces, but I have no idea what to pick. Any ideas?