Songs of hope and healing

Subject: Songs of hope and healing
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 06:17 PM

Suppose you were interested in putting together a CD of Songs of Hope and Healing, both as a fund-raiser for your local Hope Center or hospice and a spirit-booster/music therapy for their patients and others. Rounding up musicians is no problem (you might even want to record live at a local church with wonderful acoustics and use the audience as a chorus). But what songs would you want to record? Cris Williamson's "Song of the Soul" would be a ready choice, but the material needs a gentler start (that line "come to your life like a warrior" would be a slap in the face to somebody really hurting). Your community represents wide religious and non-religious diversity; hymns must be handled with care. So what would be on your list?

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 06:31 PM

I dno't know and this gets very personal but for me and hope, probably "I Heard the Voice Of Jesus Say" but it needs somebody with my beliefs to understand that one.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 06:35 PM

Gordon Bok's "Turning Toward Morning"

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: GUEST,emily rain at the U Dub
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 06:42 PM

"to my old brown earth" by pete seeger

"there is a balm in gilead"

"i ain't no ways tired"

"ancient mother" (the libana one... ancient mother / i hear you calling / ancient mother / i sing your song / ancient mother / i join your laughter / ancient mother / i taste your tears"

"air on a g string" by bach

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 06:42 PM

The Great Storm Is Over, Life's Railway to Heaven

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Mbo
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 07:17 PM

Definately "Another Rolling Stone" by Rod Patterson, "Sail On" by Dick Gaughan, "What You Do With What You Got" (I like the John Wright Band version), "Trouble in the Fields" ( I like the Nanci Griffith/ Maura O'Connell duet version), "From Here To There" by Battlefield Band, "All Or Nothing" by Eddi Reader, and "Stepping Stones" by Dougie MacLean. These, at least, are the ones that make me feel better on those frequent times when I don't feel so well.

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 07:20 PM

Oh, gosh, great thread- my chorus focuses on songs of healing- with the view that to sing is to heal. Let's see... specific healing songs would be
Courage my soul
Ionn Da (Seal-woman's sea joy)
Sing 'til the power of the Lord come down (somehow folks who object to being preached at don't usually mind African-American spirituals from the slave tradition since they represent so much hope out of struggle and oppression)

Then for consolation, let's sing
I bid you goodnight
Hallowell from the latest Sacred Harp - refrain repeats the lines The dead lift me up... I see them face to face... powerful!

Hmmmmmm- I'll keep thinking and check back here.
Peace, Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Metchosin
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 07:33 PM

The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics, a song of regret, catharsis, and the birth of hope.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 07:37 PM

How Can I Keep From Singing!

"No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that rock I'm clinging"

Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Mbo
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 07:49 PM

Ooh, howabout "A Beautiful City" from the movie version of Stephen Schwartz's classic music "Godspell." Man I love that song!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: GUEST,MAG
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 07:58 PM

"O Mary, don't you weep don't you moan"

Seeger's "Old Devil Time"

Ellen McIlwaine had a great one, sort of a chant -- I'll post it tomorrow if this thread is still going (as I think it will be -- great thread.)

MA (still tracking down the problem between my server and my computer)

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 08:12 PM

To be a Pilgrim.

Quite a few Sydney Carter songs - George Fox, Lord of the Dance, One More Step, Travel On.

Tis a Gift to be Simple

The Parting Glass

The Summer Time is Coming

Jug of Punch

If it was in America I'd push for This Land is Your Land."

If it was in England I'd push for "Leaning on a Lamp ost"

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Mbo
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 08:23 PM

McGrath--"Even the cripple forgets his hunch, when he's snug outside of a jug of punch." Well! I never would have thought of that one! Good thinking!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Metchosin
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 08:44 PM

Stan Roger's, May the Mary Ellen Carter Rise Again.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: fulurum
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 08:46 PM

I Will Pass This Way Again. (Small Potatoes) When my time is up And my body lays down When the candle fades and dims Throw my ashes into a restless wind And I will pass this way again.

Lighthouse (Vincent)

I am a sailor Out on the ocean Far from land As I can be But I am not afraid No I will never worry Cause the light of your lighthouse Shines on me.

Sailing Down My Golden River (Pete Seeger)

Sunlight glancing on the water Life and death are all my own And I was never alone.

Judgement Day (Jim Savarino) (God talking to Jim)

Did you finish the things you wanted? Did you discover my existence,? You weren't the smartest man I made, But you sure did have persistence.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Brendy
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 08:56 PM

A recording of Bob Dylan et al's rendition of "I shall be Released", from The Last Waltz

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 11:01 PM

Gordon Bok's "Hearth and Fire" and Bob Franke's "Thanksgiving Eve." The Carter Family's "Keep On the Sunny Side of Life." "Peace Like a River."

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: JamesJim
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 11:09 PM

To name a few: I'm on my way, Deep River, Get on Board Little Children, Good News, Great Gettin' up Mornin', (couldn't resist this one; it lifts my spirits every time: John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt), Passing Through, This Train. I sure like the ones I've seen above; there are a lot more! Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 11:13 PM

'Another one bites the dust'

GG

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Mary G
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 12:42 AM

Pat Humphries has written some beautiful hopeful songs...which I get mixed up with other people's..I think she wrote Common Thread but I won't swear to it..

and I am confused by the remark in the original posting about it would be a slap in the face to someone to say "come to your life like a warrior.." ....speaking of diversity there are warriors on this list...could you perhaps explain what you meant? And certainly there are warriors who are in serious need of healing and hope from what they have endured..

but perhaps I read this wrong..I couldn't figure out what it meant..

mg

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Melodeon
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 06:41 AM

Troublesome Waters Maybelle Carter. This song really makes me feel better, even though I'm not a fan of country music and I am not a Church goer.

viv

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 08:46 AM

MaryG: When I wrote '"come to your life like a warrior" would be a slap in the face to somebody really hurting,' I was thinking of somebody whose pain couldn't be dulled even by a handful of percocet with a morphine-drip chaser. Not fair to ask someone in that state to be warrior -- at least not without trying to ease pain and build up spirit beforehand. To all: Just reading the titles you've posted is inspiring. Alas, there are several I'm not familiar with and some -- e.g. "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say," the first one I checked -- are absent from the DT. Can/should that be changed? There's abundance of hospice-appropriate material here, less for Hope Center. Is it fair to ask for more on the theme of "songs to play when you're on the way to a CAT scan" (insert your frightening medical procedure of choice)? More songs of courage, maybe some to remind patients they can count on a friend?

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 09:46 AM

James Taylor's You've got a friend

Peace Oh River (in the DT)

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 10:16 AM

JamesJim--Is that "I'm On My Way" the one from Porgy and Bess? If so, the first time I heard it I laughed out loud. It was one of those songs that were familiar, but I couldn't quite place where I had heard it.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 10:31 AM

Markf, mine was probably going down a different line to the intention of this thread but here is the first verse as I remember it:

I heard the voice of Jesus say come unto me and rest
Lay down thy weary one lay down, thy head upon my breast
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad
I found in him a resting place and he has made me glad.

Jon

(BTW, I love the tune too - regardless of beliefs, I like the minor to major change in it).

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 11:04 AM

Yep, Pat Humphries wrote Common Thread.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Áine
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 12:34 PM

'Precious Lord' by Thomas A. Dorsey. -- Áine

Subject: ADD: I'm On My Way to Freedom Land^^
From: JamesJim
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 03:07 PM

Mary in Ky., this is probably not the Porgy and Bess "I'm on my way." The one I'm referring to is an old negro spiritual:

"I'm on my way, to Freedom land
I'm on my way, to Freedom Land
I'm on my way to Freedom land
I'm on my way, Great God, I'm on my way."

Then you can add verses about anybody (Your brother, Sister, Mother, Dad, Boss, etc.), like this:

I'll ask my brother to go with me (3 times)
I'm on my way, great God, I'm on my way

Or:

I'll ask my boss to come with me (3 times),
etc.
If he says no, I'll go anyhow (3 times),
etc.

If you won't go, let your children go (3 times).
etc.

If you won't go, let your mother go
etc.

You can do so much with this and everyone sings! A lot of fun and you can find some good harmony. Regards, Jim

^^

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Susan A-R
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 05:43 PM

Julian of Norwich (also Sydney Carter), And I second Hollowel. It is a wonderful one. Doesn't Gordon Bok also do one called Return to the Earth? Seems I remember listening to it long ago and loving the sentiment. Ewan McCall also wrote one toward the end of his life called The Joy of Lifing (I believe. This is one Ijust heard in passing, and it's great. Mary Travers also did one, quite recently, I believe it's called Home is where the Heart Is. The Rose made the rounds here at hospice events, not sure why, Also the Handel I Know that My Redeemer Liveth is religeous, but it has a lot of quiet certainty to it.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Mbo
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 06:00 PM

Howabout "You're My Best Friend" by Queen? A great song of friendship and the peace and healing comes with friendship.

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 06:04 PM

Gordon's song is called "Return to the Land." It's on his album of the same name, not sure if he wrote it.

I've always loved the Fred Small song whose title I've forgotten for the moment, but the chorus goes,

May the rain run off your shoulder when you're caught in a storm
When the frost comes a-calling, may it find you safe and warm
May your place be set, may your promises be kept
May you never forget you are loved

There's also a wonderful Jacques Brel song, "Heureux". I only know it in French.

Thanks for starting this thread, mark. I'll keep thinking and come back with more.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 06:24 PM

James Keelaghan's song "Who Dies" is the best treatment of death in a song that I've ever heard! But I think ya gotta be pretty well adjusted to appreciate it...

"The Sound Of Singing" by Eric Bogul (sp?) is a great way to start any cd...

"The First Ride" by Don Ross is one of the happiest songs I think I've ever heard...

That's my 0.02

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Amos
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 06:40 PM

Passing through, passing through
Sometimes happy, sometimes blue
Glad that I ran into you.
Tell the people that you saw me, passing through.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 07:04 PM

Gee, all of my favorites have been listed - Bob Franke's "THANKSGIVING EVE" and "THE GREAT STORM IS OVER," Sydney Carter's "Julian of Norwich," "THE MARY ELLEN CARTER" (Stan Rogers), and "HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING." One I'd like to add is IT'S A PLEASURE TO KNOW YOU," because friendship may well be the most powerful source of hope and healing.
I've been having trouble learning the melody of SONG OF THE SOUL," but it's wonderful to hear Cris Williamson or Holly Near sing it. The "warrior" image doesn't bother me - sometimes, we have to be tough to overcome adversity. But yeah, maybe it's not the best as an opener. Set the mood first, and then put in that powerful song.
-Joe Offer-

("Julian of Norwich" was removed from the database at the request of the copyright holder, but it's available in the Rise Up Singing songbook.)

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: GUEST,Judy Predmore
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 02:15 AM

"Seeds of Hope" was co-written by Garnet Rogers & his agent, for an AIDS CD that I don't think ever happened, but it's on one of Garnet's CD's from a few years ago. Garnet was extremely touched when I told him that it meant alot to me. I could tell he really wanted his music to make a difference to people, so he'd probably be fairly cooperative about permission & rights, etc. The chorus: "Take my hand & we will walk together, Take my hand, you will not walk alone, Take my hand, this night won't last forever, We'll harvest seeds of hope we've sown."

"I See My Journey" by Eileen McGann. "...Walk along with me & I will walk with you, On paths of joy & paths of sorrow too... I close my eyes to look for guidance on the road, For peace & joy & strength to bear up any load.." Eileen's quite a social activist, so she'd probably be fairly cooperative also.

"Never Turning Back" by Pat Humphries is in Rise Up Singing, & you can easily change the lyrics to suit your purpose. "Gonna keep on walking forward... Gonna light this night together..." She's another social activist who'd probably be cooperative.

Now onto the more likely to be difficult to get permission from: "The Dance" by Tony Arata, a huge hit for Garth Brooks. It's a love song but it's been used for everything from weddings to funerals to graduations. "...Our lives are better left to chance, I could've missed the pain, But I'd have had to miss the dance.."

"The River" was written by Garth Brooks. "... I'll never reach my destination if I never try, So I will sail my vessel til the river runs dry... I know there'll be rough waters, I'm bound to take some falls, But with the good lord as my shepard, I'll make it through them all..."

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: GUEST,Judy Predmore
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 02:19 AM

I made a mistake in my above post. I always get that line in "The River" wrong: It's "the good lord as my captain" not "as my shepherd". Not too many sheep on rivers...

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Owlkat
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 02:44 AM

Hi hi,
How about "Lean On Me"?
Owl.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: roopoo
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 03:15 AM

I like "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" for inner turmoil. The last two verses for me are the really powerful ones.

mouldy

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 10:09 AM

As of Mouldy's post, 74 songs recommended and seem to represent at least seven stages of a healing cycle: Awakening (songs that remind life worth living). Assurance (you've got a friend, friends, family). Acceptance (it sucks to be sick, but..). Encouragement (you can take another step, steps). Prayer/supplication (heal me, send some of that balm of gilead, give me peace, oh river). Laughter, the Best Medicine (please, can somebody rephrase that without the cliche?). Resignation/surrender (I'm headed back to the old brown earth and maybe I'll pass this way again). Would it be wrong to set up threads under those headings and try to organize and, with feedback, eliminate my guesswork (I'm unfamiliar with about half the songs suggested)? Thanks to all, and a special thanks for the blue clicky on "It's a Pleasure to Know You."

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 01:02 PM

Twernt me above.....but I WILL take credit!

You folk are too "serious" and "somber".....these appear to be songs appropriate for "funerals." I prefer, FUNerals.

Every one knows that laughter is good for the soul and for the healing....not to mention it just feels good!!!

So try this wimsical positive lyric to an old, children's favorite.....The Young Lady That

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 01:09 PM

Mark.... it would probably be best to have the "helpers above" continue within this post by simply researching their suggestions and adding Blue Clicky Things which will take you there.

Subject: Lyr Add: JUDGEMENT DAY (Jim Savarino)^^
From: fulurum
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 02:44 PM

JUDGEMENT DAY
(Jim Savarino)

On a rainy summer's evening, the good Lord called me home,
He said, "Hi come sit beside me,
Let's look at what you've done.
Don't be nervous, have some popcorn,
Relax, kick off your shoes,
Then we'll watch my home movies,
Right after the evening news.

Chorus:
Did you finish the things wanted,
Did you discover my existence,
You weren't the smartest man I made,
But you sure did have persistence.

There's a good one, what were you thinking?
I really like that line,
Were you sober?
What were you drinking?
Or were you like that
All the time?
Here's the best part,
Where you fall down,
Get up and fall again,
Those weren't really,
Such bad ideas,
But your timing was awful my friend.

Chorus.. Did you finish...

It was sweet,
And it was touching,
The love you won and lost,
And the love that you
Gave right back,
Did you know it was
Worth the cost,
If you want you can
Stay with me
Lord knows you paid your dues
But eternity
Is a very long time
So be careful how you choose.

Chorus....
^^

keywords for search ADD: Judgment Day (Jim Savarino)

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 04:09 PM

Amos, thank you for posting passing through, I love that song and had forgotten it.

Another one is Last Train To Glory.

Subject: Lyr Add: PASSING THROUGH^^
From: Amos
Date: 08 Feb 00 - 12:42 AM

I'll have to see if I can remember them. Hmmm....

Passing Through

I saw Jesus on the cross, on the hill of Calvary
D'ye hate mankind for what they've done to you?
He said speak of love, not hate;
Things to do, it's gettin' late
I've so little time and I'm just passin' through

Cho: Passin' through, passin' through
SOmetimes happy, sometimes blue, glad that I ran in to you.
Tell the people that you saw me passing through.

I saw Adam leave the garden, with an apple in his hand
I said "Now you're out, what are you gonna do?
"Plant my seed and pray for rain, maybe raise a little Cain."
"I'm an orphan now, and I'm just passin through"

Cho

I was at Franklin Roosevelt's side, just a while before he died
He said "One world must come out of World War Two"
"Yankee, Russian, white or tan, Lord a man ai'n't but a man."
"We're all brothers and we're only pasisng through."

Cho

There may be other verses I have forgotten.

A

---

DT Version

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Amos
Date: 08 Feb 00 - 12:45 AM

Sorry -- I should have just linked to the Digitrad instead of writing them out. I will remember next time!

Thank you, kat!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: GUEST,andymac
Date: 08 Feb 00 - 06:05 AM

Songs of Hope and Healing... How about "Quite Early Morning" by Pete Seeger, "Love Will Come Again" by Colm Sands and Pete Seeger. Other favourites for me are "This Love Will Carry" by Dougie McLean and my personal favourite "Freeom Come All Ye" by Hamish Henderson.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Callie
Date: 08 Feb 00 - 06:24 AM

"Hard Times Come Again No More", Fred Small's "I Will Stand Fast" and Sweet Honey In The Rock's "I Feel Like GOing On". Pop songs: Van's "Bright Side of the Road". Callie

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Amos
Date: 08 Feb 00 - 12:04 PM

And for marriages needing hope, a love poem for a fourteenth anniverary can be found here (I hope).

A

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: The Shambles
Date: 08 Feb 00 - 12:28 PM

Doc Watson singing 'We Shall All Be Reunited' or him singing anything else.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs of hope and healing
From: Duckboots
Date: 08 Feb 00 - 12:59 PM

A song that gave me hope and encouragement when life seemed a bit dark was "There Comes A Time" by Rick Speyer. I'd often find myself humming the chorus.

"There is light at the end of the tunnel, There is always hope in the face of despair."

Duckboots