Tag Archives: folk music

Royal Song of the Day: Thursday 7/21/11

Glacier
Image by Tolka Rover via Flickr

“If I Had A Hammer” is the Royal Song of the Day for today. You can find this song on page 215 of Rise Up Singing.

I chose this song to continue the idea that singing out will keep us cool. Also, because it has such bold images and patterns, I think it would be a great song to make new lyrics for.

So, this week, while the temps in New York (and elsewhere) are in the 90’s, I am going to sing… Continue reading Royal Song of the Day: Thursday 7/21/11

Royal Song of the Day: Wed 7/20/2011

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_26FOHoaC78]

“Free To Be You and Me”is the Royal Song of the Day. This song is from the 1970’s classic children’s recording by Marlo Thomas & Friends. You can find this song on page 109 of our favorite songbook Rise Up Singing.

Being hot makes me want to sing out. I chose this song for the heat wave because it is joyful and lyrical. Makes you feel cool all over.

The song celebrates the spirit of diversity in a carefree and uplifting way. (And, the video has carousel horses! Lots of fun!).

Royally Yours,
Susanna, Duchess of Peace

Royal Song of the Day: Monday 7/18/2011

The Royal Song of the Day is “All the Weary Mothers” by Joan Baez. You can find this song in Rise Up Singing on page 114. The first verse beings, “All the weary mothers of the earth will finally rest…”. The last stanza is a dream about no more wars.

Duchess Susanna writes:

This song is dedicated to two people with whom I had interesting conversations today: One person was a mother, and the other person was a friend, helping a friend.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNXofOUmshM&feature=youtu.be]

More about why I chose this song: Continue reading Royal Song of the Day: Monday 7/18/2011

Peace Song of the Day: Sunday 7/17/2011

Woody Guthrie NYWTSDuke Augustus: Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) by Woody Guthrie. This song was chosen from Duchess Susanna’s copy of  Rise Up Singing .  This poem was written by Guthrie in response to the 1948 plane crash.  Over 60 years later, we are still fighting the same battle.  Ten years latter, Martin Hoffman wrote the music.  Pete Seeger and Woody’s son, Arlo, have popularized the song. Unfortunately, the racist attitudes in this song are as common today as they were when they were written 60 years ago.

This is video is a little shaky, but worth it to hear Arlo explain about how his father wrote the song:  Continue reading Peace Song of the Day: Sunday 7/17/2011

Royal Song of the Day: Saturday 7/16/2011

Singing For Our Lives” is the Royal Song of the Day. This song, written by Holly Near, can be found on page 218 of Rise Up Singing.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbXq0oU5osg]

Reflections on “gentle anger” by Duchess Susanna: Continue reading Royal Song of the Day: Saturday 7/16/2011

“Mothers, Daughters, Wives”: Peace Song for 7/14/2011

Mothers, Daughters, Wives” by Judy Small is the Royal Song of the Day. The lyrics can be found at Rise Up Singing, page 162.

Below is a heart-wrenching version by “The Corries”

Excerpt:

The first time it was fathers, the last time it was sons
And in between your husbands, marched away with guns & drums
And you never thought to question, you just went on with your lives
‘Cause all they’d taught you who to be was mothers, daughters, wives

Susanna, Duchess of Peace, tells more about today’s choice: Continue reading “Mothers, Daughters, Wives”: Peace Song for 7/14/2011

Tues. 7/12/2011: Royal Song of the Day

Duchess Susanna writes: The Royal Song of the Day is “Circle” by Harry Chapin. It appears in Rise Up Singing on page 222. In the video below, there is a clip of Circle Song during the finale, at 9 minutes and 1 second…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7h5SUw3wME&t=9m1s]

We have been experiencing a lot of car accidents on Long Island. And, a few people close to us have experienced the loss of a loved one recently. Some sadness and grieving. Though, also, new babies being born. This song does some healing, and reminds us to hope…

An excerpt:

“All my life’s a circle, sunrise & sundown…”