Tag Archives: folk music

Teaching peace (or war?): Peace Song for 1/31/2012

“What Did You Learn In School Today?” by Tom Paxton is the Peace Song of the Day for January 31st. How does your child’s school present war and the military?

You can find lyrics, chords, and resources for this song in the Rise Up Singing songbook on page 6.

Continue reading Teaching peace (or war?): Peace Song for 1/31/2012

Peace Song of the Day for 1/2/2012 and thoughts on catching up

We Are One In The Spirit by Peter Scholte, is/was the Peace Song of the Day for January 2, 2012.

This is a more specifically religious song than we usually put on the Peace Song list. Though, it has themes of peace, unity, and working together which resonate with the life of a peace activist. So, take what you like, and leave the rest, as they say. (For more thoughts about songs and religion, and for a secular version of “We Are One In the Spirit”, see the Peace Couple post: here.)

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The Duke and Duchess of Peace (aka Ian and Kimberly of Wilderside, Ltd) announce a Peace Song for every day of the year. The Duke and Duchess believe that one of the ways to peace is through joyful, nonviolent entertainment. We encourage you to express yourself with singing, playing, and/or composing music about peace!

Song variations: We Are One In The Spirit (religious and secular)

Since Peace Couple is designed as a gathering place for people who strive for peace, nonviolence, and harmony, we try to keep it open to people of all (or no) faiths and philosophies. While some people find religion and spirituality to be uplifting and build community, other people are concerned with the way that the practice of a specific religion can create differences, confuse people, or leave people out.

So, we have been choosing peace songs that avoid naming or praising god or a specific religion.

But, what about wonderful songs, with powerful ideas, which may resonate from our past, and/or help articulate good visions for a world of peace? Continue reading Song variations: We Are One In The Spirit (religious and secular)

For your holiday wanderings: Peace Song for 12/26/2011

The Peace Song of the Day for 12/26 is Wanderin’. It’s a traditional song, adapted by Sammy Kaye. You can find it in the Rise Up Singing songbook on page 236.

This song is dedicated to everyone who traveled, wandered, (or did the preparing for) visits with family and friends this holiday season…

Continue reading For your holiday wanderings: Peace Song for 12/26/2011

The voice of youth: Peace Song for 12/22/2011

Johnny Cash has at least two songs about truth. This one is about young people and the truth. “What Is Truth?” by Johnny Cash is the Peace Song of the Day for 12/22. Thanks to Bill McNulty for bringing our attention to this song. You can listen to Bill’s radio show at lunchtime on Thursdays at WUSB 90.1FM Stony Brook (NY).

Continue reading The voice of youth: Peace Song for 12/22/2011

Simplicity in this busy, holiday season: Peace Song for 12/19/2011

Simple Gifts is the Peace Song of the Day for December 19th. It is a Shaker song written by Joseph Brackett in 1848. You can find the lyrics to this song, as well as additional, new lyrics about loving, poverty, and liberty, in the Rise Up Singing songbook.

This song causes me to reflect on the idea of Voluntary Simplicity — keeping things simple, and doing with less, even if you can afford more. At this holiday season, it is nice to enjoy the simple gifts of family and sharing. Hope you will consider shopping less, making your own presents, and studying ideas about Voluntary Simplicity. You can find books on that topic at your local book store, or at Powells Books: here.

Judy Collins performs Simple Gifts (‘Tis The Gift To Be Simple) in this video from 1963:

Continue reading Simplicity in this busy, holiday season: Peace Song for 12/19/2011