Tag Archives: Traditional music

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme: Peace Song for 4/26/2012

Today’s post carries many messages and many layers.

Scarborough Fair” is the Peace Song of the Day for April 26th. It is a beautiful song of hope and longing. You can find lyrics for the old, traditional version at www.gardenerspath.com: here.

The version many of us hum to ourselves is the Simon and Garfunkel version. “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” takes the old song, and mixes it with an antiwar counterpoint (“Canticle”, based on Simon’s song, “The Side of a Hill”).


Mysteries and Meaning of the traditional, English ballad, Scarborough Fair… Continue reading Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme: Peace Song for 4/26/2012

Poor Boy Blues: Peace Song for January 8, 2012

[Today at Peace Couple we are going to do some serious catching up on Peace Song of the Day. We won’t tweet them all. But, if you check back tonight, you will find a long list of songs that celebrate peace and justice in the spirit of nonviolence!]

The Peace Song of the Day for January 8th is “Poor Boy Blues” [aka “Poor Boy A Long Way From Home”]. It is a traditional song with many variations, and many artists who have covered it. We are going to feature the video and lyrics with Mississippi John Hurt. There is also a rockin’ version with Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler at Youtube: here.

Continue reading Poor Boy Blues: Peace Song for January 8, 2012

Do what the spirit says: Peace Song for 1/7/2012

You Gotta Sing, made famous by Raffi, is the Peace Song of the Day for January 7th. This song is about joy, spirit, and intention. You gotta sing when the spirit says sing!

Continue reading Do what the spirit says: Peace Song for 1/7/2012

It was sad when that great ship went down: Peace Song for 1/5/2012

“Ship Titanic”, sometimes know as “The Titanic”, “It Was Sad When That Great Ship Went Down”, or “Husbands and Wive”, is the Peace Song of the Day for January 5th. (We are doing catch-up!) It is a traditional song, tracing back to around 1915 or 1916. You can find the lyrics and chords to this song in the Rise Up Singing  songbook on page 206.

This song is related to peace and justice, because it resonates with the stories of how the rich people died on the Titanic, while black people were not allowed on, and poor people were trapped down below.

I also can’t help but relate the story of how the great ship went down with the story of how the big banks in America failed us. How about new lyrics of, “It was sad when those big banks went down…”? This song is ripe for an occupy version.

Some Lyrics:

Continue reading It was sad when that great ship went down: Peace Song for 1/5/2012

Bound for Glory: Peace Song of the Day for 1/3/2012

“This Train”, a traditional song, often played by Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash, is the Peace Song of the Day for January 3rd. You can find the lyrics and chords to this song in the Rise Up Singing songbook on page 97. This is another song which has religious words and a gospel flavor, but has spoken to people of all faiths and non-faiths over the years.

A really cool version from the Railroad Revival Tour:

Continue reading Bound for Glory: Peace Song of the Day for 1/3/2012

Worried Occupation Blues: Peace Song for 11/27/2011

Worried Occupation Blues is the Peace Song of the Day for Sunday, November 27, 2011. This song is based on the traditional song, Worried Man Blues. Kimberly added new lyrics. Then, Kimberly and Ian sang it on Youtube as a kind of teaching tape. We are hoping that some more polished singers will pick up the idea, and maybe make their own videos.
Continue reading Worried Occupation Blues: Peace Song for 11/27/2011