Live Together in Peace and Harmony
A song mashup with hope
In early October I co-facilitated a one-day community song leading workshop on Saturday and then co-facilitated a three day clergy retreat, also on community song leading. As I was putting together the song lists both for Sat. Oct. 5, and for the retreat Community Sing that we did on Mon. Oct. 7, I realized that two of the songs used the same psalm verse as their text.
Psalm 133:1
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!
Alice, who came to the Saturday workshop, led Peace Round. Text by Jean Ritchie, music: traditional English folk song. What a goodly thing, if the children [people] of the world, could live together, in peace. (Psalm 133:1)
I led the Jewish folk song: Hine Ma Tov (Jewish folk melody- canon in two parts)
Hine ma tov uma na’im Shevet achim gam yachad. Hine ma tov Shevet achim gam yachad. (How good it is each day God gives To live in peace together How good it—is To live in peace together)
If we can hope to live together in unity, or harmony, I wondered, could these songs also come together in harmony? Here’s what one version of living together in peace and harmony might sound like:
It was a challenge to fit the 3/4 against the 4/4 rhythms when I was recording. Perhaps a reminder that not everyone moves to the same rhythm, even while seeking the same goals.
After I recorded the first version, I edited an extended version, which basically takes a repeat from m. 40 to m.17. This gives the singer and listener a chance to engage more in the Peace Round.
Which do you prefer?
Singing Together
Find a friend or three and sing one or all parts of this together. I had to wait to record this because my voice has been a bit hoarse and froggy from COVID, so I missed several opportunities to record this live with friends, so hoping that the recording with me, myself and I gives a flavor of the possibilities.
What do you notice as you sing this or listen to it? What is challenging? Is singing in an unfamiliar language a barrier? Did you discover passing dissonances? Surprising harmonies? Awkward or interesting rhythmic emphases? Trouble or ease in staying on your path to peace and harmony? Let me know.
Thank you for being a part of this song/reflection experiment/experience. Invite a friend.
If you happened upon this by chance, hope you come back.
Please join me in prayers for living together in peace, throughout the world.
I did write a longer reflection about the retreat here. If you’re not already on my MailChimp list to receive those longer reflections, you can subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/ilgIE9.