Earth & Spirit Songbook

I Will Shelter You – Verse could be sung by a leader or the whole group. Verses might be divided between men and women or two different sub-groups. The chorus becomes a four part round.

If I Had A Hammer – Everybody sing. Three part harmony arrangement is reminiscent of the popular recorded version of this song.

Long Tailfeathers/Hey Hey Watanay – Two parts can be divided any way desired, by voice parts or different sides of the group. One part can be taught, then the second, then put them together.

Longest Night – These new words to a well known 3 part round melody are easily taught by ear. The piano part can be repeated anywhere in four measure phrases, so the accompanist can make an ever-changing accompaniment for as long as desired.

Love is All Around – This melody is easily taught by ear and is good for kids and adults.

Love Song for Mother Earth – This could be a solo song or for the whole group to sing. The leader might take the verses and just have the group join in on the chorus. It could take a little teaching to show how long to hold “Mother Earth__”.

May the Long Time Sun Shine Upon You – These first two parts of this three part round are somewhat adapted from the original but representative of how groups have come to sing this song now to make a round. The third line is Jim Scott’s addition. The round could be repeated as long as desired and four bars of the piano accompaniment can be repeated at any double bar (every four bars).

May There Always be Sunshine – This international peace song, combining Russian and English is easily taught by ear. Good song for kids, though don’t forget the grownups.

Maisha Ni Safi (Life Is Good) – This song, combining English and Swahili, can be done by the whole group, or could be divided into call and response, either from leader to group or two sides calling out to each other.

Minuit – This is a gwaza or village type song with four independent parts. Each part can be a canon/round with itself every four bars and is generally done introducing one line then the next until all four are put together.

Morning Glory – This could be done by the whole group or part could be a soloist. Solid gospel rhythm is recommended, but could be done in many styles.

Morning Has Broken – Here is a version of this well-known song more reminiscent of the popular version. Optional three-part SAB harmony could be sung just on some verses, or by small group while audience/congregation sings melody. One verse, or part of one, could be a cappella vocal harmony.

Mystery – Written as a solo song and included in the Missa Gaia /Earth Mass by the Paul Winter Consort, this can make a beautiful hymn for an entire group to sing. Verse possibly by a soloist and chorus could be sung by all.

Nothing But Peace – The chorus becomes a four part round. Verses might be sung by leader or the whole group. The chorus can be taught by ear for audience sing along. Break in to the round only later in the song after the verses are sung and repetition has taught the chorus. Four part round could be four different languages. A more varied SATB arrangement of this song is available from Jim Scott.

O Great Spirit – This can be sung as a nice short unison song or it’s a round starting every two bars.

On Holy Ground – This is a “zipper song ” an easy short melody to pick up teachable by ear and bringing in new phrases to change each verse. The piano accompaniment can be read as a four part SATB harmonization.

On Your Way – A short parting song, this can be good for sending children or any group on their way, sung by the rest of the group that stays, or as a benediction to all.

Once More the Liberal Year – A Thanksgiving and harvest song. this has an accessible melody for a group to sing, while the piano part can be taken as a four part SATB harmonization. A more up tempo and orchestrated arrangement of this song with a lead instrumental line in a Celtic-style triplet rhythm is available from Jim Scott.

One More Circle Round the Sun – The unison verse is good for group or solo and the chorus last two lines can take harmony parts form the piano accompaniment. A larger SATB arrangement of this song is available from Jim Scott.

Open Your Heart – This is a song of celebration, also a warning and a call to action. Encourage singing it with more conviction than sentimentality and a moving rhythm.

Over My Head – A three-part arrangement, the melody and two harmony parts can be sung by any combination of voices for a call and response style group participation. This makes a good choral piece, though a more fully written out SATB arrangement is available from Jim Scott.

Peace Is – This is easily done by a group, or can be a great song for a leader to take the verses and the chorus can be taught by ear.

Peace is Flowing Like River – Good for the whole group to sing, this is a “zipper song” where the one word change in the verses can be called out and immediately done.

Peace On Earth – This is a good song for kids, though can be beautiful two part harmony with adults as well. It can be repeated and the counter line brought in later.

Put Me In the Compost Pile – A verse that’s complicated enough to perhaps be better done by a leader or small group (children’s choir), the chorus is easily picked up and the rock rhythm carries it with energy. There’s an extra meaning here for folks who question burial and embalming, etc., but the composting of organic “refuse” message is one for all of us.

Rising Green – An hymn of connections and faith, this is easily learned by a group. A verse might be sung by soloist or small group for variation, the larger group joining in for the repetition of the last lines. The melody might be introduced (or sung later) acapella.