Some years ago I wrote a song called simply "Daughter."
I invite you to join Ilze Akerbergs, Greg Philippsen, and me in singing this old African-American spiritual Michael Row the Boat Ashore in memory of all those we have lost.
Please join me in steering clear of the wind.
“Avoid the thorn, pluck the rose.” The allegorical character Pleasure sings the song, hoping to tempt the heroine Beauty into a life of pleasant diversion rather than virtuous truth-seeking.
There is nothing to ease that pain, but singing my grief is my own means of comfort. Here is an African American folksong that brings some solace to me.
Back in the late 1800s Christina Rossetti wrote a long poem, “In the Bleak Midwinter,” and then later Gustav Holst (of The Planets fame) wrote a melody that is usually associated with the piece. Though occasionally found in some hymnals, the song is not as familiar as other Christmas carols.
As the young boy learns in this song by Michael Merchant, we need to live our lives every day.
I wrote the song "Man of No Dreams" with many of Violet Moore Higgins's images in my head.
There is an old bit of folklore that claims women shouldn’t whistle—i.e., “A whistling woman and a crowing hen always come to no good end.” But I don’t believe it.
We need to hear songs that cry out for a friend as exactly that—pleas for our fellow humans to befriend each other.
My earliest memories of my father, Charles Dolby, are of him building things.
I was reminded of Handel’s wonderful aria from Serse in which King Xerxes sings of his love for a beautiful plane tree. Trees are sources of oxygen and collectors of carbon dioxide. They are the treasures that may save us from our careless abuse of the planet.
That is life’s gift to us—the treasure of that enduring connection. This song is for our friends and teachers—wherever we find them.
I created this song when the Twin towers were struck in 2001. I feel equal dismay now as Putin’s Russia attacks Ukraine. We need peace, not war, democracy, not tyrants.
I really hate the prospect of war anywhere. I admire the Ukrainian resistance to Putin’s invasion of their nation. I hope their leaders and people are able to push back the invaders. Here is my song supporting that leadership.
Dona nobis pacem—Latin for “grant us peace.” My wish for this holiday season is that our dear and fragile human world learns to live peacefully together. My friend Ilze joins me on this lovely traditional round. All the best to you and yours.
There have been a lot of songs, books, movies, and sermons about life after death. A song that captures much of the feeling behind such materials is the gospel song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”
My former colleague, Bill Wiggins, wrote a book about Juneteenth--O Freedom!. And Sam Cooke wrote a song the expresses the hope we should all share. I'll sing the song for you here. Read the book if you have a chance.
