Pete Seeger - " Forever Young "

"Being generous of spirit is a wonderful way to live "

 Pete Seeger

 One man wrote: "I’ve never sung anywhere without giving the people listening to me a chance to join in - as a kid, as a lefty, as a man touring the U.S.A. and the world, as an oldster. I guess it’s kind of a religion with me. Participation. That’s what’s going to save the human race." - Pete Seeger

In 1969, I was a senior at Ohio Wesleyan University. On a Saturday afternoon, I attended a gathering against the war in Vietnam.

There, in front of several thousand people, was a tall, skinny fellow standing alone with a long-neck banjo and guitar. With no fanfare, Pete Seeger began singing for, and more importantly WITH, the crowd. Pete led several thousand people in song - "Turn, Turn, Turn", "If I Had A Hammer" and "Where Have All The Flowers Gone".

Pete's energy, enthusiasm and engagement with the crowd captivated me, electrified me. I suddenly saw the power of music - addressing social issues and relating to the joys and sorrows, the history and universality, of people everywhere. I felt the thrill of being part of something vast and important. Music had the power to change the world.

In the history of American folk music, there have been few artists who impacted the world beyond folk music with as much power as Pete Seeger.  Pete wrote and performed countless songs with a single, pervasive goal: to get people to sing together. Pete used music all the way to the end of his 94 years to unite people around the idea they might have something in common.

Here are a few nuggets of song leading wisdom that I picked up from listening to Pete.

(1) Build your repertoire. The more songs you have to choose from, the better.

(2) Vary the mood. Different tempos and emotional subject matter will keep the presentation going.

(3) Give the audience a break. Playing an occasional instrumental or solo song allows your audience to rest their vocal chords.

(4) Not all songs need harmony. Respect the tradition (but don’t be afraid to innovate).

(5) Sing more talk less.

(6) Small rooms work best. People sing better when they are crowded together.

(7) Love what you’re singing.

"There is no such thing as a wrong note, just as long as you're singing along." - Pete Seeger

Forever Young                                                                                                                                        Pete Seeger

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezyd40kJFq0&ab_channel=AmnestyInternationalUSA

  

 

 

"The Anchor Holds"

 

The Anchor Holds

Song written and performed by Laurence Chewning.

I have journeyed
Through the long, dark night
Out on the open sea

By faith alone
Sight unknown
And yet His eyes were watching me

The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn

I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm

I've had visions
I've had dreams
I've even held them in my hand

But I never knew
They would slip right through
Like they were only grains of sand

I have been young
But I am older now
And there has been beauty
That these eyes have seen

But it was in the night
Through the storms of my life
Oh, that's where God proved
His love to me

The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn

I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
Yes The anchor holds
In spite of the storm

I have fallen,fallen down on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxnQzwrF4OU&ab_channel=LawrenceChewning

" I was Afraid......."

 

I was afraid…

 

I was afraid of being rejected

Until I learned to never reject myself

I was afraid of being abandoned

Until I learned to never abandon myself

I was afraid of the opinions of others

Until I learned that they held no more weight than my own

I was afraid of painful endings

Until I realised that they were also new beginnings

I was afraid of appearing weak

Until I realised how strong I truly was

I was afraid of being seen as small and unimportant

Until I discovered my true power and potential

I was afraid of being perceived as ugly

Until I learned to fully appreciate my own beauty

I was afraid of failure

Until I learned that it was an illusion

When viewed through the eyes of love, growth and learning

I was afraid of feeling low

Until I learned that it was the birthplace of brilliance

And where my greatest transformation occurred

I was afraid of change

Until I realised it was an inevitable part of life

In a world full of things temporary and fleeting

I was afraid of being alone

Until I learned to fully embrace and appreciate my own company

I was afraid of my uniqueness

Until I learned that it was where my greatness lay

I was afraid of the darkness

Until I remembered that I was the light

And I was afraid of life

Until I remembered who I was.

Words by Tahlia Hunter

" Teachers, Parents consider this "

 

Teachers before you criticise children / students for coming late to school consider this 

“I’m sorry I’m late,”

 

I wanted to be on time, but one of my children ended up on the floor in a fit because they demanded a biscuit for breakfast, and I wouldn’t give in.

 

I’m sorry I’m late,

 

I wanted to be on time, but one of my children needed to “go poopy” on the way out. And then, after I changed a dirty nappy, my older kids started fighting over who gets to sit in which seat.

 

I’m sorry I’m late,

 

I wanted to be on time, but I got to school and realized I had left their backpacks at home and had to turn around. And then, running into the house to get them, my child got a skinned knee and needed it cleaned and bandaged.

 

I’m sorry I’m late,

 

I wanted to be on time, but the baby woke up twice in the middle of the night, and I overslept my alarm. Then the toddler thought it was funny to hide and couldn’t be found for over ten minutes.

 

I’m sorry I’m late,

 

I wanted to be on time, but one of my children refused to change out of their pyjamas while the other couldn’t find their shoes, and then they “didn’t feel quite right” on.

 

The truth is, I want to be on time,

and I feel guilty about it.

 

But kids are messy, unpredictable,

and will make you late every time.

 

So, I’m sorry I’m late,

but I’m a mom.

 

Parents before you criticise teachers at school consider this