"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
No comments:
Post a Comment