“Yellow Submarine” is the Royal Song of the Day for today. You can find this song on page 179 of Rise Up Singing. It’s hot! And we need something fun to sing that reminds of cool water. Close your eyes and dive deep into a technicolor cartoon ocean. The blue meanies have taken the day off. So sing-o along with Ringo as the credits roll by.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCsYDZ2M04M]
In a town
where I was born
lived a man
who sailed the sea
“If I Had A Hammer” is the Royal Song of the Day for today. You can find this song on page 215 of Rise Up Singing.
I chose this song to continue the idea that singing out will keep us cool. Also, because it has such bold images and patterns, I think it would be a great song to make new lyrics for.
So, this week, while the temps in New York (and elsewhere) are in the 90’s, I am going to sing… Continue reading Royal Song of the Day: Thursday 7/21/11
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_26FOHoaC78]
“Free To Be You and Me”is the Royal Song of the Day. This song is from the 1970’s classic children’s recording by Marlo Thomas & Friends. You can find this song on page 109 of our favorite songbook Rise Up Singing.
Being hot makes me want to sing out. I chose this song for the heat wave because it is joyful and lyrical. Makes you feel cool all over.
The song celebrates the spirit of diversity in a carefree and uplifting way. (And, the video has carousel horses! Lots of fun!).
Royally Yours,
Susanna, Duchess of Peace
“Study War No More” is the Royal Song of the Day. It’s a classic (well, make that a “traditional”, identified as a Black Spiritual). And, the song can be found in Rise Up Singing on page 163.
Here is a youtube video of Mahalia Jackson singing “Study War No More“:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nASMNYM8tn8] Continue reading “I ain’t gonna study war no more”: Peace Song for 7/19/2011
The Royal Song of the Day is “All the Weary Mothers” by Joan Baez. You can find this song in Rise Up Singing on page 114. The first verse beings, “All the weary mothers of the earth will finally rest…”. The last stanza is a dream about no more wars.
Duchess Susanna writes:
This song is dedicated to two people with whom I had interesting conversations today: One person was a mother, and the other person was a friend, helping a friend.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNXofOUmshM&feature=youtu.be]
More about why I chose this song: Continue reading Royal Song of the Day: Monday 7/18/2011
“Singing For Our Lives” is the Royal Song of the Day. This song, written by Holly Near, can be found on page 218 of Rise Up Singing.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbXq0oU5osg]
Reflections on “gentle anger” by Duchess Susanna: Continue reading Royal Song of the Day: Saturday 7/16/2011
Duke Augustus writes: Hard Times for Dreamers by Beat Radio. Duchess Susanna has been doing a great job all week of exploring the wealth of songs in “Rise Up Singing“. This song should be in a future edition. Right now, it is a theme song for me. It reminds me that people do care about struggling to do what is right. I love the perseverance in the chorus.
This video is a solo acoustic version. I know the lighting is not the best, but Brian’s personality comes through.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMP8fwl_mS4] Continue reading Royal Song of the Day: Friday 7/15/2011