Snowman by The Nields is the Peace Song of the Day for December 16th. You can find this song on their album “Live From Northampton”.
This song contributes to personal peace, by allowing one to alleviate angst. The song is from the point-of-view of a proud, aching snowman who asserts that he is cold and does not need anyone. It is a wonderful metaphor for the need to feel and express emotions, as taught by Nonviolent Communication.
“Find The Cost Of Freedom“, a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young song, is the Peace Song of the Day for December 15th.
The Duke and Duchess of Peace find the news of the end of the Iraq War filled with layers of complexity. How could something allegedly so important end in such a whimper? Will it truly be over? Or, will the United States now run the same battle with contractors and mercenaries? What about the other wars?
The intricate harmonies and complicated reflections of this song resonate with the complicated implications that the President has announced the end of one of America’s wars. The mournful tones of this song remind us of the many people who suffered and died for this unnecessary war.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64Ehe-6ifuQ&w=420&h=315] Continue reading The End of the War in Iraq?: Peace Song for 12/15/2011
“The Last Church On The Left” by Sonny Meadows is the Peace Song of the day for December 9th. You can find this song on the album Tolerance.
There are many reasons why we love this song! Besides our admiration for Sonny Meadows, this song is also a tribute to one of our heroes. The song describes a favorite memory: Susan Blake, welcoming people to the PeaceSmiths Cofffeehouse. Susan June Blake, who passed away in 2007, was the long time Coordinator of PeaceSmiths, and a dear friend of Ian and Kimberly.
Continue reading Where your friends are waiting: Peace Song for 12/9/2011
Gonna Get Through This World is the Peace Song of the Day for 11/28/2011. The lyrics were written by Woody Guthrie in 1945. The words were put to music by Lisa Gutkin of The Klezmatics in 2003. Arlo Guthrie and family performed this song at Carnegie Hall this past Saturday, November 26, 2011.
Continue reading I’m gonna get throught this world: Peace Song for 11/28/2011
Worried Occupation Blues is the Peace Song of the Day for Sunday, November 27, 2011. This song is based on the traditional song, Worried Man Blues. Kimberly added new lyrics. Then, Kimberly and Ian sang it on Youtube as a kind of teaching tape. We are hoping that some more polished singers will pick up the idea, and maybe make their own videos.
Continue reading Worried Occupation Blues: Peace Song for 11/27/2011
Christmas in Washington by Steve Earle is the Peace Song of the Day for November 23rd. (Thanks to Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! for this idea.)
Continue reading Come back Woody Guthrie: Peace Song for 11/23/2011
“Take It From Dr. King”, by Pete Seeger, is The Peace Song of the Day for November 12th. This song is the ultimate celebration of nonviolent activism for social change. It tells the story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, the bus boycott, and The Civil Rights movement. It also has the somewhat tense, but poignantly necessary line, “Drop the gun.”
Continue reading The ultimate song about nonviolence: Peace Song for 11/12