Tag Archives: peace music

Tenting Tonight: Peace Song for January 10, 2012

Tenting Tonight On The Old Campground [aka “Tenting Tonight”] is the Peace Song of the Day for January 10th. It is a song from 1863, written by Walter Kittredge. You can find lyrics, chords, and resources for this song in the Rise Up Singing songbook on page 5.

Yes, the song is about war: It was written during the Civil War and is about the lives of soldiers. Though, the song also lists the problems of war, and expresses the yearning for peace. This song was sung by both Confederate soldiers and Union soldiers.

Because the theme is a wish for the war to end, and the subject is camping out in tents, we also thought this would make a good song for occupy activists to use as is or to adapt.

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Peace Song of the Day for 1/2/2012 and thoughts on catching up

We Are One In The Spirit by Peter Scholte, is/was the Peace Song of the Day for January 2, 2012.

This is a more specifically religious song than we usually put on the Peace Song list. Though, it has themes of peace, unity, and working together which resonate with the life of a peace activist. So, take what you like, and leave the rest, as they say. (For more thoughts about songs and religion, and for a secular version of “We Are One In the Spirit”, see the Peace Couple post: here.)

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The Duke and Duchess of Peace (aka Ian and Kimberly of Wilderside, Ltd) announce a Peace Song for every day of the year. The Duke and Duchess believe that one of the ways to peace is through joyful, nonviolent entertainment. We encourage you to express yourself with singing, playing, and/or composing music about peace!

Reach out and touch somebody’s hand: Peace Song for 1/1/2012

“Reach Out And Touch Somebody’s Hand”, by Ashford and Simpson (famously recorded by Diana Ross) is the Peace Song of the Day for this first day of the new year.

The video below includes the composers, Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, singing the song, with a star-studded cast of additional vocalists. It is fun viewing for this holiday weekend.

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From the old things to the new: Peace Song for 12/31

Happy New Year!

“One More Step” by Sydney Carter is the Peace Song of the Day for December 31st. You can find the words and chords in the Rise Up Singing songbook on page 235.  It is a hymn. Though, it’s references to the almighty are vague enough, that it could be enjoyed by people of all creeds, faiths, or philosophies. The words give inspiration for moving forward in the New Year with love and courage

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Focus on love and on the future: Peace Song of the Day for 12/28

Whitney Houston passed away on February 11, 2012. This Peace Song of the Day entry was re-posted at the top of our page on February 12, 2012, with love and condolences to Whitney Houston’s family, friends, and fans.

The Greatest Love Of All, a song by Linda Creed and Michael Masser, and popularized by Whitney Houston, is the Peace Song of the Day for December 28th. This song is very appropriate as people look forward to the New Year. The words begin, “I believe that children are the future…”

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Simplicity in this busy, holiday season: Peace Song for 12/19/2011

Simple Gifts is the Peace Song of the Day for December 19th. It is a Shaker song written by Joseph Brackett in 1848. You can find the lyrics to this song, as well as additional, new lyrics about loving, poverty, and liberty, in the Rise Up Singing songbook.

This song causes me to reflect on the idea of Voluntary Simplicity — keeping things simple, and doing with less, even if you can afford more. At this holiday season, it is nice to enjoy the simple gifts of family and sharing. Hope you will consider shopping less, making your own presents, and studying ideas about Voluntary Simplicity. You can find books on that topic at your local book store, or at Powells Books: here.

Judy Collins performs Simple Gifts (‘Tis The Gift To Be Simple) in this video from 1963:

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