All posts by susanna

Music, Nonviolence, Peace, Royal Song of The Day

Norwegian people announce “Peace Song of the Day” for 4/27/2012

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As royalty (in the most whimsical of senses), the Duke and Duchess of Peace envision themselves as proclaiming the Peace Song of the Day. If you look around the news today, you see that the people of Norway have made the choice: The Peace Song of the Day is “Children of the Rainbow” by Pete Seeger.

In a compassionate, defiant, community response to the actions and words of the right wing, mass murderer, who killed 77 people last year, 40,000 people gathered in Oslo to sing Pete Seeger’s song about love and tolerance, “Children of the Rainbow” (“My Rainbow Race”, English title.)

You can see video from the scene in Norway below. And underneath, is a story from Common Dreams, and the song lyrics. The song, in English, appears in Rise Up Singing: The Group Singing Songbook, the songbook which was part of the inspiration for our Peace Song of the Day project. We knew that the answer to world peace was somewhere between the covers of that amazing, inspiring, abundant collection of sing-a-long tunes.

Thanks to David Mitchell, for sending along the Common Dreams story, with the link to the authentic video, this morning.

Continue reading Norwegian people announce “Peace Song of the Day” for 4/27/2012 →

antiwar, Music, Peace, Royal Song of The Day

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme: Peace Song for 4/26/2012

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Today’s post carries many messages and many layers.

“Scarborough Fair” is the Peace Song of the Day for April 26th. It is a beautiful song of hope and longing. You can find lyrics for the old, traditional version at www.gardenerspath.com: here.

The version many of us hum to ourselves is the Simon and Garfunkel version. “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” takes the old song, and mixes it with an antiwar counterpoint (“Canticle”, based on Simon’s song, “The Side of a Hill”).


Mysteries and Meaning of the traditional, English ballad, Scarborough Fair… Continue reading Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme: Peace Song for 4/26/2012 →

Music, Occupy Wall Street, Peace, Royal Song of The Day, Social Justice, Video

No, It Won’t Kill Me: May Day General Strike and Peace Song for 4/25/2012

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“This Old Hammer“, an African-American work song, is the Peace Song of the Day for April 25th. (See video and lyrics below.)

The song says, “This old hammer, killed John Henry…but it won’t kill me.” Which resonates with the big event coming up…

May Day, May 1, 2012, is a General Strike, called for by many groups, including Occupy Wall Street. To find a detailed post, and links to actions in over 115 cities, go to this post at occupywallst.org.

If you can be in New York City on May 1st, check out the schedule for NYC actions and performances at www.maydaynyc.org

Why strike? The answer given at the occupywallst website, is similar to the words of this hammer song. On the article “Why And How To Strike On May Day“, it says, “You are not a slave, and have the right not to work.” The song “This Old Hammer” is about African American workers, after slavery was outlawed, who were still treated like slaves in many ways.

I love the tension near the end of this song. The worker asks his coworker to take the hammer to the boss or Captain. Though, we discover he is not asking for retaliation, he only asks to tell the boss that he has gone. If only the 99% could tell the 1%: “No, I won’t work for your unjust system.”

Bonus Video:

Continue reading No, It Won’t Kill Me: May Day General Strike and Peace Song for 4/25/2012 →

Music, Peace, Royal Song of The Day

Finding peace within: Peace Song of the Day for 4/24/2012

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“Free Me From Me” by David Jensen is the Peace Song of the Day for April 24th. You can learn more about Long Island singer/songwriter David Jensen at www.reverbnation.com/davidjensen

“Free Me From Me” explores the inner work needed to find peace and healing.

Continue reading Finding peace within: Peace Song of the Day for 4/24/2012 →

antiwar, environment, Music, Nonviolence, Peace, Royal Song of The Day, Video

For children and adults who cherish peace: “Little Drops of Water” is Peace Song for 4/23/2012

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(On 4/17/2013, we dedicated “Little Drops of Water” as a song of healing and peace to the Boston Marathon community.)

“Little Drops of Water” is the Peace Song of the Day for April 23, 2012. It is a traditional song from England. I first discovered this song in the collection, Singing Bee!, compiled by Jane Hart.

I could not resist making my own verse for this song which clearly states the need for “peace”. Below my video are other versions and resources for the “Little Drops of Water” song.



Lyrics and more about this song… Continue reading For children and adults who cherish peace: “Little Drops of Water” is Peace Song for 4/23/2012 →

Holiday, Music, Peace, Royal Song of The Day

Save The Whales: Baby Beluga is the Peace Song for 4/22/2012

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August 2012 update: The whale that inspired Raffi’s song has died at age 46. Story at The Examiner: here.
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Baby Beluga, by Raffi, is the Peace Song of the Day for April 22nd — Earth Day 2012.

Since The Duke and Duchess of Peace have lived, worked, and played with environmentalists for so long, we know that there are so many layers, and so many issues for people who love the earth.* Though, it is sometimes fun to revel in the perceptions and stereotypes that others hold for you. So, in honor of all the folks like us who eat granola, hug trees, and try to save the whales, we chose this classic song for Earth Day 2012!

Continue reading Save The Whales: Baby Beluga is the Peace Song for 4/22/2012 →

antiwar, environment, Music, Nonviolence, Peace, Royal Song of The Day

Preparing for Earth Day: Peace Songs for 4/21/2012

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Earth Day is Sunday, April 22, 2012

(See a long list of peace songs for Earth Day after the video!)

Lily of the Valley (cc) Dger at Wikimedia

Books for Earth Day at onthewilderside: here.

Duke Augustus’ favorite Earth Day stuff: here.

“White Coral Bells” is the Peace Song of the Day for April 21st. It is a short, sweet song about Lily of the Valley flowers, often sung as a round.

A riddle: Is it more important for people who want peace, to realize that peace starts with loving the earth? Or, is it more important for people who love the earth, to realize the only way to save the earth is to end the wars and embrace peace?

Probably a riddle that doesn’t need to be solved. Though, it does go to the heart of this website. In caring for peace and justice, Kimberly and Ian were drawn into green activism. Then, while submersed in green activism, we realized that we really wanted a special place set aside for pacifism and peace. Those feelings were part of the vision that became this Peace Couple project.

Because of the interconnectedness of peace work and environmentalism, many of the Peace Songs of the Day are about earth, nature, and the environment. Each song we list also reflects the value of nonviolence.

Continue reading Preparing for Earth Day: Peace Songs for 4/21/2012 →