Leaves are falling, the season is turning, and we are singing!
It was a great session in Wivenhoe this month. We only got through two songs, but they were both gorgeous and worth the effort.
Here is the link to October's recordings.
The first was essentially a country and western song, The thing that makes you beautiful, by Jane Voss. It has lovely lyrics. We only did the first verse, but here's the last:
So if ever there’s a question,
If you’re feeling dull and old,
Won’t you let me be your mirror
Where the truth is always told.
In the eye of this beholder
You’re a bright and shining star,
The thing that makes you beautiful
is the way you are.
Click the link to hear Jane Voss with her original version of The thing that makes you beautiful.
The second song was a healing song from Georgia, Batonebo. Healing songs are usually sung by women. It's sung to children when they are ill, and takes the form
of an address to the spirits who supposedly cause the illness. They are
addressed very politely as "the Sirs", and an interesting sequence takes place:
first flower petals are strewn to entice them out of the child’s body, then a
religious ritual, but they only leave finally after animals have been
sacrificed according to the ancient pagan tradition (implied).
You can hear the women of the London choir Maspindzeli sing Batonebo at 30 seconds into this video.
We'll be back on 16 November with brand new songs.
Our last session of 2019 will be on 14 December. Do please spread the word.
Click here to find all the dates for 2019 and on into 2020.
Click here to find all the dates for 2019 and on into 2020.
