Caterpillar Dub 58

When a great soul leaves this World, a hush falls like the twighlight and for only a brief moment, the birds pause in their song.  Then, after a deep breath of weary fleshly rejoicing meditation, the voices raise up again in song, rising on high in the clear blue air of the sky.  Singing to Life;  singing for Joy and sheer Endurance;  singing because that’s what people do.  Singing the Spirit Alive.  Singing the breath in and out of the body like a great Pranha-message.  Singing to lift a hundred million hearts, weary, wearing dusty work-clothes, toiling and struggling in their own separate worlds of strife, struggle and frugality, united in Human experience, Human striving.  Raise those voices and kick some hay up into the air.  Join hands in the dance, the good old dance.  Stomp a thousand feet down in the dust.  Clap those myriad hands and raise the dust, raise the dance and sing the songs, the old songs as were sung in times untold.  The Spirit soars aloft on the wings of a million voices.  

Pete Seeger – Which Side Are You On?

Pete Seeger – Little Birdie

Pete Seeger – Joe Hill

Farewell Pete Seeger

With the passing of Pete Seeger on Monday, we have lost one of the true giants of modern music, culture and activism.  It’s no exaggeration to say that without Pete Seeger, contemporary music as we know it today would sound totally different.  Pete was one of the major influences behind the 1950’s/’60’s Folk Revival, which formed a vital bridge between the traditional songs of yesteryear, and the rapidly evolving music of the 1960’s.  His blend of musicianship with activism also inspired a generation of arising singers to take a conscientious stance on many issues.  His spirit will go right on inspiring people long into the future, as long as there’s a song to be sung.  I’ll let his songs speak for him now – I’ll just say I feel like I’ve lost an old friend – an old friend of the World.  You made the World a better place, Pete, and for that you’re surely bound for glory.  

To Hear Your Banjo Play – Pete Seeger – 1947

Tzena, Tzena, Tzena – The Weavers – 1950

Pete Seeger – We Shall Overcome

Pete Seeger – The Power of Song (2007 Documentary)

Pete Seeger – If I Had A Hammer – Songs of Hope and Struggle (Anthology)

Solidarity Forever!