Layered – Page 3 – Heather Houston Music

Put Your Roots Down – Molly Hartwell

July 20, 2019/in Layered 3 English Earth Wisdom, Rhythmic, Water /by Heather

A fun, rhythmic, layer song inviting us to listen deeply to the rhythm of the Earth and the sound of the river. The composer of this song is my dear soul sister in song Molly Hartwell. She calls it “Root Down.” Received by Molly way back in the early 2000’s, this song has traveled far and wide and Molly gives her blessing for you to sing it however you have arranged it for your singers. Molly recorded her original version for us. It’s posted below for reference. Enjoy! To hear more of Molly’s voice, check out our SIRENZ album!

by Molly Hartwell

Recorded with permission

Molly singing her original version:

Heather singing her arrangement of Molly’s song:

Lyrics:

MOLLY’S ORIGINAL VERSION:

When you listen to the ground and you put your roots down,

you can hear what she says if you’re listening. x2

The sweet sound of the river as she moves over the stones

the same song that the blood in your body sings

as it weaves around your bones.

When your listening

Are you listening?

HEATHER’S ARRANGEMENT FOR HER SINGERS:

Part 1: Put your roots down, put your feet on the ground, can you hear what she says when you listen?

Part 2: Cause the sound of the river as it moves across the stone is the same sound as the blood in your body as it moves across your bones.

Part 3: Are you listening?

Chant to Nana by Heather Houston

July 19, 2019/in Layered 2 Yoruba Heather Houston Ancestors, Earth Wisdom, Gathering, Grandmother's, Healing, Mothers, Orixas, Water /by Heather

In the Yoruba traditions, Nana is the Great Grandmother of all the Orishas, the Grandmother of our sacred waters, and the Mother of the Universe. This wise and revered Orisha embodies the spirit of the earth, the moon, the rain, mud, swamps and fresh spring waters. She is the energy of transformative healing powers. She watches over the women and is the protector of everything female. It is said that she has very little patience for men and surrounds herself mainly with priestesses. Women find comfort in her knowledge and strength. They flock to her for guidance and spiritual healing.

For many years I chanted chants to Nana with my teacher Alba Lirio. One day when I was driving through the hills of Marin, tending to my broken heart, an original melody flowed through me with lyrics to Nana. I clearly needed the healing energy she brings, and have been forever grateful for the gift of this chant. The women in my circles adore it as well.

Lyrics:

Part 1: (the round)
Eh na na Eh na na Eh na na, Eh na na Eh na na Eh

Part 2: (the hight part)
Eh di na na eh wa
Eh wa eh wa
Eh wa eh wa eh

Part 3: (the low part)
Eh di na na eh wa
Eh wa eh wa
Eh wa eh wa

I Wonder — Heather Houston

July 13, 2019/in Harmony, Layered 3 English Heather Houston Mantra, Source, Trust /by Heather

This song came through in a difficult time. One morning I took myself on a long hike and prayed and opened to the magic of the Universe. This song dropped in as a mantra: “I wonder how easy this can be?” Singing and opening to the mystery, I got myself in a place of surrendered calm. When I got home, a piece of guidance dropped in, and within minutes, my prayers were answered, and the result was much better than I could have dreamed. A way was made out of seemingly no way. Grateful for the deep knowing that prayer is a powerful thing.

You are welcome to sing and share this song!

Lyrics:
I wonder how easy this can be?

Rising Strong — Heather Houston

June 26, 2019/in Layered 3 English Heather Houston Community, Fun, Hope, Inspiration, Protest / March /by Heather

Inspired by the youth in our nation who are rising strong! Dedicated to the people who are committed to all of the powerful movements that are happening around the globe. This song flowed through shortly after the Parkland, Florida school shooting happened.

Lyrics:

Part 1:
Oh take my hand now, yes you belong
And lift your voice now, we’ll sing this song
And we will root down into the ground now
We’re rising strong, yeah, we’re rising strong

Parts 2 and 3:
Ooooo….

Parts 4 and 5:
And we are warriors of the light
And we are stronger when we unite
We are here to waken the love
We are rising strong, yeah we’re rising strong!

The Monday Morning Song – Heather Houston

June 26, 2019/in Layered 3 English Heather Houston Fun, Inspiration, Letting Go /by Heather

This fun little ditty flowed through on a Monday morning (big surprise, I know) when I was pressuring myself to get the whole week’s worth of tasks completed on Monday morning. It also works well to sing “January” in the month of January. Enjoy!

I like to get everyone moving around and mixing their voices in the center.

Lyrics:

Part 1: You don’t have to get everything done on Monday morning, take a deep breath and tune in to your heart.

Part 2: Don’t take yourself so seriously, lighten the load, there’s beauty to see.

Part 3: Let it go, and learn to delegate.

The Veil — Heather Houston

June 18, 2019/in Layered 4 English Heather Houston All Hallow's Eve, Ancestors, Magic /by Heather

This hauntingly beautiful multi-layered song poured through me on All Hallows’ Eve in 2017. We love to sing it by candlelight. I like to offer a space for the women to name and deeply honor a few of their ancestors.

Lyrics:

Part 1:
The veil between worlds it is opening
The spirits are calling our names
To listen to their wisdom
To gather round sacred flame

Part 2:
In the silence we hear them
Voices from the past
Giving name to illusion
Truth that we have outcast