Listen — Heather Houston

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This elegant, mystical, circular song flowed through me for the Winter Solstice of 2020, inviting us to trust the wisdom of our own hearts. Enjoy!

Shruti box in B♭ (B♭ and F open), or singing bowl in D.

You’re welcome to share this song with others. Recording is not permitted. Thank you.

Lyrics:

The answer lies within me
Deep within my heart
The wisdom I am seeking
Divine love will impart
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen

© Heather Houston
12/20/2020
All rights reserved

Sa Amba Sahda Shiva — Sanskrit Chant

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Shiva is a Hindu God, a destroyer who ends the cycle of time which, in turn, begins a new Creation. At the highest level, Lord Shiva is regarded as limitless, formless, transcendent, and unchanging. This chant reminds us that Shiva (the energy of destruction and regeneration) is always accompanied by the eternal Mother of the Universe.

Lyrics:

Sa Amba Sada Shiva
Sa Amba Shiva Om
Sa Amba Sada Shiva
Sa Amba Shiva Om

Om Mata, Om Mata
Om shri Mata Jagadumba
Om Mata, Om Mata
Om shri Mata Jagadumba

Translation:

The ever auspicious Lord Shiva is one with the Divine Mother
Oh Mother, Oh Mother
Radiant Mother, Mother of the Universe

Music composer unknown
Arranged by Heather Houston

Bright Morning Stars – An Appalachian Folk Tune

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Bright Morning Stars – An Appalachian Folk Tune

Bright morning stars are rising
Bright morning stars are rising
Bright morning stars are rising
Day is a’breaking
In my soul
Oh where are our dear fathers?
Oh where are our dear fathers?
They are down in the valley a’praying
Day is a’breaking
In my soul
Oh where are our dear mothers? Oh where are our dear mothers?
They are gone to heaven a’shouting
Day is a’breaking In my soul
Bright morning stars are rising
Bright morning stars are rising
Bright morning stars are rising
Day is a’breaking
In my soul

Vocal Meditation Practice – Major Scale

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What a gift this precious instrument we call the voice. It gives us the opportunity to deepen. We deepen our awareness, we let go, we expand our consciousness and return home to our hearts. We are forever changed.

Divine Mystery — Heather Houston

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This one flowed through for a room full of women entrepreneurs. It’s been a favorite for many ever since. A beautiful layer song.

Lyrics:

Oh I am opening up for a dance with Divine Mystery
Oh I am trusting the path that’s unfolding before me with ease

Just let go now, trust the flow
Just let go now, then you’ll know

Right on time now, I’ve arrived
Right on time now, I’m aligned

© Heather Houston
All rights reserved

Sisters of the Moon Album Version:

 Rough Recording on Heather’s Garage Band: 

Lokah Samastah

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Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu is a Sanskrit mantra which means:

“May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute to that happiness and to that freedom for all.”

A mantra from the Vedic tradition, where mantras are chanted on only three notes. SA, RE, and NI. Over time, mantras such as this one have been turned into countless melodies and rhythms. I learned this particular one from Slivia Nakkach. She learned it on her travels in India.

Earth My Body — Source Unknown

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I’ve known and sung this beautiful chant in women’s circles for many years. It’s an invitation to feel one with the Earth, a reminder of our sacred connection to, and responsibility for, the more than human world. The composer is unknown, and the song is in the public domain.

Arrangement by Heather Houston

Lyrics:

Earth my body,
Water my blood,
Air my breath
and fire my spirit

Ise Oluwa from West Africa

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This beautiful chant from Nigeria is sung in the Yoruba language. A favorite to sing with my shruti box layering in harmonies as we go.

Arrangement by Heather Houston

This song is in the public domain.

Meaning:
God’s good work will never be destroyed. I like to think of it as the Creator’s beautiful work lives on for eternity.

Lyrics:

Ise oluwa
Kole baje oh
Ise oluwa
Kole baje oh
Kole baje oh
Kole baje oh
Ise oluwa
Kole baje oh

Evening Rise – Composer Unknown

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An absolute favorite in my song circles and in my choir. The harmonies are hauntingly beautiful, easy enough to learn and very satisfying for everyone once they get all of the parts. I learned this song from my dear friend Lydia Neilsen, who learned it in her permaculture community. As far as I can tell, this song is in the public domain. I have not been able to track down the composer. Please let me know if you have any information.

Lyrics:

Evening rise, spirits come
Sun goes down when the day is done
Mother Earth awakens me
to the heartbeat of the sea

You Are So Loved — Heather Houston

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This song originally flowed through as a lullaby for parents and babies, but it has become a favorite within my circles of singers. We love to invite women into the center of the circle and sing to them when they are in need of some TLC.

My intent with this lullaby is for all humans to tap into the feeling of being deeply loved, deeply loved by our own selves, by our friends, by our communities and circles of friends, and then spreading that energy of love to our wider circles and sending it out to the planet for anyone in need of some nurturing.

Lyrics:

You are so loved

© Heather Houston
All rights reserved

Album version with my choir!

Parts tracks:

(A note on the image on these SoundCloud files: I adore the energy of love and care that is captured in this painting by Katie m. Berggren.) 

You are so Loved in languages other than English:

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Tagalog –

—–

Lyrics:
Ikaw ay mahal,
Ikaw ay mahal,
Ikaw ay minamahal,
Ikaw ay mahal,.
Pronunciation: (underscore syllables that get emphasized)
Ee-kow eye ma-hahl (1st, 2nd & 4th lines)
Ee-kow eye mi-na-ma-hahl.
Translation of Tagalog back to English:
You are dear (understood as akin to loved)
You are loved.