Weeks 28-29: Solstice Song

In which the podcaster sings to you a composition of his own design, humbly made and humbly offered.

NOTE: This episode comes across much better with headphones or earbuds. A medium volume may serve it well in any case.

I accompany my vocals with djembe for the drum track and balafon for supporting melody.

Balafon – Wikipedia page 
Djembe - Wikipedia page

As a bonus for reading the episode notes, here’s a Solstice poem that I wrote when I was much, much younger. It bears no resemblance or relationship to the song.

 
DECEMBER 21

It is a return
of the sun  It is a
return of the sun  Oooo
Spring is coming
We are ready once
again to breathe honey


Wishing you all the best possible year to come. 

THE NEXT POD WILL BE CAST ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2025 and will be the first of a three-parter in which I’ll be interviewing artists about how they survive to make their art in America. Tune in for that!

Transcript

SOLSTICE SONG

Verse 1

As we head into the dark     let us sing a song of

as we head into the dark     let us sing a song of

sing a song of fire                 let us sing of fire

As we head into the dark     let us sing a song of

as we head into the dark     let us sing a song of

sing a song of fire                 let us sing of fire

Chorus

I just need to find a place where I can be 

I just need to find a place where I can be 

I just need to find a place where I can be 

We just need to find a place where we can be real 

Can we ever be real

Mixed Verse & Chorus

As we head into the dark  / I just need to find a place where I can be        

let us sing a song of / I just need to find a place 

as we head into the dark / I just need to find a place where I can be        

let us sing a song of / We just need to find a 

sing a song of fire / place where we can be real

let us sing of fire / Can we ever be real

Verse 2

As we step into the light     let us sing a song of 

as we step into the light     let us sing a song of 

sing a song of shadow          let us sing of shadow 

As we step into the light     let us sing a song of 

as we step into the light     let us sing a song of 

sing a song of shadow          let us sing of shadow 

Chorus

Just remember that we can always stand in 

Just remember that we can always stand in 

Please remember that you can always stand in 

Let’s remember that we can always stand in shadow 

In the comfort of shadow 

Mixed Verse & Chorus

As we step into the light / Just remember we can stand

let us sing a song of / just remember we can

As we step into the light / Just remember we can stand

let us sing a song of / Just remember we can stand

sing a song of shadow / we can stand in shadow

let us sing of shadow / In the comfort of shadow

Bridge 1

Light the brightest fire 

Burn the hate away 

Cover up in dark 

So we’ll be together when we know the storm is coming 

and the storm is coming 

Verse 3

As we walk into the storm     let us sing a song of 

as we walk into the storm     let us sing a song of 

sing a song of stillness         let us sing of stillness 

As we walk into the storm     let us sing a song of 

as we walk into the storm     let us sing a song of 

sing a song of stillness         let us sing of stillness 

Chorus

If our hearts are still then we can weather 

If our stance is still then we can weather 

If our minds are still then we can weather 

When our selves are still then we can weather what is to come 

What’s to come

Mixed Verse & Chorus

As we walk into the storm / If our hearts are still, we can weather

let us sing a song of / If our stance is still

 As we walk into the storm / If our minds are still, we can weather

 let us sing a song of / If our selves are still                 

sing a song of stillness / we can weather what is to come

let us sing of stillness / what’s to come

Verse 4

As we head into the dark / As we step into the light / As we walk into the storm 

let us sing a song of / let us sing a song of / let us sing a song of

as we head into the dark / as we step into the light / as we walk into the storm   

let us sing a song of / let us sing a song of / let us sing a song of

sing a song of fire / sing a song of shadow / sing a song of stillness      

let us sing of fire / let us sing of shadow / let us sing of stillness

IMPROV 

Bridge 2

When the rain is done 

Burn the steam away 

Let the roots take hold 

As the sky is clearing you will see the next year will come 

Next year will come

Finale

As we head into the dark   

As we step into the light   

As we walk into the storm    

Let us sing a song to 

Sing a song together 

Let us sing together 

As we walk together 

And we’ll be together 

And we’ll be together 

And we’ll be together.