The COVID Collection - Part 1 of 8

Sleepsongs is the opening episode in the 8 part series called COVID Kids and Companions where we celebrate a few of the positive things that came out of COVID as we serve up a virtual cornucopia of creature companions.  

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:06

You're listening to a special series on Acoustic Avenue. This is Ted Crouch, and I'll be your host for the next hour on today's program COVID Kids and Companions. This series is co-produced with Joe Little. On Acoustic Avenue, we recognize with respect and gratitude that in the Shoe Swap, the land on which we live, work, and play our music, is the unceded traditional territory of the Sequnik people. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Sixika, Kainai, Pekini, the Shoutina, the Layash Nakota Nations, the Metis Nation, Region 3, and all the people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of southern Alberta. A while back, actually, during a deep and difficult time of the pandemic, Joe and I were having a conversation about the upcoming music festival season, the return of concerts and music in general, and options being considered in case the latest variant of COVID got out of hand. That led to yet another round of recollection of all the difficult and challenging things about COVID. From mandatory masks to concert cancellations, social distancing to supply shortages, social unrest to businesses closing the doors, and the loss of way too many family and friends. But in the course of this conversation, we also came to realize that there were a few positives that came out of COVID as well. And although it's true that a lot of senior citizens finally learned how to use their computers, and that almost everybody eventually figured out how to use the mute button during a zoom call, that's not what we mean. People reached out to family and friends, some of whom they may not have contacted in a while, just to say, how you doing? You okay? However, the most profound positives came in the form of a rather dramatic increase in the number of newborns and the amazing number of animal adoptions at the same time, often by the families of the newborns. This realization became an idea for a series of shows that we call COVID Kids and Companions. And right now, there are eight that will air during the coming weeks. Today, we begin the series with a show dedicated to the newest citizens of this earth, the children. Because we start our lives in a place that is dark, warm, and quiet. A world where the sound of our parents is felt rather than heard. A place that feels safe and familiar. And since the very beginning, parents have used that familiarity in the form of soft words, humming, and the singing of songs. To ease the transition from that world of comfort to their child's new home. We know them as lullabies. Today's show, Sleep Songs, is a collection of lullabies and songs sung as lullabies that hopefully will inspire you to create your own unique contribution to this timeless tradition. Join us now as we go back to the land of Luly Lile. In this first set, you will hear Harry Nielsen with Mother Nature's son, Nolwyn Leroy with The Song of the Sea. And we will start today featuring Secret Garden and the beautiful voice of The Anwela Gill from the 2005 album Earth Song with Sleep Song.

SPEAKER_03 5:01

May you say affair to the far fields of fortune with diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet and may you need love to punish misfortune. May you find kindness in all that you may show you. Bring happiness, beloved to the end of your days.

SPEAKER_01 9:30

See her what is right, listen to the ready sound of music as she fly.

SPEAKER_03 11:35

Close your eyes and sleep, waltzing the waves, diving the deep. Stars are shining bright. The wind is on the rise, whispering words of long lost alibies. Won't you come with me? Where the moon is made of gold and in the morning, so we'll be sailing. Won't you come with me? Where the ocean meets the sky, and as the clouds roll by, we'll sing the song of the sea. I had a dream last night and heard the sweetest sound. I saw a great white light and dancers in the round, castles in the sand, cradles in the trees. Don't cry, I'll see you by and by. We'll sing all of the singularity.

SPEAKER_00 15:10

The second set continues with selections from our musical collection. From the album, if on a winter's night by Sting, you will hear the lullaby for an anxious child. Sting is joined on this song by Julian Sutton on the Melodion. Dominic Miller on guitars. Mary McMaster on the violin. Eva Cassidy opens with What a Wonderful World with the London Symphony Orchestra. And the recent March 2023 posthumous release I can only be me. It has become an enduring part of Eva Cassidy's story that the last song she ever sang in public was What a Wonderful World. Less than six weeks before she passed away, Eva was in the midst of aggressive chemotherapy treatment. That night she was supported by a shot of morphine to diminish the pain and give her the strength to take the stage. It was a miraculous generosity of effort that she sang it all to the huge crowd of friends and family and well-wishers who had come to the Bayou Nightclub for a tribute to Eva Cassidy. The choice of song. That detail seems to convey so much insight into Eva's attitude toward life and death, her simplicity, her love for the beauty of nature, her bravery and grace of spirit. Here is Eva Cassidy, Sting and Celine Dion.

SPEAKER_03 17:48

And they'll learn much more than I'll ever know. And I think to myself Oh, what a wonderful world. The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky are also on the faces of the people passing by. I see friends shaking hands singing how do you do it? So pretty in the sky are also on the faces of the people passing by friends, shaking hands, singing how do you do? But they're really saying I'm loving trees of green and red roses too. I watch them bloom for me and you, and I think to myself. I pray you be my and watch her as she go and help her to be. Help me to let go every marvelous prayer, every child to apply your prince to apply to the previous false mind where you are spring every channel need to find a place Get How with the Give a thing so chill lead on to a crash.

SPEAKER_00 29:11

The previous set featured Eva Cassidy, and Sally Deon. This set begins with a multiple award-winning and Grammy-nominated Jan singer, Stacey Ken. From her album Dreamsville, we will play Mountain Lullaby for a stormy night by Deanna Kang from her album Waking Hour. Singer Songwriter King has released five albums and plays the piano. We will end this set with a beautiful rendition of the Eden Obed song Nature Boy, performed by Celine Dion from her album A New Day Has Come. Here is Stacy Kent, Viana Tang, and Celine Dion.

SPEAKER_02 30:07

Softly blows over Lullaby Bay. It feels the sails of boats that are waiting, waiting to sail your worries away. It isn't far too hushabi mountain, and your boat waits down by the quay. The winds of night so softly are sighing. Soon they will fly your troubles to sea. So close your eyes on Hushabai Mountain. Wave goodbye to cares of the day and watch your boat from Hushabai Mountain. Sail far away from love by day. Wave goodbye to cares of the day. And watch your boat from Hushabai Mountain. Sail far away from the child, be not afraid.

SPEAKER_03 33:01

The rain tells us again, the glass I can unwanted stranger. There is no danger. I'm here tonight. Little child, be not afraid. The thunder explodes, and lightning flash illuminates your tear-stained face. I'm here tonight, and someday you'll know that nature is so the same rain that draws you near me, falls on rivers and land, on forests and sand makes the beautiful world that you see in the morning. The storm clouds mask your beloved moon and its candlelight beams, still keep pleasant dreams. I'm here tonight. Little child, be not afraid. The wind makes creatures of our trees and the branches to hands they're not real understand. And I am here tonight, and someday you'll know the nature is so the same rain that draws you near me, falls on rivers and land, and forests and sand makes the beautiful world that you see in the morning For you know once even I was a little child and I was afraid But a gentle someone always came to dry all my tears to its sweet sleep for fears and to give a kiss good night. Well now I'm at all and these years have shone the rain's about how life goes, but it's dark and it's late, so old and wait till frightened eyes to close, and that you love the nature so the same rain that draws you near me, falls on rivers and land, a forest and sand makes the beautiful world that you'll see in the morning. Everything's fine in the morning. The rain will be gone in the morning, but we'll still be here in the morning. A very strange and shadowed boy. They say he wandered very far, very far over land and sea little shadow, but very wise was he and then one day one magic day he passed my way and while we spoke of many things, fools and kings this he said to me the greatest thing you ever love is just to love and be loved. And while we spoke of many things, false and kings this he said to me the greatest thing you ever learn is just to love and be love.

SPEAKER_00 40:05

Well, this brings us to the final set of today's program on Acoustic Avenue. Thank you to the songwriters and musicians who wrote the lyrics and composed the music, and I hope you enjoyed the love and ultimate joy they share through their music. And a very special thank you to Joe Little for co-producing this series of COVID head and companions. To take us home today, we'll start the set with Nicolette Larson and Graham Nash. And the moment I saw you written by Nash and included on Larson's album Leader Baby. That is followed by Julie Andrews and Stay Awake from the musical soundtrack of Mary Pop. And we're going to ask Secret Garden to come back one more time on today's show. They will be joined by Karen Matheson, singing prayer from the album Dawn of a New Century. Linda Ronstadt will close the show singing a John Lennon and Paul McCartney song Good Night from her album Dedicated to the One I Love.

SPEAKER_03 44:09

Y don't lie down upon your head. While the wood is not a good idea, we're going to be able to do that. And the way was spurring software, so close your eyes through the soul. Angels will watch you and soon beautiful dreams welcome. Can you feel spirits every single song? Secrets of darkness of food. Good night. Sweet night.

SPEAKER_06 50:51

Sweet dreams for you. Dream sweet dreams for me.

SPEAKER_03 51:04

Close your eyes and I close mine. Good night. Sweet night now begins to shine.

unknown 51:26

Good night. Sweet night.

SPEAKER_03 51:33

Dweep, sweet wings for you. Dream sweet wheels for me. Close your eyes and I close mine. Good midnight. Sleep tight now begins to shine. Good night. Sleep night sweet dreams, sweet dreams.

SPEAKER_00 54:13

Julie Andrews, Secret Garden with Karen Matheson, and Linda Ronstadt. Thank you for listening to Acoustic Avenue. This is Ted Crouch signing off, and on behalf of Joe Little, from our hearts to yours, stay safe and love the ones you're with. Peace. Cook's jam.