Music | 1000 Fields of Roses

Singing Folk

One thing I like about YouTube is the recommendations I get when I go there. Yesterday’s post was about bardcore, and I listened to quite a few, so now I’m getting a lot of different recommendations…
I quite enjoy folk music, but don’t really listen to it a lot. At the moment, there are a lot popping up, so I’ve wandered down that road today. It’s worth searching YouTube for something you’ve wanted to check out, then scrolling down the sidebar and choosing whatever else shows up!
In the meantime, here’s a Latvian song in praise of oaks…

an Egyptian lullaby,

an Irish love song for books (and the Irish language).

and a Greek tale of a thirsty eagle.

I’m not sure how to categorise this one – it’s a song written for a video game, but the lyrics are a Swahili translation of the Lord’s Prayer – make of it what you will!

Go forth and browse!

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on July 20, 2020 at 8:00 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Folk Songs

Love Songs For The Middle Aged

So it seems that corona lockdown makes us all a little weird…
I have no idea how these videos made their way into my YouTube list, but there’s a genre apparently called “bardcore” – a sort of medieval imagining of popular songs. It appears to have sprung up in April, but there are a lot of songs if you look for them.

This is the first one I watched…

…and this one made me laugh out loud…

Most seem to be instrumental, so it’s your choice whether you want Sweet Dreams

or to be Thunderstruck!
😀

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Music

on July 18, 2020 at 8:00 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Bardcore

Back On The Couch!

I participated in another Couch Choir song collaboration recently – managed to learn the part and actually get it recorded! This is the result – enjoy. 🙂

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Music

on July 17, 2020 at 2:49 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Couch Choir, The Killers

Getting Up Again

After a long afternoon yesterday, my Babe and I are taking it easy today. Not sure that I would have believed, twenty (or even ten!) years ago, that unexpected exertion on one day would lead to exhaustion the next, but…here we are!
Came across this just now 🙂
I’m not one to advocate ignoring troubles for the sake of pretending to be joyful. I prefer to look at what’s happening, decide what I can do about it, and remind myself of what’s good in my life in the process.
So, rejoice!
Even in the midst…

And if your day is just that much harder right now, and you need some roses…

“So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 (TPT)

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on July 14, 2020 at 11:18 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Cory Asbury

Rattle!

(and live…)

He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
– Ezekiel 37:3

“Yahweh, you are my soul’s celebration.
How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness
you’ve done for me?
You kissed my heart with forgiveness, in spite of all I’ve done.
You’ve healed me inside and out from every disease.
You’ve rescued me from hell and saved my life.
You’ve crowned me with love and mercy.
You satisfy my every desire with good things.
You’ve supercharged my life so that I soar again
like a flying eagle in the sky!”
– Psalm 103:2-5

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on July 5, 2020 at 8:00 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Elevation Worship

I Rest My Soul…

Peter spoke up and said, “But Lord, where would we go? No one but you gives us the revelation of eternal life.
(John 6:68)

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on July 1, 2020 at 8:00 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Bethel

Rising, Green

This week I watched a Songs of Praise that was filmed for Easter, in Jerusalem. Most of the songs were ones I’ve sung (or heard) many times, but there was also a hymn that I’ve not come across (this is from an earlier show – couldn’t find the one from Jerusalem).

Christ’s death and resurrection is the centrepiece of Easter, and we sing a variety of hymns telling the story. This one reminded me of the wonder of resurrection – the world right now is weary, and it feels like any new life might be tired and colourless, straining to break clear of the dirt…
And yet, every year, new growth shoots from the ground, green and vibrant, ready to become mature and fulfill what it was made for.
Love has come again.
And Love has brought new, green, growing life – every day, whenever we need it!

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on June 30, 2020 at 5:29 pm Leave a Comment

Talking With A Neighbour

I referenced Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood in a post recently, and I’ve just been watching a full episode on YouTube. It’s quite soothing. His voice is gentle and kind, and there’s no flashing lights and CGI. There is imagination, and kindness. Also interesting lessons to learn!
I can’t think of a kids’ program today that is so simple, but with different layers. Admittedly, it’s been a long time since I watched shows for small children 🙂
I didn’t grow up watching this, as American kids seem to have, so I probably don’t have such a deep appreciation as I’ve seen in comments and articles online. What I have seen shows a kind, gentle man, who spoke to children with respect and helped them to navigate a sometimes scary and difficult world. I’m well past childhood and I felt soothed as I watched…
He spoke to children about real world problems, but in a way that they could understand, and speaking to the fears that a small child might have. Some of these are just as applicable today, whether about death,

divorce,

the violence on TV (with a little word to the adults),

or just the importance of recognising your own feelings, and apologising where necessary.

There’s also this clip, showing mothers breastfeeding, which I can’t see being filmed today… It’s a wonderful way to show children what breasts are for, though, without making it strange or uncomfortable.

Could there be a TV show made today that helps children in a similar way?
…or – how about we as adults decide to be that kind of neighbour?

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on June 25, 2020 at 8:00 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Mister Rogers

Blessing, Across The World

A while back I posted about “The Blessing”, sung by churches across the UK. I’ve just been listening to other versions from around the world, for a bit of an international morning! 🙂

From the Arab world

to Nigeria and South Africa…

…a change of pace in Ireland

then back to the blessing in Australia!

And finally – be blessed in Hebrew…

Lots of different languages and cultures, but all family ❤
I may never meet these people in this life, but I'll see them in the next!
All the more reason to sing with them now…

Or even dance! 😀