Gail,
I would be interested in this as well. I know I've heard people use Tracy Chapman, although I cannot remember which songs specifically. Another song I know people use is Bruce Springsteen's Philadelphia. This isn't about community service directly, rather more issue specific. I hope this helps, please share your results!
~Jennifer
Jennifer Alkezweeny
Clark College
One "oldie" is "I Can Help" by Billy Swan. I've never heard the song myself, but I think it's more related to helping a friend. However, based on the lyrics, it seems that it could easily apply to service as well. Another song that sort of follows a similar theme is "Lean on Me."
I hope this helps!
- dan
---------
Dan Quiterio
Holyoke Community College
Hi Gail, Here is a list of songs and poems for volunteerism from Denver DOVIAhttp://academic.regis.edu/volunteer/songs/default.htm Let me know if I can offer any other assistance!Renee MendeLibrarianNational Service-Learning Clearinghouse
Hi Gail,
Do you know about the Rise Up Singing song book. It's put out by the Quakers, though it's just a collection of lyrics and chords for a lot of well and not so well know songs. It also has references for where the songs are recorded. I don't know how to order it but your local Quakers or Society of Friends should know.
Andrew Doerr
UCSB Associated Students
Gail, This was an interesting request because I'm pretty good at remembering song lyrics.
1)I'm not sure of the name of the song (one little candle?) but the words are "It is better to light just one little candle than to stumble in the dark.
2) "I'd do anything for you" and "As long as he needs me" from the musical, Oliver.
3) "What I did for love" (if I remember this song correctly it can be interpreted as a love song or in a more general sense.)
4) "I'd like to teach the world to sing."
If I think of others, I'll let you know.
PSW
There's a musician by the name of Desree whose work, while not focusedspecifically on service, is focused on social justice and responsibility.The same with a lot of U2's music, and the Guthries' (Woody and Arlo). Ialso seem to recall from some years back a band by the name of Calobo outof Portland OR whose work was also centered on social justice issues. Youshould be able to find lyrics on line for most of these artists. Debra
Sweet Honey in the Rock is a terrific resource for social justice inspiring lyrics - while the style of their music is gospel - very few, if any of their lyrics are religious in nature. - In this Land is my favorite of their CD's, but
For environmental projects - Joni Mitchell's paved paradise is a clear cut choice
Peter Gabriel's Fourteen black paintings has a great line: "From the pain come the dream, from the dream come the vision, from the vision come the people, and from the people come the power, from the power comes the change".
I'd love to hear any other responses you get. I am always looking for ways to incorporate music and lyrics into reflection.
Naomi Friedman
Director of Training
spark: Partnership for Service
"Seasons of Love" from RENT, "Why" by Tracy Chapman are two that I can think of off hand.
Julius W. Mayo III
The Ohio State University
Here are a few suggestions. Hope this is helpful.
Are My Hands Clean? Bernice Johnson Reagon (Live at Carnegie Hall with Sweet Honey in the Rock CD, Flying Fish, 1987.) A song that traces the origin of a shirt through various sweatshops and countries.
Why? Tracy Chapman (Tracy Chapman CD, Elektra Entertainment, 1988.) The song raises questions about social issues of poverty and military spending, and alludes to the "doublespeak" of powerful groups who use words like peace and justice when the opposite is true.
Help Save the Youth of America, Billy Bragg. (Talking to the Taxman about Poetry CD, Elektra Entertainment, 1986.) A catchy plea to open the eyes of American youth to the problems of the world: "You can fight for democracy at home/And not in some foreign land."
Lives In The Balance, Jackson Browne. (Lives in the Balance CD, Asylum, 1986.) A powerful ballad about poverty in a Los Angeles barrio and sending young men to Vietnam.
Mr. Wendell, Arrested Development. (Eyes As Hard as a Million Tombstones CD, Chrysalis Records, 1993.) A moving rap song that describes the life of a homeless person.
Garbage! by Pete Seeger. (Pete CD, Living Music, 1996.) A wonderfully spirited song that looks at all aspects of the environmental crisis from an anti-corporate perspective. He sings about how the sea, the air and our minds are being filled with garbage. Kids love it.
trite but singable - we are the world and hands across america Beth M. WeissGeorgia State University I like True colors by Cyndi LauperHeidi Adielia StantonWashington State University
I found this last year. I can not remember where I found it but I thought it was really thought provoking. It may have been www.Jenchapin.com
- h
Heather Margolis
City Year Greater Philadelphia
|
Last year, NPR's All Things Considered profiled this fabulous song, Swimming to the Other Side by Pat Humphries. This is a great activist song, and will stick with you after you hear it. Pat Hunmphries is a community activist singer songwriter and may well have other songs that meet your needs, I'm not familiar with her other work but I can speak for Swimming to the Other Side -- its marvelous. |
|
|
"````"""'```'''````""""'`````""''````'''"""````'''"""````'''"""````'''"""
Alice D. Elliott
Associate Director
Maine Campus Compact
207-786-8217
http://www.mainecompact.edu
This article, written by a high school senior, deals more with music focused onprotest rather than community service, but I think it may still be valuable tosome out there. I like the way it identifies the three musical genres in whichprotest has flourished: folksy-rootsy (which I think many of us overemphasize),punk, and hip-hop. Punk being the style I'm most interested in, let me suggestpolitically-conscious bands such as Bad Religion, The Weakerthans, Propagandhi,BOYSETSFIRE, Rise Against, and Los Desaparecidos. Don't forget early U2. Protest Music Is Alive and Kickinghttp://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=15518 Rob FargoLoyola Marymount University
You might try "Ordinary Miracles" recorded by Barbra Streisand.
Andy
For your list...Hammer and a Nail- Indigo GirlsInspiring young people to get involved and make a differenceAlly Graul
Gail,
You might want to check out a list of songs collected for volunteerism.
http://academic.regis.edu/volunteer/songs/
You might find something to suit your
purposes there.
Mary Lou McNatt
Regis University
As a former leader of Alternative Spring Break, we found that the best way to inspire and energize pre-service students is with songs that are not necessarily about service, but that are thought provoking in that setting. "We didn't start the fire" is a good one.
Alison Turkus
AmeriCorps Leader
CityCares