SONGS FOR SOUL MATTERS 2016-2017:

All songs listed here are written and copyright-protected by Mary Grigolia

To order sheet music for any song, email a request to mary@marygrigolia.com.

September / Covenant:

Are You Ready to Sing? Commitment to a Vision, 3, songbook; Voices from the Path, songbook and recording; mp3; melody, SATB, piano, pdf Learning, growing and singing from all our joys and sorrows. Zipper-song. A cappella, percussion, piano. Small groups (all ages), choir, congregation.

Blessed Are We, the Audacious Ones, Commitment to a Vision, 2 songbook; SATB, pdf An upbeat benediction for congregations and groups doing the work of justice. Translated from the Spanish, from a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Los Angeles. Call and response works well. A cappella, piano, guitar, percussion. Choir, congregation.

Blessing, Commitment to a Vision, 1 songbook, 2; Spirit Song songbook; melody, pdf Earth-centered blessing for wedding, ordination, installation of a new minister, child-dedications, new building, or new home. A cappella, with piano or guitar. Solo, choir, small group, congregation.

Field of the Heart, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, piano, pdf A song (and/or dance) of our interconnections: “In the field of the heart we are home.” Call and response works well. A cappella, piano, guitar, percussion. Small group, choir, congregation.

Honey from the Rock, Commitment to a Vision, 2, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; Voices from the Path, songbook and recording; mp3; melody, SATB, piano, pdf Words from Psalm 81, an affirmation from the deep Self, that we evolve together, that even in our deepest difficulties, we offer each other the sweetness of awareness, healing, transformation, love. Call and response. A capella, piano, guitar. Congregation, choir, small group.

Strong Is What We Make Each Other, Commitment to a Vision, 3, songbook; Voices from the Path, songbook and recording; mp3; melody, SATB, piano, pdf Words inspired by Marge Piercy. “Love and justice intertwining.” Call and response. A cappella, piano. Congregation, small group.

We Hold This Love, Commitment to a Vision, 2, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; Grigolian Chants recording; mp3; melody, pdf 2-part round with words from Cassandra Sagan, written for a wedding, suitable for convocations, reunions, and for congregational services. A cappella, percussion. Small group, choir, congregation, gathered guests.

October / Healing:

Are You Ready to Sing? Commitment to a Vision, 3, songbook; Voices from the Path, songbook and recording; mp3; melody, SATB, piano, pdf Learning and growing from difficult situations.Zipper-song. A cappella, percussion, piano. Small groups (all ages), choir, congregation.

Breath, Commitment to a Vision, 2 songbook, Spirit Song songbook; Grigolian Chants recording; mp3; melody, pdf Native American blessing: “I add my breath to your breath that our days may be long on this earth, that the days of our people may be long.” A cappella with percussion. Small group, choir, congregation.

Grief, Light, Peace, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, SATB, piano, pdf: Song for a dark night of the soul. Bluesy and powerful. There is deep grief in me. Deep peace, grief, and light in me.” Call and response. A cappella, percussion, piano. Individual, small group, choir, congregation

Heal, My Little One, Commitment to a Vision, 2, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; Grigolian Chants recording; mp3; melody, pdf 4-part round, for healing self, other, world. A cappella. Individual, small group, choir, congregation.

I’m A-Gonna Learn, Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; Songs for Growing Souls songbook; melody, piano pdf: 2-part round affirming growing through hard times. Call and response. A capella, piano, percussion. Great with ASL. Individual, small group, choir, congregation.

Learn to Fly, Commitment to a Vision, 2, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; Voices from the Path, songbook and recording; mp3; melody, SATB, piano, pdf Affirmation of transformation, attribution unknown: “When we come to the edge of all the light we have and we step into the darkness, the unknown, we will find something solid we can stand upon or we believe we will surely learn to fly.” A cappella, piano. Solo, choir, small group, congregation.

Loving Kindness Song, Commitment to a Vision, 3, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; melody, pdf From the Buddhist metta meditation: “May you be at peace and may you be at ease. May you be filled with compassion and filled with joy, may I be filled with compassion and filled with joy.” Hands free. A cappella, guitar, piano. Individual, small groups, congregation.

Metta, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, piano, pdf A setting of the Buddhist Loving Kindness practice. Call and response. A cappella, piano. Individual, small group, choir, congregation.

November / Story:

Ah, Yes! Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; melody, pdf A song/round in story and dance: alienation ends in encounter, encounter opens to gratitude, gratitude opens the heart to a wider world. A capella. Small group, retreat, workshop, congregation.

Fly Away, Orioles, , Commitment to a Vision, 2, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; Songs for Growing Souls songbook; mp3; Grigolian Chants recording; melody, piano, pdf 4-part round. What’s upsetting you? What are you ready to get rid of? And what’s behind it? Singing layer by layer until we give voice to what needs being sung – all within a baseball motif! A capella, piano, percussion. For all ages. Small group, choir (children, mixed, adult), congregation.

Guest House, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, piano, pdf A round from Rumi; everything is an invitation to learn and love.“This being human is a guest house; every moment, a new arrival. Meet them at the door, invite them in, laughing, grateful. Each has been sent as a guide from beyond.” Call and response. All ages. A cappella, percussion, guitar. Small groups, choir, congregation.

Ocean to Ocean, Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; melody pdf A guided meditation set to music, discovering the inner guide. Guitar, piano, percussion. Solo or small ensemble.

The Potter’s Wheel, Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; Voices from the Path, songbook and recording; melody, SATB, piano, pdf; mp3 We are the clay, the bowl, the dream, the tears, the hands. Call and response. Strong chorus: “Dreaming, molding, guiding, holding, loving letting go.” Guitar or piano with percussion. Congregation, small group, choir.

Show Me the Road (aka Psalm 143), Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; mp3; Voices from the Path (songbook and recording); melody, SATB, piano, pdf A prayer for inner guidance. “Show me the road that I must travel for you to relieve my heart.” Sing-along chorus. Guitar, piano. Solo, small group, choir, congregation.

December / Presence:

Be Still and Know, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, piano, pdf 3-part round, meditative chant for the spacious stillness of God within us all. A cappella, percussion, piano; call and response. Individual, small group, congregation.

The Dark, Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; Voices from the Path, songbook and recording; Songs for Growing Souls songbook; melody, SATB, piano pdf; mp3 Recasts darkness as catalyst of healing and transformation. Sing-along chorus. Call and response. A cappella, guitar, piano. Solo, small group, congregation, choir.

Dearest One, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, piano, pdf A love song to God, the Beloved in all Her/His/Our forms: “Dearest One, Deepest One, Hidden One, Everywhere!” A cappella, piano. Individual, small group, choir, congregation.

Good Morning, Flowing Stream, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; melody, pdf For morning meditation (or change the lyrics to reflect your time of day), recognizing yourself in nature, reflecting your deepest wisest self back to you. Please adapt the lyrics for your situation. Call and response. A cappella, percussion. Individual, small group, congregation.

The Grace of Her, Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; Voices from the Path, songbook and recording; melody, SAA, SAM, Piano pdf; mp3 Honoring the feminine divine, in us and all around us. Call and response. A cappella, guitar, piano, flute, strings. Duet, choir, small group, congregation.

Hush, Wait, Listen! Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; Spirit Song songbook; melody, pdf 3-part meditation round, calling us to the song of the breathing. A cappella, piano, guitar. Individual, small group, congregation.

I Find You, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; SATB, pdf Meditative conversation with Mystery, God, the Deep One. Where do you find your Beloved? Piano, strings, woodwinds. Solo, small group, congregation.

Let It Shine Through, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, piano, pdf Song for times of waiting, of not knowing, not-yet (Advent, Lent, winter). Life dreaming in the darkness, through all faith traditions. “There’s light within you; let it shine through!” Guitar, piano. Individual, small group, congregation.

January / Prophecy:

Hymn to Gaia, Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; melody pdf Song to Gaia, the Earth goddess who dances the world alive. “Again she calls to us as many times before.”Guitar, piano. Solo, small group, congregation.

The Journey, Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; melody with piano pdf Written for a friend volunteering with Witness for Peace, repatriating Central American refugees. “What is the purpose of your journey? To learn compassion, to bear fair witness, and to affirm a human conscience that works for freedom and justice in every land.” Piano, guitar. Solo, small group, choir, congregation.

Kindle a Light, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, piano, pdf A chant (and dance) set to the closing words of Carl Jung’s autobiography: “As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.” Works well with a candle-lighting at winter solstice. A cappella, piano, guitar. Small group, congregation.

Learn to Fly, Commitment to a Vision, 2, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; Voices from the Path, songbook and recording; mp3; melody, SATB, piano, pdf Affirming transformation; attribution unknown: “When we come to the edge of all the light we have and we step into the darkness, the unknown, we will find something solid we can stand upon or we believe we will surely learn to fly.” A capella, piano. Solo, choir, small group, congregation.

Open Your Heart to the Song of the Planet, (aka Song of the Planet), Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; melody, piano pdf A plea to listen and respond to the voice of the Earth singing through us. Strong chorus. Guitar, piano. Solo, ensemble, small group, choir, congregation.

We’ve Come to Our Own Conclusions, Commitment to a Vision, 2, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; Grigolian Chants recording; mp3’ melody, pdf A zipper-song affirming our differences and our need to walk together. A cappella, piano, guitar. Small group, public witness, congregation.

February / Identity:

I Am A Flute: Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, pdf Meditation song, “I am a flute, I am open. I am a flute, I am empty. I am empty and ready for the music of the wind, I am willing and open for the music of the wind.” What form is life taking, playing through you? Call and response. A cappella, flute, piano. Individual, small group, congregation.

I Am Ready, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; melody, pdf Meditation song affirming our intention to open. To what are you opening? Call and response. A cappella, piano, guitar, percussion. Individual, group, congregation.

I Am Strength, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; melody, pdf Meditative song affirming our own strengths. What strengths do you name and sing? Call and response. A cappella, piano, guitar, percussion. Individual, small group, congregation.

I Know This Rose, Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; melody, pdf 4-part round affirming wholeness in time of fear, transition and transformation. A capella, piano, guitar. Solo, small group, congregation.

This Cup, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, piano, pdf Three dimensions of spiritual life: over-filling, emptying out, opening to the flow. Call and response A cappella, piano, guitar. Individual, small group, choir, congregation.

The Underground Stream, Commitment to a Vision, 2, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; melody, pdf Call and response: Listen to the secret sound, the real sound, which is inside you. We are here in the waters beyond the well, here in the underground stream. A capella, guitar, piano. Group, congregation.

Voices from the Path, Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; Voices from the Path (songbook and recording); melody, piano, pdf; mp3 2- or 4-part round: “Voices from the path are calling me; allies on the way, be here with me; music from the heart is singing me.” Affirming the spiritual journey.A cappella, percussion. Small group, choir, congregation.

The World Has Gifts, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; Songs for Growing Souls songbook; melody, piano, pdf “The world has gifts for you (me). The world needs gifts from you (me). I am open, I am grateful.” A cappella, percussion, guitar, flute. For all ages. Individual, small group, congregation.

March / Risk:

The Dance of Change, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; melody, pd Inspired by Marge Piercy. We do not seek to stop the wheel of change, but to dance in its turning. Call and response. A cappella or bluesy piano or guitar.. Individual, small group, choir, congregation.

Help Me Find My Way, Commitment to a Vision, 3, songbook; Voices from the Path (songbook and recording); mp3; melody, SATB, piano, pdf Complements Buddha’s, “Be Lamps Onto Yourselves.” Who are we to each other on the path? When I may not trust myself, help me find my way. Zipper song. A cappella, piano, percussion. For solo, small group, choir, congregation.

How Can I Know? Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; melody pdf. Cry for help and response from the Heart, for guidance, connection, healing, meaning. Guitar, piano. Solo, duet, small group, congregation.

I’m A-Gonna Learn, Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; Songs for Growing Souls songbook; melody, piano pdf 2-part round, engaging intentional growing through hard times. Call and response. A capella, piano, percussion. ASL. Individual, small group, choir, congregation.

Lightning Chant, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, piano, pdf 2-part round/chant inspired from a Navajo creation story: “I follow the scent of falling rain and head for the place where it’s darkest. I follow the lightning and draw near to the place where it strikes.” How does creation call you? Hands-free. A cappella, guitar, piano, percussion. Individual, small group, congregation.

The Path, Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook, Songs for Growing Souls songbook; melody, piano pdf 2- or 4-part round on the importance of friendship and trust on the spiritual journey into the unknown. Also works well as call and response. A cappella or with piano. Individual, small groups, all ages, congregation.

April / Transformation:

The Dance of Change, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; melody, pdf Inspired by Marge Piercy. We do not seek to stop the wheel of change, but to dance in its turning. Call and response. A cappella, bluesy piano, guitar. Individual, small group, choir, congregation.

Darkness Visible, Commitment to a Vision, 2, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; Grigolian Chants recording; mp3; melody, pdf 2- or 4-part round opening to the healing darkness on the spiritual journey. A cappella, percussion, piano, guitar. Small group, congregation.

Easter (aka, Out of the Darkness and into the Light), Commitment to a Vision, 1, songbook; Songs for Growing Souls songbook; melody, piano pdf Three young voices – a plant, bird, baby – sing of new life, renewal in the environment, in ourselves. Out of the darkness and into the light, my life is ready to unfurl. My dreams will hold me as I grow. Call and response. Guitar, piano. Solo, choir (adult or children), congregation.

Learn to Fly, Commitment to a Vision, 2, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; Voices from the Path (songbook and recording); mp3; melody, SATB, piano, pdf Affirming transformation; attribution unknown: “When we come to the edge of all the light we have and we step into the darkness, the unknown, we will find something solid we can stand upon or we believe we will surely learn to fly.” A capella, piano. Solo, choir, small group, congregation.

Safe Passage, Commitment to a Vision, 3, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; Voices from the Path (songbook and recording); mp3; melody, SATB, piano, pdf A gospel-sounding song to honor our many life passages: for memorial services, graduations, end of conferences and retreats. Hands free. A cappella, piano. Individual, small group, choir, congregation.

May / Embodiment:

The Breath of All, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; SATB, pdf A good-morning song affirming mindfulness and the connection between the outer world and inner awareness. A cappella, guitar, piano. Small group, choir, congregation.

Breathing Here in You, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; melody, piano, pdf Song celebrating inter-being – with one another, with all who went before: “We are the strength of the hands reaching out to hold you, we are the yearning for love in your soul. We are the voice of the wind, from the void where all begins. We are the future and the past, breathing here in you.” Piano, guitar. Small group, choir, congregation.

Call Me Back, Commitment to a Vision, 3, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; melody, pdf A song for meditation, calling oneself back to the body, to the heart, to life. Call and response. A cappella, piano. Small group, choir, congregation.

Earth Meets Sky, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; melody, pdf 3-part round for walking or sitting meditation, opening to our oneness with Nature as witness. A cappella, percussion. For individual, small group, congregation.

Keeping Your Vow, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, piano, pdf Thanking our bodies for keeping their vow so we may live and give, grow and know, love as God is love, sing as Life would sing. Bluesy, upbeat. Zipper-song A cappella, piano, percussion. Small group or congregation.

Made from This Earth, Commitment to a Vision, 2, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; Grigolian Chants recording; mp3; melody, pdf Words from Susan Griffin, Woman and Nature: “I know I am made from this earth, as my mother’s hands were made from this earth, as her dreams came from this earth. And all that I know, I know from this earth.” A capella, piano. Solo, small group, choir, congregation.

We Hold This Love, Commitment to a Vision, 2, sonbook; Grigolian Rounds songbook; Grigolian Chants recording; mp3; melody, pdf 2-part round with words from Cassandra Sagan, written for a wedding, suitable for convocations, reunions, and for congregational services. A cappella, percussion. Small group, choir, congregation, gathered guests.

June / Zest:

Circle of Thanks, Commitment to a Vision, 3, songbook; Songs for Growing Souls songbook; melody, pdf What are you thankful for, in this very moment? Sing as a circle dance. Zipper song for all ages. A cappella, piano, guitar, percussion. Small group, congregation.

Enjoying the Day, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; melody, pdf An invitation to be present with joy right here, in all life’s ambiguities and changes. Call and response A cappella, piano, percussion. Individual, small group, congregation.

Heart of Love, Spirit Song 2013 songbook; melody, pdf 3-part round celebrating Love as who we are: “Come from the heart of love, and live in the heart of love; return to the heart of love in harmony!” A cappella, piano, percussion, guitar. Small group, choir, congregation.

Love Opens, Commitment to a Vision, 4, songbook; Spirit Song songbook; melody, pdf Upbeat song, chant, dance affirming love: “Love opens up our bodies and love opens up our spirits and love opens up our hearts, we’re seeds of love. We’ll celebrate the love that births the seed, we’ll comfort one another when we grieve, we’ll greet each day together with the need to share this love.” Call and response. A cappella, piano, guitar, percussion. Individual, small group, choir, congregation.