Children's church choir Archives - Pamela Holm 1960-2019

Hold the World in Love

heather — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 14:58:45 +0000

Where can you see this song being sung? I can imagine it on the steps of a parliament or legislature at an Earth Day or environmental rally. More quietly in a small circle. Arranged for choir, or for small a capella groups. I can imagine people changing the words or writing new verses to suit their cause, their mindset, the needs of the day. I can imagine it evolving into an anthem (one of many) of those who are embracing a new relationship with the planet.

Table Of Contents

Video
Sheet music
Lyrics

Video

We recorded this song in 2020 near Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia.

Sheet music

Hold the World in Love – Sheetmusic with lyrics Download

Lyrics

Hold the World in Love

Listen to the heartbeat of the nations
Listen to the rhythm of their songs
Listening, feel the spirit as it rises
Listen how the heartbeat draws us home

Hold the world in love (x4)

Hear the steps of people walking peaceward
Hear the steps of people holding hands
Feel the rhythms as we walk together
Bringing hope and courage to all lands

Hold the world in love (x4)

We sing of peace, we sing of courage, we sing of love
We sing of truth, we sing of justice, we sing of love

Hear the sound as nations sing together
Feel the strength as voices rise in song
Feel the spirit, oh my sister, brother
Singing out our songs in unison

Hold the world in love (x4)

I feel appreciation for my sisters
Who gather us around the fire bright
I feel compassion deeply for my brothers
Searching for a way to make things right

We sing of life, we sing of harmony, we sing of love
We sing of joy, and of tenacity, we sing of love

Forgiving one another for our failures
Forgiving first of all the one within
Learning how to dance as equal partners
So paradise on Earth, it can begin

We sing of sharing, and of compassion, we sing of love
We sing of peace, and of forgiveness, we sing of love

Hold the world in love (x4 or more to finish)

The post Hold the World in Love appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

Joy Dances Through Me

heather — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 23:09:40 +0000

A happy waltz, found near Waltz to the Angels. So maybe it was also written about 2006.

It’s short, so I can imagine singing it through once, then have an instrumental break, then singing either the last half, or the whole thing again. I can also imagine it sung by a choir.

Waltz me round through the heavens in three quarter time.
Joy Dances Through Me, by Pamela Holm

Table Of Contents

Video
Sheet music
Lyrics

Video

Here’s Miranda Lever singing it:

Sheet music

Joy Dances Through Me by Pamela Holm, sheet music Download

Lyrics

Joy dances through me like a light summer rain.
Hearing a cheerful bird’s song, my heart’s singing again.
Lift me high on your wings, O great Spirit Divine,
Waltz me round through the heavens in three quarter time.

Joy, joy, carries my heart
From the first rays of dawn through the twinkling of stars.
Joy, wrap my life in your bliss,
Help the world to know you like this.

The post Joy Dances Through Me appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

Spirit of Life (2009)

heather — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 01:18:39 +0000

Pamela wrote this song “after a difficult conversation with a minister around theology”, as she related in this talk. I can just imagine that conversation!

We played this recording at her interment ceremony as we paid our individual respects. It was very poignant in that context.

It isn’t a studio recording, just something she recorded for her own records, or perhaps as a casual demo. – HH

Spirit of Life, work your magic in my soul
Bringing your wondrous touch, you ignite
The fire that makes me whole
Spirit of Life reflected in the rising of the Sun
Resurrect your spirit here in the knowing we are all one.

One in the Godhead, one in the heart
One in the peace, that’s where we start
One in the blessing of the sun
One sun that shines on everyone.

Spirit of Life, I feel so full of Grace
Knowing how your radiant form transfigures every face
Spirit of Life reflected in the light of every smile
Opening heart and mind alike to your presence here all the while.

Light of loving, light of truth
Light through the Spirit we’re made new
Light that warms us like the sun
One sun that shines on everyone.

One in the Godhead, one in the heart
One in the peace, that’s where we start
One in the blessing of the sun
One sun that shines on everyone.
One sun that shines on everyone.

The post Spirit of Life (2009) appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

All I Want to Be

heather — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 01:00:24 +0000

In this song, Pamela wanted to pass on what she learned over a lifetime of being the little sister.

She mentored some other younger sisters in her adult life, and must have been acutely aware of their needs to develop their own interests and identities, and to individuate from a self-confident older sibling.

As Pam’s big sister, I knew of this challenge in her life, and our mother understood it very well. I had to learn to give her space to find herself, and be supportive without taking over. When she was dying and I had to take over – in everything from life and death decisions to income taxes – it was especially poignant because of our history as the big and little sister.

Self-actualizing as the little sister was a big life lesson for Pam. And she succeeded, as the song proves. I am very proud of her.

She made a personal recording of this song, which I have illustrated with photos of her growing up and as an adult. – HH

Lyrics: All I Want to Be

When I stand by an ant, I am ten feet tall
When I stand by a tree, then I’m very small
In the eyes of Creation I am wholly free
To be all I want to be.

Being me, being free
Choosing how I want to be
In the eyes of Creation
I am wholly free to be all I want to be.

When I look at my sister who is older than me
Then I sometimes feel so small
I would like to do just as she can do
But I just can’t do it all.
So I take a breath, and I let it go
And I breathe in one more time
And I know inside that I’m four, not five
And as my mommy says, I’ll grow.

When I take some time to be all by myself
When my sister’s not around
Then I find some things that I like to do
That are different from what she’s found
And I take a breath, and I let it go
And I smile here just for me
And I know I have ideas that are mine to grow
And I’m happy and feeling free.

Being me, being free
Choosing how I want to be
In the eyes of Creation
I am wholly free to be all I want to be.

All I Want to Be, by Pamela J Holm – sheet music (melody, words and chords)Download

Audio only:

The post All I Want to Be appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

Jesus Shine Your Light (2009)

heather — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 00:04:42 +0000

Written for the Children’s Choir at St. Paul’s United Church in Perth, ON.

Photo is of Pam and her nephew (my son) with the Christmas creche we had as children. -HH

Jesus Shine Your Light by Pamela J Holm Download

The post Jesus Shine Your Light (2009) appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

Come to the Garden

heather — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 02:44:31 +0000

I can hear arrangements of this song being sung by choirs. – HH

Video

Performed by Miranda Lever.

Sheet music

Come-to-the-Garden Download

Lyrics

Published by Orleans Writing Group, 2018

The post Come to the Garden appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

Sing of Joy (2008)

heather — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 01:46:17 +0000

A Solstice/Christmas song, written in 2008.

Pam’s rewrite of the lyrics in the second verse, as shown in the sheet music below, removed the overtly Christmas references, making it suitable as a song for Solstice.

Christmas version, verse 2:

Beauty lies within us, opening to joy
and the gift this season brings us is a blessed baby boy.
Open wide your heart to let the Christ-light in
so the healing fire of love can begin.

UPDATE March 2020 – I was delighted to find a video I took of Pam singing this song on Christmas Day, 2016, chez nous. We had a few friends over for Christmas dinner, and were singing carols together when she sang the song – with the Christmas words. The look on her face at the end when she saw that I had recorded it on video was priceless.

Sing of Joy by Pamela Holm – sheetmusic Download

(Note to musicians: In the video, observe the evolution of note values and syncopation as she sings the song 8 years after writing it. No need to take things exactly as written. Make it your own.)

The post Sing of Joy (2008) appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

Peace Train’s A-Comin’ (2014)

heather — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 01:31:52 +0000

A gospel-flavoured song with a hint of Christmas to it.

Download PDF sheet music

The post Peace Train’s A-Comin’ (2014) appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

I AM a Channel for Love (2009)

heather — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 01:39:23 +0000

The number of copies of this song, located in different folders and binders in Pamela’s apartment, suggests to me that she sang it with various groups on different occasions. I bet she sang the verses and encouraged people to join in on the chorus. If you remember, let me know in the comments below. – HH

PDF version (music and words)

The post I AM a Channel for Love (2009) appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.

Shine Light Shine (2009)

heather — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 01:30:24 +0000

Originally written for the Children’s Choir at St. Paul’s United Church in Perth.

My forensic guess is that Pamela made the recording below several years after she had moved from Perth to Ottawa, so the song wasn’t fresh in her mind. This was take #4. In earlier takes, she stumbled over typos in her sketchy notes, so I figure she paused and typed out the full verses as given with the tune below. This time she got the words right, so please ignore the inconsistencies in the chords and the catches in her voice. Determination and perfectionism have limits!

She used the song at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa in 2018, and on other occasions. I have a recording of it at a singing workshop, date and location unknown. Fill me in if you remember.

Sheet Music for Shine Light Shine, by Pamela J Holm Download

The post Shine Light Shine (2009) appeared first on Pamela Holm 1960-2019.