A Playlist for the Confusion
Singing into the unknown
I am currently enjoying a digital sabbath in which I am offline not checking email, social media or anything related to Substack. This is one of a few posts that will appear while I’m relishing in sabbath time.
When I was in seminary, working along the Poor People’s Campaign now led by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, it was said in one of those meetings that we need music for a revolution to take root in our souls. We need all forms of art to imagine the world that we believe is possible, to glimpse its possibility.
I remember Liz saying this in front of the gathered community, inviting us to reflect on art that left an impact on our lives. I don’t remember the details of that conversation but I remember what followed as we listened to songs from the Civil Rights Movement and explored how those songs functioned to create hope in times of terror.
It is such a time as this, isn’t it? Everything feels terrifying and no one really feels like they can do enough to resist the powers of evil at work in the world right now. We are having some big feelings as we try to sort through this mess and I’m finding that we need an anthem. We need a song to carry us. We need music that will allow us to find a rhythm into the living of these days. Not one song but a whole anthology of music that will inspire us when we need it most, which for me are moments of prayer.
These are songs I’m using to pray right now, songs that have a repetition and rhythm that feels like chant so that I can get out of my own head and remember what matters. Well, most of these songs are like that. Not all of them fit into this description. I like chant though. That repetition allows me to let go and find that hidden hope. It’s a small collection but I hope we’ll add to it as we sing our way into this certain faith resists fascism and despair.
Batya Levine is a Jewish song leader who sings their way into liberation. This is just one example of their gifts. Find more of their talents on Bandcamp and there are several on the playlist below because she’s a new favorite to me.
Aly Halpert is another queer Jewish song leader who believes songs can create another world. This might be my favorite song right now and has begun more than one of my spiritual direction sessions. Find more of her gifts on her website. She’s another one of my current favorites and this one was shared with me by my spiritual director. I have since shared it with a few of my directees because it is just that good.
You can find all of these songs on — and a few others that I’ve gathered on this Spotify playlist. I hope it’s a blessing to you as you find your way through the uncertainty of this moment in time.
How does song feel like prayer to you? What kinds of songs inspire you the most? What songs would you add to this growing anthology for the resistance?
What to do with uncertainty: Because I’m not sure that this an answer but we need more space to explore what feels so confusing.
How not to freak out: Which can happen with confusion. Just sayin.
Singing into glory: Feel free to swap out the song but this lectionary divina practice with song might be what your soul needs to explore the confusion of the moment right now.
Wandering through the unknown: And the balm of children’s books.
The Poor People’s Campaign is still committed to creating art for the revolution and even have a published songbook now. You can find that songbook here.
