15 Sep Breaths
A song to remember ancestors and our connection to nature.
Composer & Copyright
Poem by Birago Diop; Music by Ysaye Maria Barnwell © 1980
Recording
Inspiration Track by Sweet Honey in the Rock
Lyrics
Chorus:
Listen more often to things than to beings
Listen more often to things than to beings
Tis’ the ancestors’ breath
When the fire’s voice is heard
Tis’ the ancestor’s breath
In the voice of the water
Ah — wsh Ah — wsh
Those who have died have never, never left
The dead are not under the earth
They are in the rustling trees
They are in the groaning woods
They are in the crying grass
They are in the moaning rocks
The dead are not under the earth
Chorus
Those who have did have never, never left
The dead have a pact with the living
They are in the woman’s breast
They are in the wailing child
They are with us in our homes
They are with us in this crowd
Chorus
We played this sweet song at my brother’s funeral in 1983. It has carried me through many grieving moments.
Tomorrow, February 28, 2026 is former Sweet Honey in the Rock singer, Evelyn Harris’, memorial event at Hope Center for the Arts (Springfield, MA), For me, this song will come to mind, I am happier to think Evelyn’s voice will be heard in the trees, rivers, and all the voices in nature. This will help when I miss Evelyn, as it has with my brother.
This is good!