Reflections on 2/3/15 meeting and direction of GV

Hello everyone! :)

This past Tues. night (2/3) Global Voices resumed meeting. It was really fun. During the meeting we discussed the direction that GV should take this semester. The group seemed to prefer a more "informal" approach, rather than a more "formal" choir approach. With the informal approach we will be having fun singing along with diverse multicultural songs, but not work toward any kind of performance at this point. Some members requested more diverse songs, and familiar/popular songs from many different countries, as well as some English songs to help them practice their English. We decided that each person (if he/she desires) will sign up for a meeting where they will share their country/culture/language with the group, as well as their favorite songs. They will play recordings of the songs and will help us learn to sing them. We also decided to have a "potluck" social once a month, where we each bring in food from our country or in general to share with each other. I think this will help develop closer relationships and a more closely woven group. I'm excited to see what happens with GV this semester! :)

The potluck dates for this semester will be: 2/17, 3/17, and 4/14.

There is a kitchen near the room where we meet at the church, so we can use that space during our potluck socials. We can't use the stove, but there's probably a microwave. We should provide our own cups, plates, napkins, utensils, and serving spoons, etc. We can sign up before each potluck to organize who will bring what. I'm excited! :)

*Note: We will NOT be meeting on 3/10 (spring break) and 3/31 (I'm away). 4/28 is during finals week, so we will decide about this meeting later in the semester.*

This past week we sang the following songs (a review from last semester):

"We Are The World"
"Imagine"
"Stand By Me"
"Swimming To The Other Side"
"Die Gedanken Sind Frei" (a German song)

The last two are less familiar - so here are the recordings on youtube and the lyrics:

"Swimming to the Other Side" - sang by Pat Humphries:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCcQPDQfOL8

Lyrics:
 

{Refrain}

We are living 'neath the great Big Dipper

We are washed by the very same rain

We are swimming in the stream together

Some in power and some in pain

We can worship this ground we walk on

Cherishing the beings that we live beside

Loving spirits will live forever

We're all swimming to the other side

I am alone, and I am searching

Hungering for answers in my time

I am balanced at the brink of wisdom

I'm impatient to receive a sign

I move forward with my senses open

Imperfection, it be my crime

In humility I will listen

We're all swimming to the other side

{Repeat Refrain}

On this journey through thoughts and feelings

Binding intuition, my head, my heart

I am gathering the tools together

I'm preparing to do my part

All of those who have come before me

Band together and be my guide

Loving lessons that I will follow

We're all swimming to the other side

{Repeat Refrain}              

When we get there we'll discover

All of the gifts we've been given to share

Have been with us since life's beginning

And we never noticed they were there

We can balance at the brink of wisdom

Never recognizing that we've arrived

Loving spirits will live together

We're all swimming to the other side

{Repeat Refrain}

"Die Gedanken Sind Frei" - sang by Pete Seeger:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbwQXVcbkU0

Lyrics:

Die Gedanken Sind Frei Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten; sie fliehen vorbei wie naechtliche Schatten. Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jaieger erschiessen; es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei. Ich denk was ich will, und was mich begluecket, Doch alles in der Still, und wie es sich schicket. Mein Wunsch und Begehren kann niemand verwehren, es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei. Und sperrt man mich ein in finsteren Kerker, das alles sind rein vergebliche Werke; denn meine Gedanken zerreissen die Schranken und Mauern entzwei: Die Gedanken sind frei. Drum will ich auf immer den Sorgen entsagen und will mich auf nimmer mit Grillen mehr plagen. Man kann ja im Herzen stets lachen und scherzen und denken dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei.

My Thoughts Are Free Die Gedanken sind frei My thoughts freely flower., Die Gedanken sind frei My thoughts give me power. No scholar can map them, No hunter can trap them, No folk can deny: Die Gedanken sind frei! I think as I please, And this gives me pleasure., My conscience decrees, This right I must treasure; My thoughts will not cater To duke or dictator, No folk can deny:-- Die Gedanken sind frei! And if tyrants take me And throw me in prison, My thoughts will burst free, Like blossoms in season. Foundations will crumble, The structure will tumble, And free folk will cry: Die Gedanken sind frei! Neither trouble or pain Will ever touch me again. No good comes of fretting., My hope's in forgetting. Within myself still I can think as I will, But I laugh, do not cry: Die Gedanken sind frei!

*I look forward to meeting again on 2/10/15!*