Musicians present hymns and camp songs

Singing welcoming and closing songs, LaRae Wiley of the Salish School of Spokane opened the Eastern Washington Legislative Conference on Jan. 31 saying that "when we gather, we sing as a way to honor each other and the work we will do."

In addition to the musical opening for the interfaith gathering, a workshop focused on the power of music and songs in advocacy movements, related to the theme, "We Shall Overcome: Building the Beloved Community Today."

Jadrian Tarver, music professor at Gonzaga University, invited those gathered to begin with singing together "This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine" as a song that he said was about spreading justice.

"Remember that you are the light when darkness overtakes," he said, inviting participants to clap, rock and sway if the spirit allows.

"This Little Light of Mine" is a Black spiritual that was often sung during the civil rights movement, Jadrian said.

Verne Windham, music director at Westminster United Church of Christ (UCC), said many hymns link faith and justice and invite singers both to be "agents of joyful rebellion" and to call out to God when "their soul is sore and troubled."

 Many hymns deal with issues of current times, such as ones by Ben Brody, composer and head of Whitworth's music department, who accompanied Verne. Before singing one of those hymns, "Gracious Gardener of Creation," Verne said the first verse speaks of God as the creator, the second asks, "what have we done to creation" and the third verse calls for reconciliation: "God, unite us until we make creation whole."

John Hubbe, who has led singing for 30 years at N-Sid-Sen, the UCC camp and retreat center on Lake Coeur d'Alene, quoted a Sept. 22 YouTube interview with Joan Baez, who said social change cannot happen until somebody is willing to take a risk, and she is hopeful because there are many people taking risks now.

Recalling the movement in the 1960s, she said, "We had the glue. I don't know how you create it." Then she added, "If we're not going to find the glue in the politicians then maybe we'll find it in the comedians."

John also mentioned a 2007 PBS documentary on "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song," telling of Pete meeting Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957 and singing, "We Shall Overcome."

John then sang a song with lyrics by Philip Labes, "It's the Guns," expressing Philip's heartbreak and exasperation about the ongoing gun violence today.

Janet Farness of the Raging Grannies told how the group uses humor and songs to make people think about civil rights, education, poverty and peace.

"Music has power to change minds," she said. "In the tradition of wise women elders, Spokane's Raging Grannies raise awareness of human rights, gender, equity, education, democracy, racial equality, environmental health, poverty, peace and the issues of the day. We keep in step with current issues and participate in social action."

Pointing out that a group of grannies is called a "gaggle," the grannies sang a song, "Gaggle against Hate," calling for "no more hate."

In an afternoon workshop, the musicians sang more songs and offered more insights on the power of songs.

Watch the video of the Opening Interfaith Music as Advocacy EWLC session - click here.