• Media
    • Photos for Download
    • Posters for Download
    • Videos
    • News Articles & Interviews
    • Quotes
    • Past Presenters & School Hosts
    • Past Newsletters
  • Contact
  • en English
    ar العربيةzh-CN 简体中文en Englishfr Françaisde Deutschit Italianopt Portuguêses Españolsw Kiswahilizu Zulu
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • About Elise Witt
    • Biography
    • Collaborative Projects
    • The Global Village Project
    • Elise’s Resume
    • Artist Statement
    • Organizational Affiliations
  • Singing Workshops
  • Calendar
  • Choral Music
    • EWCS Choral Music
    • EWCS Choral Ensembles
    • Arranger & Composer Notes
  • Music Shop
    • Elise’s Recordings
    • All Singing: The Elise Witt Songbook
    • Elise’s Music on Film
    • Elise as Guest
    • Elise Recommends
  • Shopping Cart

Elise Witt

Home » GVP Concert @ Decatur LibraryApril 24 2018

GVP Concert @ Decatur Library
April 24 2018

April 15, 2018 By Elise Witt

15 Apr
GVP Concert

PROGRAM

1) Global Village Song (All)

Global Village Project Song

Posted: June 23, 2016

Words by Ricky Jacobs / Music: Eaton Boating Song (England)

We come from many countries,
We work for a better world
We learn, we play, we study,
We’re the Global Village girls

CHORUS: We work for a world that’s peaceful,
A world that is never cruel
Where nations can live together,
We’re the Global Village school

This world is full of warfare,
Lands that are begging for peace
We’re hoping to feed the hungry,
And we pray that wars will cease

CHORUS

2017 GVP Song:

https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GVP-Song-2017.mp3

 


 

 

 

 

 

2) I Wanna Walk A Mile In Your Shoes (All)

I Wanna Walk A Mile In Your Shoes

Posted: June 23, 2016

by Jan Nigro

© Jamination Music BMI

I WANNA WALK A MILE IN YOUR SHOES

CHORUS:

I wanna walk a mile in your shoes

I wanna walk a mile in your shoes

I wanna know what you’re thinking, what you’re feeling

So I really wanna walk / a mile in your shoes

VERSE 1:

Remember the fight that we had?

Why did we both have to lose?

It’s because we both walked away mad

Instead of walking a mile in each other’s shoes ~ CHORUS

VERSE 2:

We hear how the world is a mess

Every time we turn on the news

But all countries could have happiness

If they were walking a mile in each other’s shoes ~ CHORUS

VERSE 3:

Temperatures start to cool down

A frown turns into a smile

Oh, anger just cannot be found

When we’re wearing those shoes and walking that mile ~ CHORUS

2017 F1:

https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/i-Wanna-Walk-A-Mile-In-Your-Shoes-F1.mp3

3) Don't Give Up (All)

Don’t Give Up

Posted: May 21, 2017

© Becky Reardon
www.BeckyReardonMusic.com

DON’T GIVE UP

Don’t give up.
Give a little kindness to yourself.

Put a little flex,
Put a little flex in your plan.

Find another way like a river.
Flow, may you never stop flowing.

 

Dont-Give-Up-Becky-Reardon

4) I Am Creative (F1)

I Am Creative

Posted: August 29, 2017

by Terry Garthwaite

© nJoy Music BMI

Recorded on the CD “Affirhythms”

http://www.TerryGarthwaite.com

I AM CREATIVE

I am creative

I use imagination

My eyes are open

I am a pioneer

I travel in the wilderness of my art

I travel by the willingness of my heart

5) I Need A Waiter (F1)

I Need A Waiter

Posted: June 23, 2016

Composer unknown

I Need A Waiter

I need a waiter
With some water
I need a waiter with some water
for my daughter
I need a waiter with some water,
with some water for my daughter
So my daughter doesn’t die of thirst

i-need-a-waiter
6) Short and Long Vowels (F1)

Short & Long Vowels

Posted: March 19, 2018

by Elise Witt with GVP Form 1 – Hafsa, Fainess, Fatima, Riziki, Reem, Shahad, Sidra, Mu Doh, Khin Moe Aye, Khin Khin Moo, Nour K. Solaf, Aimee, Hala S., Misha

Feb / Mar 2018
© Non Si Sa Mai Music ASCAP

SHORT & LONG VOWELS

Let’s start at the very beginning
A very good place to start
When we count we begin with 1-2-3-4-5
When we say our English vowels, it’s A – E – I – O – U
I’d really like to say them with you A – E – I – O – U

There are short vowels and l-o-n-g vowels
I know them well
Just like in music
Listen, and you can tell

Staccato, staccato, staccato is short! Ha ha ha ha ha!

Short A is a, like apple
Short E is e, like eggs
Short I is i, like iguana
Short O is o, like octopus
Short U is u, like umbrella

Legato… Legato… Legato is looooooooong
Long vowels say their name
A-E-I-O-U

Long A is aaaa, like apron
Long E is eeee, like equals
Long I is iiiii, like ice cream
Long O is ooooo, like ocean `
Long U is uuuuu, like ukulele

There are short vowels and long vowels
We know them well
Just like in Music
We hope that you can tell!

A-E-I-O-U

7) Punctuation Song (F2)

Punctuation Song

Posted: March 19, 2018

by Elise Witt w/GVP Form 2 – Nor, Sara A. Dalaa, Bimala, Ghina, Sarmila, Suzan, Sham, Bayan, Sandya, Aya, Andrea, Mapendo, Sergine, Hala A., Furaha
~ Feb./ Mar. 2017 ~
© Non Si Sa Mai Music ASCAP

PUNCTUATION SONG

CHORUS:

Pontuação ~ That is Portuguese! Pontuação ~ Punctuation, Punctuation
It helps my words make sense
It helps me when I write, It makes my ideas clear
It helps me when I read, Now I understand you, dear!

COMMA (Aya, Halaa, Mapendo)
Comma, Comma, it’s job is to rest
Resting is what a Comma does best
It looks like a banana and a half moon, too
It’s a part of grammar that can really help you!

PERIOD (Sarmila, Furaha, Ghina)
A period’s shape reminds me of a penny
It’s like funny money
It looks like apple pie with just one eye
A period’s job is to stop with a pop

QUOTATION MARKS (Sara, Bimala, Dalaa)
Quotation Marks are rabbit ears
Quotation Marks are twins
Quotation Marks surround the talking
Quotation Marks are fingers in the air

QUESTION MARK (Suzan, Sham, Bayan)
Question Mark helps my grandma to walk
Question Mark, I use it in my work
It looks like a half moon with a shiny star
Just add a stick to make a Question Mark
It comes on the end of my question
It makes my voice go up
Sometimes a Question can be fun or serious
You might like it, or not!

EXCLAMATION MARK (Sandhya, Andrea, Nor)
Exclamation Mark is loud when you feel proud
It’s exciting like a guest you’re inviting
Exclamation Mark makes anything a surprise party!
We are all Exclamation Mark girls!

CHORUS:

Pontuação ~ That is Portuguese! Pontuação ~ Punctuation, Punctuation
It helps my words make sense
It helps me when I write, It makes my ideas clear
It helps me when I read, Now I understand you, dear!

8) Keep Your Eyes on the Prize (F2)

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize (Hold On)

Posted: April 15, 2018

Folk Song from African American tradition / Civil Rights Movement based on “Hold On” “Keep Your Hand on the Plow”

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON

CHORUS:
Hold on (Hold on)
Hold on (Hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Lots of good people bound in jail, Have no money for to go their bail

The very moment we thought we were lost, The dungeon shook and the chains fell off

Freedom’s name is mighty sweet, Very soon we’re gonna meet

The very best thing that we did right, Was the day we saw the light

I”m gonna ride on the wings of sound, Take my love from town to town

 

From Wikipedia:

“Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” is a folk song that became influential during the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. It is based on the traditional song, “Gospel Plow,” also known as “Hold On,” “Keep Your Hand on the Plow,” and various permutations thereof.

The earliest documented reference to the older song, “Gospel Plow,” is in Alan Lomax’s 1949 book “Our Singing Country.”[1] The book references a 1937 recording by Elihu Trusty of Paintsville, Kentucky which is in the Library of Congress (Ref No .1397 A1). Lomax’s references for Gospel Plow also cite two earlier works. The first is from English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians [2] published in 1917, indicating that Gospel Plow dates from at least the early twentieth century. The second reference is to a 1928 book, American Negro Folk-Songs,[3] which shows an African-American heritage for the original song.

The lyrics to the modern Civil Rights version of the song, “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” are often attributed to Alice Wine from Johns Island, South Carolina.[4]Mrs. Wine was a member of the Moving Star Hall and the Progressive Club on Johns Island. The book Ain’t You Got the Right to the Tree of Life by Guy and Candie Carawan.[5] documents songs of the Moving Star Hall and the lives of African Americans on Johns Island in the early sixties.

It is doubtful that Mrs. Wine actually composed the lyrics herself. More likely she had heard the revised refrain and variations on the verses of the older song from the congregation at the praise hall. The leading “Paul and Silas” stanzas in the modern “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” lyrics were already present in some versions of the older “Keep Your Hand on the Plow.” Our Singing Country[1] shows these lyrics were already in use in 1949 and before. Odetta used them in her 1960 Carnegie Hall appearance and recording. Mrs Wine is credited by Candie Carawan only with having passed onto Guy Carawan the revision of the title from “Keep Your Hand on the Plow” to “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.”[6]

Lyrics for traditional American folk songs and African-American spirituals are often changed, improvised and traded between songs by different artists and at different performances. This was and is especially true in the call and response of African American religious music. For example, Mahalia Jackson, in her 1958 performance of “Keep Your Hand on the Plow”, begins with the couplet “Mary had three links of chain, Every link bearin’ Jesus name.” Bob Dylan also sings these lyrics in his upbeat version of “Gospel Plow.” Carl Sandburg, in his 1927 book The American Songbag,[7] attributes these lyrics to yet another song entirely, “Mary Wore Three Links of Chain.” Modern choral arrangements of this song sound entirely different from either the Eyes-Prize or Hand-Plow songs.[8]Both Sandberg in the preface to his book and folk singer Pete Seeger in the opening remarks to his Carnegie Hall performance of “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” note the malleability of American and African-American folk music. No one artist can be historically credited with “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.”

9) Circles (F3)

Circles

Posted: March 19, 2018

by Elise Witt w/GVP Form 3 – Sam, Mary, Esther, Mue Su, Kadra, Immaculate,
Nawl Bel, Akin, Shamimah, Rachel, Ayat, Rohksaad, Waw Kyew
~ Mar. 2018 ~
© Non Si Sa Mai Music ASCAP

CIRCLES

CHORUS
Around us, inside us
Circles everywhere
In our bodies, in nature
In the things that we all share
Circles just keep going ‘round
Circles never end
We’ll always be together
With our GVP friends

Walk across the circle
Make a straight line
Be sure and cross the middle
The Diameter’s what you’ll find!

Start in the middle of the circle
Walk out to the edge
You’re walking a Radius
Like a pie or pizza wedge

Now walk all around the circle
Step on every single inch
You’re walking the Circumference
Try it, it’s a cinch!

If we all get together
And fill up this round space
We’re filling up the Area
And we each have a place

CHORUS

10) We Can All Be Leaders (F3)

We Can All Be Leaders

Posted: June 23, 2016

by Elise Witt &GVP students © Non Si Sa Mai Music ASCAP

 WE CAN ALL BE LEADERS

We celebrate the leadership of women all around the world   (2 x)

A leader is polite

She is a delight

She has love in her sight

And she stands a mighty height

A leader is non-violent

Her thoughts are independent

Sometimes she has to be

Resistant

A leader is brave

She knows how to behave

When it’s time to save

Her people

A leader is peaceful, & thoughtful, & helpful

A leader is graceful, & beautiful, & fanciful

A leader is grateful, sometimes she is fearful

But still, she stays strong

A leader is compassionate

She does not discriminate

She knows how to operate

We celebrate the leadership of women all around the world      (3 x)

11) Siya Hamba (Ensemble)

Siya Hamba

Posted: June 23, 2016

South African Freedom Song

Siya Hamba

Zulu – South Africa
Siya hamb’ eku-kha-nyen’ kwen-khos’
Siya hamba

English
We are marching in the light of love
We are marching, marching

Swahili
Twa tembe ya mwanga nimwa mungu
Twa tembe ya

Arabic
Neh na nimshi fe dawa ‘al houp
Neh na nimshi

Lingala
Tozo tambola na mwinda zambe
Tozo tambola

French
Nous marchons dans la lumiere d’amour
Nous marchons

Burmese
Chit eng nge lay toh doh twah cha sot la
Chit eng nge lay

 

https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Siya-Hamba.mp3

siya-hamba
12) Let Me Believe (Ensemble)

Let Me Believe

Posted: January 31, 2018

by Rebekka Goldsmith  www.RebekkaGoldsmith.com

LET ME BELIEVE THAT LOVE IS POSSIBLE

Let me believe that love is possible
Let me remember the courage in my soul

I wil raise my voice for justice

Let me remember the courage in my soul

I’ve got two feet to march with
I’ve got one mouth to sing with
I’ve got two ears to listen
I’ve got one heart to love with

Listen, listen, listen, listen

I will never give up, never give up, never give up!

https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Let-Me-Believe-Rebekka-Goldsmith.mp3 Let Me Believe

13) Turn the World Around (Ensemble)

Turn The World Around

Posted: September 27, 2016

by Harry Belafonte and Robert M. Freedman
© Clara Music Publishing Corp. ASCAP
A zipper song inspired by traditional story from Guinea

TURN THE WORLD AROUND

We come from the
Mountain
Living in the Mountain
Go back to the
Mountain
Turn the world

Water

Fire

Sky

Wo ho! So is life!
Ah ha! So is life!
Wo ho! So is life!
Ah ha! So is life!

Do you know who I am?
Do I know who you are?
Hearing one another clearly
Do we know who we are?

Water make the river
River wash the mountain
Fire make the sunlight
Turn the world around

We are of the Spirit
Living in the Spirit
Only can the Spirit
Turn the world around

2017 GVP Students:

https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Turn-The-World-Around.mp3

14) Shine On (All)

Shine On

Posted: June 23, 2016

By Terry Garthwaite
© nJoy Sounds BMI

SHINE ON

I can feel the heat
Like a ball of fire
Like the heavenly sound
Of a gospel choir
I can see the light
Like a brand new day
Like a bolt of lightning
It takes my breath away.

CHORUS:

Shine on, shine on, shine on
Shine a heavenly light
Shine on, shine on, shine on

I can hear the sound
Like a charmin’ bell
Like a soft reminder
All is well
I can feel the beat
Like the wings of a dove
Like a heart on fire
Full of the light of love

CHORUS

BRIDGE:

Burnin’ bright, making day from night
It’s such a welcome sight, here comes the light
Here comes the light, here comes the sun
Here comes the heat–this is heaven!

CHORUS

Shine On


15) Salaam Alaikum (All)

Salaam Alaikum

Posted: June 23, 2016

© Harris J

Sala’am Alaikum

You can try and turn off the sun
I’m still going to shine away, yeah
And tell everyone
We’re having some fun today

You can go wherever you wanna
And do whatever you like
Let’s just have a real good time

Assalamu Alaikum, Alaikum yeah (4x)

I just want to spread love and peace
And all of my happiness
To everyone that I meet
‘Cause I’m feeling spectacular

I love it when we love one another
Give thanks everyday
For this life
Living with a smile on our face

Assalamu Alaikum, Alaikum yeah

Spread peace on the earth
Cherish the love that is around us
Spread peace on the earth
Treasure the love, let it surround us

Always be kind
Always remind one another
Peace on the earth every da-a-ay

1) Assalamu Alaikum, Alaikum yeah
2) Spread peace on the earth, cherish the love —
3) I love it when we love one another, yeah–

https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Salaam-Alaikum-Faded-1.mp3

Interview on National Public Radio US:
http://www.npr.org/2015/10/24/451456711/harris-j-pop-music-meets-islam

Official video:

ABOUT HARRIS J

Born in Chelsea in the heart of London, Harris J is a young British Muslim artist with Indian and Irish heritage signed to Awakening Records. At an early age, Harris’s natural talent for singing was evident. By the age of five, he began singing and performing in public, at school recitals and multi-faith gatherings. His mastery of classical Arabic recitation with tones and vocal techniques of Irish folk music create a distinctly rich blend of artistic talent.

Harris J is passionate about football. At the age of 12, Harris earned himself a place in the exclusive Elite Training Club at the Chelsea Academy, receiving expert coaching over several years at the training grounds of the Chelsea FC Premier League Side.
Having entered the social media powered Awakening Talent Contest in 2013 – in which multi platinum winning songwriter and artist Maher Zain was a judge – Harris J went on to win the competition and signed an exclusive record deal with Awakening Records.

In July 2015 Harris J graduated from the world renowned BRIT School of Performing Arts in London (alumni include Adele, Amy Winehouse and others). Harris J has performed in charity tours in the UK and at the Mandela tribute concert in South Africa. World Music Trends have identified Harris as “an artist who will take the global Islamic music scene by storm”.

Harris J considers himself a proud Muslim and a true Brit and is now looking forward to taking his new blend of faith inspired music to the world. His debut album is due to be released in late August 2015.

16) This Land is Your Land (All)

This Land Is Your Land

Posted: June 23, 2016

by Woody Guthrie

© Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc. & TRO-Ludlow Music, Inc. BMI

www.WoodyGuthrie.org

THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND

CHORUS:

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulfstream Wa-ters
This land was made for you and me

VERSE 1:

As I was walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway
I saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me

VERSE 2:

I roamed and rambled, and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me, a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me

VERSE 3:

There was a great high wall there that tried to stop me
There was a great big sign there says PRIVATE PROPERTY
But on the back side, it didn’t say nothing
That side was made for you and me

VERSE 4:

When the sun came shining, then I was strolling
And the wheat fields waving, and the dust clouds rolling
As the fog was lifting, a voice was chanting
This land was made for you and me

CHORUS:

Esta tierra es tuya, esta tierra es miya
Desde el horizonte hasta la otra orilla
Desde las montañas, costas, rio y valles
Esta tierra es para ti y para mi

VERSE 5:

One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple
By the Relief Office, I saw my people
As they stood there hungry, I stood there wondering
If this land was made for you and me

VERSE 6:

Nobody living can ever stop me
As I go walking that freedom highway
Nobody living can make me turn back
This land was made for you and me

2018 GVP Students @ Shabbat Shirah w/Congregation Bet Haverim
2017 GVP Students
2014 GVP Students

Filed Under: workshop-classes

Previous Post: « March-April, 2018
An Impromptu Glorious Chorus™
Next Post: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize (Hold On) »
Your workshop was totally inspiring!
Joanna
New noise theatre, new orleans lA
Elise teaches great ways to access your deepest, most authentic, most beautiful voice.
Leila
Atlanta, Ga
Elise is a master at guiding voices and opening hearts.
Chorus Manager, WomanSong
Asheville, NC
You don't know how much I needed exactly what you gathered and offered - musically and spiritually.
Lynn
Decatur, GA
You help create positive, transformative experiences for people of all ages.
Outreach Director, LEAF Lake Eden Arts Festival
Black Mountain, nc

Join Elise’s Newsletter

Be the first to know what is happening next!
Select list(s):

Thank you! We have emailed your confirmation, make sure you find it and confirm in order to be added to the list!

Created by Jessica Lily · Copyright © 2012–2023 Elise Witt · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy