Alternate Activity 3: More Seeger Music
Part of Gather the Spirit
Activity time: 10 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Pete Seeger songs, and music player
- Newsprint, markers and tape
Preparation for Activity
- Select a medley of Pete Seeger songs about stewardship of the Earth and its resources. The CD Pete (Earth Music Productions, 1996) has several songs with water images: "The Water Is Wide," "Safely Down My Golden River," "Of Time and Rivers Flowing" and " River of My People ." Also meaningful in the context of Gather the Spirit is "Well May the World Go."
- Set up a music player.
- Post blank newsprint and set markers nearby.
Description of Activity
Gather participants to sit comfortably and listen to the music together. Engage the group to listen for phrases related to the fact that all life needs and must share Earth's waters. Or, ask the group to listen for phrases about stewardship. Invite participants to go to the newsprint and write any phrases that strike them, as they listen, and then return quietly to their seat.
Variation
Once you have listened to a few songs, or the newsprint has a good list of phrases, challenge the group to compose a new poem or song using the phrases they have listed.