Charles Lawrence Music: I Send A Cry

LISTEN TO THE BEAT OF MY HEART

RETURN TO THE EARTH

GAIA

I SEND A CRY

SING YOUR OWN SONG

PACCHA MAMA

RHEA

BEAT OF MY HEART

Charles Lawrence writes:

An invited RETURN, returning to an effort of mine from 30 years ago. I send a CRY. When This One’s life had been swept up by voices telling him where to go — a Blackfoot Elder speaking of a vision where I was to go to Hopi, a place I had never considered as interesting.. and more!

All along the way.. spontaneous birthing of a NEW CRY! And, Joseph Campbell urging This One to follow that Vision! Something is ever lurking.

These songs perpetually morph as they are Living Beings.. they have been sung in South Africa, South America, the Arctic Circle in Northern Finland, throughout Turtle Island, Bermuda — sung in Ceremony and concert. Sung with huge heartfelt passion and joy.. for LIFE!

I Send A Cry Is About Listening!

The process leading to these recorded songs began a long time ago. The every day ways of people required intending, listening, preparing and expressing. The guidance of the descendants of the First Peoples of the Americas gave me access to and a deepening relationship with an inner facility to bring forth songs whether on a plane 30,000 feet above the earth, on the Montana dance ground, or as the sun appeared over the Atlantic Ocean at the Rio Earth Summit. Some trickled, some burst forth full blown. These cries are from a place where a voice that hears and knows sends forth.

About the Songs

LISTEN TO THE BEAT OF MY HEART: The song spontaneously birthed itself at 30,000 feet on the way to teach at Life Arts Center in Salt Lake City, UT. If recalling correctly, in one week, 1100 young ones from Salt Lake schools first heard this song. Thirty-plus years later, I learned from many who were present in those days, how deeply this song informed early relationship with Mother Earth!

RETURN TO THE EARTH: While singing this song in Rio at the third Earth Summit in 1992, the head of the Jain Order — a resident with many Indigenous peoples at a month-long encampment just south of Rio — remarked how deeply he felt this invitation.

GAIA: During a period of social unrest in NYC, my NY Council was preparing a cry to the Mother Spirit of the City of New York held in Central Park. The NY Council determined to make a statement, an open invitation as a display of welcome to everyone who came along. Late into the darkened night there in Central Park we gathered, and many joined us! The level of JOY and connection was strong and life-enhancing.

I SEND A CRY: While at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, my allotted time to fire sit was from 6-8 am every morning for one month. On the last morning as I sat there with the fire and the sun returning, the Brazilian skyline turned from darkest indigo to a totally new day. Dozens of birds landed on the trees surrounding the ceremonial space, and seemed to bring the song to me, and a new CRY emerged!

SING YOUR OWN SONG: Several hundred of the original AHO family members caravanned to Montana to dance for the Summer Solstice. Hopi Elder Carolyn Tawangyawma as usual was decked out in her radiant regalia — rattle and Eagle feathers in hand. This song burst forth and began to reveal itself. Carolyn slipped into a trance state and danced for seemingly dozens of times around the Circle. She was entranced, and dozens danced with and behind her. Magic!

PACCHA MAMMA (EARTH MOTHER — QUECHUA): The trek along the Inca Trail at the Paccha Mama Altar stone in Macchu Picchu, Peru, had been arduous with cold, snow and relationship issues abounding. In spite of it, the friendships with our Andean sherpas had been strengthening all along the way. The last morning, they suddenly decided to sing and dance for us. As we came around the last twist in the Inca Trail, there was this ancient citadel glistening before us. As if pulled directly to that great altar of our Mother, this song merrily burst forth.

RHEA:  One morning a call from the Women’s Lodge in Montana came in with the inquiry, “Who is Rhea?” For several weeks during the Women’s weekly sweat lodge, the name kept coming up. Joe Campbell’s mythology books swiftly connected This One with Rhea and her mythic role in creating Human Culture. Rhea was a character in Greek mythology, the Titaness daughter of the earth goddess Gaia and the sky god Uranus. Obviously influenced by what I was learning from elders, from Musqueam, Lakota, and others, the layerings were quite evident. The essential CRY to BE free to BE who one truly IS!

Hands up in praise and appreciation to those who helped this manifestation

DENNIS YERRY: Producer, vocals, keyboards, drum, orchestrations and total commitment to seeing through the effort

JOAN HENRY: Vocals, percussion, all other sounds and voices

PETER ROBERTSON: Being so present, and coming forth with such fine technical assistance — recorded at Nevessa Productions, Saugerties, NY

GUS MANCINI: Gentle presence and the exquisite gems of offerings and appreciation

ERIC HOPE: Visionary eye and fine skill as cover artist

FRITZ KLEIN AND C.I.C.A.: The believing in, nurturing and supporting of the work.

Special Thanks to All My Relations, especially

CAROLYN TAWANGYAWMA: Traditional Hopi Elder — “Singing and dancing for your life is very important. It keeps you strong, vital, connected to Mother Earth”.

EDNA STOGAN: Coast Salish Spiritual Elder, Musqueam Band  — “Louder, Charles, louder” (when the cry first began to be awakened)

VINCENT STOGAN: Coast Salish Spiritual Elder, Musqueam Band  — “When you’ve done your morning bathing, there in the dark before the first light, Pray, Meditate and Listen for the songs. They are floating above the tops of the trees.”

TWYLA NITSCH: Seneca Elder — “Music has always been the celebration of life!”