The Ballads, Songs & Vignettes (BSV) Collection [Part 12]

Found in: Miscellany & Merriment, Neil Moore

In the BSV series, each video will have a description, written by Neil–some of them are brief and some are longer. To watch the introduction read the first installment in this series “The Ballads, Songs, & Vignettes Collection [Intro]”

Song #19: “Home”

This is a song about peacefulness and appreciation. For many of my youngest students they sometimes had not heard of the word ‘appreciation’, or, even if they knew the word, they often didn’t have much of a sense of its meaning. I loved having the opportunity to talk to children, in simple terms, about the nature of appreciation – for everything in their lives.

I also used this song as an opportunity for students to connect with the imagery of a peaceful place. As a child, mine was the beach that my entire family and I spent so, so much time at. This piece uses different imagery than my own experience, but connects in the same way. In that sense, this song, for me, is a prayer.

From a compositional perspective this is a simple pentatonic melody, played entirely on the black keys. In the second cycle I change it up and play a simple accompaniment, at half speed. I love it when Destiny sings at the top of her head-voice register. She has a sensitivity and tenderness that’s beautifully authentic.

A special thank you to all of the Simply Music Teachers around the world who give so much of themselves in their commitment to bringing music into the lives of others. And a huge thank you to all of our Simply Music students, in 112 countries around the world, who invest their time, patience and attention on expanding their creativity and self-expression.

HOME
Standing here, mountains rise,
Sunlight touches sky.
Water runs downstream,
Fishes jumping, wind is breathing.
Softly spoken breeze,
Green and golden trees.
Standing here, open eyes,
Nature calls me Home

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