The Pollen Nation : Bee-In Social

Welcome to the Choir! By now, I am sure that you have heard the arrangement of Troy Lush’s song, “Now is the Time”. I recorded and arranged much of that one in a 3 hour studio session on May 9 and what struck me the most was how much better it sounded when all of the parts were played together than when each part stood alone. It’s true, we are greater than the sum of our parts. I warn you, when you download your part so that you can learn it prior to our rehearsal—you will realize that I am like a bee, sacrificing my ego for the good of the hive. I invite you to use your musicality to adjust the obvious sharps and flats while you practice. It will be just fine, I promise.

As many of you know, I come from a musical family. My mother was one of nine children and the first six performed in a barbershop sextet throughout their lives. My mother always used to say, “It doesn’t matter what happened once we hit that chord!” She was talking about the power of music to unify our hearts and minds in the face of anything. That’s why I was inspired to create an opportunity for us to sing together at Grace Cathedral while we address some of the deeper socio-environmental concerns of our time. We’re not going to be the Vienna Boys Choir, but we’re going to have fun with the acoustics!

When I studied music with Yyese Barnwell of Sweet Honey and the Rock at Omega Institute this past summer, she would not let us take notes, read music or record anything in the class. She insisted that we must maintain our muscle for the oral tradition whereby songs are passed down through sharing. This piece comes to you in that spirit. While it may be challenging to be without musical notation, I say that the deep listening required to learn this song is part of our offering to the bees.

In harmony and joy,
Amira

If you would like to sing in the choir, contact amira@amiradiamond.com

"Now is the Time" (by Troy Lush)

(Click these links to listen in browser; CTRL-click these links to download MP3s directly to computer)

The full song:

Now Is The Time (full mix)

The parts:

Now Is The Time (low part)

Now Is The Time (mid part)

Now Is The Time (high part)

Download printable choir lyrics

Now is the Time (studio version)

Now is the Time (Lyrics):

Isn’t it time we sing out as one
This is the time it’s already begun

We’re no longer the ones who are waiting
We’re the ones that we’ve been waiting for
Living peacefully we’re ending all wars
Let your doves fly

Now is the time that we help the world be truly free
Now it the time that we celebrate our unity
Make up your mind to see heaven on earth a possibility

Now is the time
To open your wings
Come and let your light shine, let your heart sing

We’re no longer a world of strangers we are one world and one family
And whatever affects you affects me
Your need is mine

Now is the time that we help the world be truly free
Now it the time that we celebrate our unity
Make up your mind to see heaven on earth a possibility