Why ‘A Nest of Songs’?
Like a nest, a song is made up of many different materials. When I am in the woods, I feel as though I am in a nest. I feel loved, comforted, nourished. Surrounded by lichen, rootlets, twigs, moss, pine needles, spider webs, leaves, etc… just a few examples of nest materials. The songs I am sharing have hatched and grown from Nature’s nest.
A song being born is like an egg being pecked at from the inside by a creature who has been incubating for a while, in a nest that has been lovingly created. Songs hatch from the inside, but where do the songs actually begin? Where do they come from? Songs are gifts, but from where, from who?
What will the posts be about?
Most songs will be originals. Some will include details about flora or fauna. Others will simply be in honor of nature, or will have nature woven in.
Some songs, still incubating, will be written and recorded at home with only an instrument - guitar, ukulele, or percussion - and my voice. Others have already been or will be recorded professionally at Frog Hollow Studio .
Why write songs about nature?
Recently, I said to my husband: “There are so many f**king love songs. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good love song, but why aren’t there more love songs about nature?!” Shouldn’t we be bowing down and praying to nature? There are many cultures out there that do just that. And they sing their songs in honor of Mother Earth together. I hope these songs inspire you to sing along, to sing with others, to write your own songs and poems, and to connect with the natural world around you.
If I subscribe, what will I get?
Each month I will post two songs. Each post will contain the audio for a song I’ve recorded, lyrics of the song, a visual, and sometimes more if I have anything else to say.
You can unsubscribe easily at any time. No questions asked and no hard feelings.
I have decided to keep all songs and archives accessible to everyone. Much gratitude goes out to all of you who have become subscribers, especially paid subscribers. I put in a lot of time and thought to each post and having paid subscribers will help me to continue doing so. Thank you!
Background
Forever grateful graduate of the Maine Master Naturalist Program
Nature educator for two wonderful land trust organizations (Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust and Midcoast Conservancy)
Musician who plays and sings oldies-but-goodies music with elders at nursing homes
Singer-songwriter living in midcoast Maine
Other
Nest art, other art, and photos by Heather Hardy unless otherwise indicated.
