Living Life With a Purpose: Tim Sheard’s Solidarity Songs
We live in an era in which, from the White House on down, meanness has become normalized, disrespect has gained respectability, become normalized. It is a climate that feeds on itself, a climate the inhibits our ability to envision a different kind of world, inhibits our ability to act together to make that vision a reality. As we see news of bombs killing children in Gaza, families ripped apart by ICE agents, lives disrupted by layoffs, witness the needless suffering as rivers overfull and vaccines sit unused, it is easy to turn numb in despair, easy to give into a misdirected rage,
Music can provide an antidote, reminding us of who we can be, as anyone listening to Tim Sheard’s Solidarity Songs will discover. Tim, a retired nurse, long-time unionist, mystery writer and publishers of books by and for working people (Hard Ball Press) has turned his talents and values to music. Music which carry the same message as all forms of organizing: our power lies in understanding how our uniqueness binds us together.
As one picture is worth a thousand words so the lyrics from one of the album’s songs can best express its theme. Thus these verses from the album’s “I Saw a Little Bird:”
In the morning when I wake
And rise to meet the day
I know there will be trials to face
And debts to pay
I hope I will come upon a scene
That makes me smile,
That I may leave my blues behind
And walk a cheerful mile
Lyrics reminding us to take heart from the beauty and happiness we observe is no small matter, for a heart turned cold will never find the path needed to overcome war and oppression. Gentleness alive to the world is a source of strength needed to sustain resistance in everyday life.
Songs of anger, of outrage, songs that cry out the pain are necessary; yet so too are songs of love, joy, sadness. These touch the core of who we are when living in community, speak to what we seek and need if we are to create a life worth living for all.
Sheard’s lyrics are as varied as the life around us. “Will You Walk Along With Me,” tells of the love expressed in sharing a cup of coffee while talking of nothing important; “New Eyes,” provides a welcoming note to immigrants; “A Child of Mine,” an anti-war song tinged with sadness, which can’t help but turn our thoughts to children in all the lands where bombs are dropping. Then there are songs of work such as “Tradeswomen Build It For You,” or “Music Is Your Calling,” for what is more rewarding than having your aspirations and labor converge). Reflecting his own years of labor are Sheard’s “Nurse T.” and “A Nurses Lullaby.”
That tune on is reminiscent of Woody Guthrie’s “A Hobo’s Lullaby” which is appropriate as Tim’s music adheres to Woody’s commitment “ ... to sing songs that will prove to you that this is your world and that if it has hit you pretty hard and knocked you for a dozen loops, no matter what color, what size you are, how you are built, I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself and in your work.”
Underlying all the songs is the question of choice; how do we see ourselves and all those around us. That is a question of solidarity, a question those of us more than half-way through our journey in this life ought to ask ourselves – and it is a question those younger must confront at each fork in the road. “What Is the Life Worth Living,” asks:
Should I think just of myself
And work to gather endless wealth
And climb the ladder of success
On the backs of the oppressed
Should I crush my enemies and glory in their misery
Will I give orders, curse and shout?
Is that what it means, is that what it’s all about?
Should I lend a hand to those
Who walk down a dark and lonely road?
Give shelter to a stranger who has lost his way
And can’t get through?
In quiet moments may I see the treasure of my family?
Will I be rich in love or not?
Is that what it means? Is that what it’s all about?
The album itself clearly was a labor of love and, as with all labor, it was a collective effort. Tim is joined by vocalists and musicians Sabrina Rudden, Tracy Michelle, Brian Mason, Chris Price, Mason Emmert, Brad Appell, Eric Hart, and Luke Simons.
Solidarity Songs is available for purchase as an album ($25) or as a download ($9) from the New York City-based Mighty Rivers Collective -- musical theatre actors, musicians and composers “championing peace, social justice, and environmental healing.” For purchase information go to their website at: https://www.mightyriversmusic.com/.