“Thank You, Tree” – the version I recorded with producer Joel Schwartz – has been out in the world for just over a month. It feels good to have this tune out in the world, and I’m glad so many people have been enjoying it!
Find it here: BandCamp, Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, Deezer, SoundCloud and YouTube.
This song is for SINGING! Though the recording we made is pretty darn amazing, my hope ultimately is that it supports you in learning the tune, so that you will in turn take the song out into the world with you, and have lots of fun creating new verses!
To support this idea, I held a little contest in June, where the winners won the chance to choose 3 new animals and I would then create a new video recording just for them. I wanted to share how simple and fun it is to play with “Thank You, Tree” – using the ideas of children and putting them into the song.
You can check out that video here:
Why might this be something to do? Here are a few reasons…
- It’s FUN!!! Guaranteed giggles. I promise!
- Children get to explore their voice- how high, low, loud, soft, fast, slow and SILLY can they be?!
- Children build confidence in using their voice. This confidence flows far beyond singing, and children will feel more empowered to use their voice in all facets of life.
- This song nurtures love and gratitude for the land. With young children (3-7 year olds especially), nurturing love for the land is the most powerful form of climate action we can offer that is developmentally appropriate.
When I sing this song with children, ALL ideas are welcome! Though I prompt them to consider the animals who might be local and might want to sing a gratitude song for the trees, I welcome all of their suggestions- from cheetahs to butterflies, turtles to flamingos. In doing so, I am meeting them where they are at and welcoming them alongside me as co-learners in nature. It might very well be that they think cheetahs are in the forest- and I trust that as time goes on, and we spend more and more time in the land, the land will teach the children which animals are there, as we will witness them firsthand. It might also be that the child simply adores cheetahs, or really wants to ROAR- and that is their joy and where their interest is at, so I welcome that, too!
I offer the same welcoming of children’s ideas about what animals sound like when they sing. It doesn’t matter if they are right or wrong- we are exploring our voices and building our knowledge together, and again, I trust we will learn more about the animals we share the land with as we spend more time in the land together.
For many, we are at the beginning of the summer months. I hope you find time for rest and for joyful connection in the land with those you hold close in your heart. Why don’t you bring “Thank You, Tree” along with you, too?! I would love to hear about the verses you create and sing together! Drop me a line anytime!
CLICK HERE for a free printable PDF of the lyrics and chords!
Happy singing, and thank you for listening to my words!
Tiiu
Land Heart Song 