Song: We All Need A Little Love

Music by: Una McCann

Notes: In this super-satisfying song, Una McCann stepped into the funk so we can all dig into a little more love in our lives -- not a bad thing to wish for filling our hearts. Doesn't matter what the regimes of the world are doing; we can invite a little more love into our hearts right now! Next week Una and I get to dive right into a conversation about the songwriting shift from singer-songwriter to community songs, how Una manages the energy of 300 singers every week, and more -- hope you can join us!

Songwriter Info:

Una McCann is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland where she works as a choir leader and songwriter. She has been leading groups in harmony since her school days and has been working with adult choirs for 15 years.

Una is a proud and active member of the UK Charity The Natural Voice Network, and works in line with the principle that we are all born to sing. She is passionate about the power of song and creativity to transform lives.

Song writing is a part of life that sustains and supports Una. She writes melodies and words that she needs to hear in that moment and is always delighted when they resonate with other people too.

In her spare time, Una enjoys running singing holidays and retreats.

Sharing Info: Una says: "Please sing these songs; they were born to be sung. If you make money through singing the songs and would like to support me in my work as a song carrier, please purchase songs through my website or drop me an email for more options."

Song Learning Time Stamps:

Start time of teaching: 00:03:16

Start time of reprise: 00:18:15

Links:

Website: www.unamccann.org

Facebook: Una McCann Music

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unamccann47/

Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor, SATB

Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share

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Song: The Reach

Words by: Wendell Berry

Music by: Malcolm Dalglish

Notes: I learned this beautiful round from the amazing Moira Smiley, who connected me with Malcolm Dalglish to request his permission to share on this podcast. I continue to be amazed by the seeds we sow when we befriend and tend each other, unfolding understanding and trust. It's not always easy to reach forward or back -- but these seeds we plant with each other open, even if the winter is long and icy! At least that's where this poem is taking me today. And let me tell you, I practiced deep love and care for all of you whose voices are comfortable in higher ranges than mine! I taught it where I'm comfy -- but I did the reprise where Malcolm actually set the sheet music (nice tenor/soprano range) -- so if you want to buy the sheet music from him and sing along with it, that's where you should head...

Songwriter Info: Malcolm Dalglish is a hammer dulcimer player and composer from Bloomington Indiana, whose many vocals celebrate a love of our natural world. He has set many poems by Kentucky author, and farmer, Wendell Berry.

Sharing Info: Please buy sheet music on Malcolm's website if you plan to share this song as a songleader.

Song Learning Time Stamps:

Start time of teaching: 00:02:50

Start time of reprise: 00:14:29

Links:

Malcolm's website: https://oooliticmusic.com/

Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, round with optional descant

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Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

The Sunday after this episode is released, February 15th, 2026, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us!

Lyrics ​& Links to the original episodes for the songs in this ribbon.

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33. There Is A Love

Words by Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker

Music by Elizabeth (Beth) Norton

There is a Love holding me; There is a Love holding all that I love;

There is a Love holding all; I rest in this love.

​

There is a Love holding us; There is a Love holding all that we love;

There is a Love holding all; We rest in this love.

210. In This House with MaMuse

By Karisha Longaker

In this house, we lead with love.

In this house, we lift each other up.

In this house, we learn to fly with the dove.

Oh, this is the house we've been dreaming of.

Oh, this is the house we've been dreaming of.

So come on over (come on over),

Welcome in (welcome in),

Come on over (come on over).

Let's be friends (let's be friends).

Come on over (come on over).

There is enough.

Oh, this is the house we've been dreaming of.

Oh, this is the house we've been dreaming of.

101. Sacred Breaking

By Hannah Jeffery

The only way to be here is to be constantly breaking open

How else do we make sense of this human experience?

Beauty, break me open

Tragedy, break me open

Humility, break me open

Love, crack open my heart

Heartbreak is our birthright

It's the only way to be here

Heartbreak is our birthright

It's the only way we can heal

158. Quiet At First

Music by Eileen Webb

Lyrics by Kai Skye

It's quiet at first,

this song of love

for all the living things.

But once you start to hear it,

it's quite impossible to pretend

there's something better

you could be doing.

178. My Body

By Alexandra Sarton Love

My body is fly

My body is beautiful

My body is bold

My body is mine

123. Arms of Love

By Alexa Sunshine Rose

Come now child, lay it down

Just breathe

Just be

Come be cradled in the arms of love

Just breathe, just be.

Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share

Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html