Richmond Allied Voices Treble
Presents
Songwriters

Director: Erin Wind
Accompanist: Jacob Berg

Soprano I

Molly Bienstock
Dylan Burgess
Alex Heyden
Nicole Krause
Jaifi Lewis
Molly Sayles
Meg Taylor
Katherine Todd
Carley Toney
Court Zeitler

Soprano II

Taylor Bono
Nancy Chappell
Anna Creech
Erika Fleming
Aiden Hanrahan
Jennifer Law
Emily Maurer
Julianne McFarland
Julia Sauder
Jennifer Thomas

Welcome!

There is something magic about the marriage of poetry and music found in songwriting that communicates emotion unlike any other art form. A song, a really great song, can touch parts of your soul you never knew were there and speak truth to the things you never knew you needed to hear.

Today we share with you music by some of our favorite familiar songwriters and new songs we have discovered and come to love. We are extremely honored and excited to share the stage today with the brilliant local singer-songwriter Tyler Meacham as we accompany her on three of her original songs.

Thank you for sharing this time with us, and we hope you enjoy! 

Erin Wind

Let the River Run
Carly Simon, arr. Craig Hella Johnson, ad. Emily Crocker

Produced by Emily Maurer and Mary Klein. We dedicate this song to our little workin’ girl, Sweet Pea Maurer-Klein.

Dave Yohe, Bass; Brody Izod, Percussion

Coming to the edge, running on the water…

Let the river run,
Let all the dreamers wake the nation.
Come, the New Jerusalem.

Silver cities rise; the morning lights, the streets that meet them.
Sirens call them on with a song.

It's asking for the taking, trembling, shaking.
Oh, my heart is aching!
We're coming to the edge, running on the water,
Coming through the fog, your sons and daughters.

Let the river run,
Let all the dreamers wake the nation.
Come, the New Jerusalem.

You Mean Self
Tyler Meacham

Produced by Anna Creech

Tyler Meacham, soloist; Small Ensemble: Erika Fleming, Emma Grandas, Libby Gruner, Molly Sayles, Sarah Smith, Meg Taylor, Irina Wirt, Court Zeitler

Maybe I don't pray enough
Or I'm living a lie on the run.
I've kept it a secret, this love.
Like a memory, it's dangerous.

What's left of holy these days?
Couldn't find it in church or the state.
If I fall in line for my faith
When it's weaponized, no saving face

What I can't, I can't figure out
If you know the good word well,
When you say, you say God,
Why you mean, you mean self?

Preacher says God sets you free.
Guess that's convenient for me.
But what about the mother who grieves -
Her son politicized, his broken plea?

Oh my, oh my God
Have we gone too far?

Closer to Fine
Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, arr. Roger Emerson

Produced in honor of our amazing director, who brings us closer to fine every season!

Wende Sitcer, soloist; Wendy Sprout, guitar

I'm tryin' to tell you somethin' 'bout my life.
Maybe give me insight between black and white.
And the best thing you ever done for me is to
Help me take my life less seriously.
‘Cause it's only life after all.

Well, darkness has a hunger that's insatiable,
And lightness has a call that's hard to hear.
And I wrap my fear around me like a blanket.
I sailed my ship of safety 'til I sank it.
I'm crawling on your shores.

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains.
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains.
There's more than one answer to these questions pointing me in a crooked line.
And the less I seek my source for some definitive, the closer I am to fine.

I went to see the Doctor of Philosophy with a poster of Rasputin and a beard down to his knee.
He never did marry or see a B-grade movie.
He graded my performance,
He said he could see through me.
I spent four years prostrate to the higher mind, got my paper and I was free.

I stopped by the bar at 3 a.m. to seek solace in a bottle, or possibly a friend.
And I woke up with a headache like my head against a board.
Twice as cloudy as I'd been the night before.
And I went in seeking clarity.

Hope Lingers On
Lissa Schneckenburger, arr. Andrea Ramsey

Produced by Erin Wind in honor of the Treble Chorus members.

My mother, when love is gone, in our darkest hour, hope lingers on.
My father, when peace is gone, in our darkest hour, hope lingers on.
I will not hate and I will not fear, in our darkest hour, hope lingers here.

My sister, when equality’s gone, in our darkest hour, hope lingers on.
My brother, with tolerance gone, in our darkest hour, hope lingers on.
I will not hate and I will not fear, in our darkest hour, hope lingers here.

My love, when honor is gone, in our darkest hour, hope lingers on.
My country, when justice is gone, in our darkest hour, hope lingers on.
I will not hate and I will not fear, in our darkest hour, hope lingers here.

The Times They Are A-Changin’
Bob Dylan, arr. Adam Podd

Produced by Rob Hagan. BRAVISSIMA! Keep singing the change you are.

Erika Fleming, soloist

Come gather ’round people wherever you roam,
And admit that the waters around you have grown,
And accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you is worth saving,
And you better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone,
For the times they are a-changin’.

Come mothers and fathers throughout the land,
And don’t criticize what you can’t understand.
Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command.
Your old road is rapidly aging.
Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend your hand,
For the times they are a-changin’.

The line it is drawn, the curse it is cast.
The slow one now will later be fast.
As the present now will later be past,
The order is rapidly fading.
And the first one now will later be last,
For the times they are a-changin’.

Storm Comin’
Ruth Moody

Karen Welthy, Izzy Bencke, Jennifer Plate Johnson

When that storm comes, don't run for cover
Don't run from the coming storm, no there ain't no use in running

When that rain falls, let it wash away
Let it wash away, that falling rain, the tears and the troubles

When those lights flash, and you hear that thunder roar
Will you listen to that thunder roar and let your spirits soar

When that love calls, open up your door
You gotta stand on up and let it in, you gotta let love through your door

Orinoco Flow
Enya, text by Roma Ryan

Taylor Bono, Anna Creech, Erika Fleming, Nicole Krause, Jaifi Lewis, Julianne McFarland, Julia Sauder, Meg Taylor, Court Zeitler

Let me sail, let me sail, let the Orinoco flow
Let me reach, let me beach on the
Shores of Tripoli
Let me sail, let me sail, let me crash
Upon your shore
Let me reach, let me beach
Far beyond the Yellow Sea

Sail away, sail away, sail away

From Bissau to Palau in the shade of Avalon
From Fiji to Tiree and the Isles of Ebony
From Peru to Cebu feel the power of Babylon
From Bali to Cali far beneath the Coral Sea

Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, up, adieu

From the North to the South,
Ebudæ unto Khartoum
From the deep Sea of Clouds to the
Island of the Moon

Carry me on the waves to the lands
I've never been
Carry me on the waves to the lands
I've never seen
We can sail, we can sail with the Orinoco flow

We can steer, we can near with
Rob Dickins at the wheel
We can sigh, say goodbye,
Ross and his dependency

Helplessly Hoping
Steven Stills

Libby Gruner, Molly Sayles, Izzy Bencke

Helplessly hoping, her harlequin hovers nearby
Awaiting a word, gasping at glimpses of gentle true spirit
He runs, wishing he could fly, only to trip at the sound of good-bye

Wordlessly watching, he waits by the window and wonders at the empty place inside
Heartlessly helping himself to her bad dreams, he worries
Did he hear a good-bye? Or even hello?

They are one person. They are two alone. They are three together. They are for each other.
Stand by the stairway, you'll see something certain to tell you confusion has its cost
Love isn't lying, it's loose in a lady who lingers, saying she is lost and choking on hello

Wildflowers
Tom Petty

R. Lim, Alanna Milstein, Molly Sayles, Irina Wirt

You belong among the wildflowers.
You belong in a boat out at sea.
Sail away, kill off the hours,
You belong somewhere you feel free.

Run away, find you a lover.
Go away somewhere all bright and new.
I have seen no other who compares with you.

You belong among the wildflowers.
You belong in a boat out at sea.
You belong with your love on your arm.
You belong somewhere you feel free.

Run away, go find a lover.
Run away, let your heart be your guide.
You deserve the deepest of cover.
You belong in that home by and by.

You belong among the wildflowers.
You belong somewhere close to me.
Far away from your trouble and worry.
You belong somewhere you feel free.

Only in Sleep
Ēriks Ešenvalds, text by Sara Teasdale

Produced by RAVT chorus members in honor of Anna Creech, and in memory of her mom, Mary Creech.

Court Zeitler or Molly Sayles, soloist

Only in sleep I see their faces
Children I played with when I was a child,
Louise comes back with her brown hair braided,
Annie with ringlets warm and wild.

Only in sleep Time is forgotten:
What may have come to them, who can know?
Yet we played last night as long ago,
And the doll-house stood at the turn of the stair.

The years had not sharpened their smooth round faces,
I met their eyes and found them mild.
Do they, too, dream of me, I wonder,
And for them am I too a child?

October ’98
Tyler Meacham

Produced in honor of all the wonderful new members of RAVT!

Tyler Meacham, soloist

The summer we stopped sitting on the porch
Couldn’t keep my hopes up anymore
To go back to before
What am I waiting for?

Someone else’s tires on the drive
Keeping every shred of hope alive
That I’d be your first call
For anything at all

But oh, you left me stranded
On the curbside of my childhood, empty handed
And oh, where’s my friend at now

Wait for you to call me on the phone
Think by now I’m good at being alone
Does that make an easy mark?
Gritting my teeth too hard

Give it just a little time, I know
I’ll remember that October glow
Or fly too close to the sun, mmm
I could burn for anyone

But oh, you left me stranded
In the leather of the front seat, like you planned it
And oh, where’s my friend at now

Never mind the sudden slow of days
Or any part that cracked along the way
We’ll fix it all the same
Band-aid and lemonade

Cause oh, you left me stranded
We were just running through the backyard with abandon
And oh, where’s my friend at now

May I Suggest
Susan Werner, arr. Red Molly

Produced by friends Linda Smith and Nancy Chappell, fans of Susan Werner.

May I suggest? May I suggest to you?
May I suggest this is the best part of your life?
May I suggest? This time is blessed for you.
This time is blessed and shining almost blinding bright.
Just turn your head, and you'll begin to see
The thousand reasons that were just beyond your sight.
The reasons why, why I suggest to you.
Why I suggest this is the best part of your life.

There is a world that's been addressed to you.
Addressed to you, intended only for your eyes.
A secret world, like a treasure chest to you.
Of private scenes and brilliant dreams that mesmerize.
A tender lover's smile, a tiny baby's hands,
The million stars that fill the turning sky at night.
Oh, I suggest, yes, I suggest to you.
Yes, I suggest this is the best part of your life.

There is a hope that's been expressed in you.
The hope of seven generations, maybe more.
And this is the faith that they invest in you.
It's that you'll do one better than was done before.
And inside you know -- inside you understand --
Inside you know what's yours to finally set right.
And I suggest, yes, I suggest to you.
I suggest this is the best part of your life.

This is a song, comes from the west to you.
Comes from the west, comes from the slowly setting sun.
This is a song with a request of you,
To see how very short the endless days will run.
And when they're gone, and when the dark descends,
We'd give anything for one more hour of light.
May I suggest this is the best part of your life.

Crowded Table
Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, and Brandi Carlile, arr. Andrea Ramsey

Produced in honor of Bonnie Neighbour’s welcoming and accepting heart toward everyone. Your wife was privileged to hold your hand until you had to let go.

Aidan Hanrahan, soloist; Nan Ottenritter, violin

You can hold my hand when you need to let go.
I can be your mountain when you're feeling valley low.
I can be your streetlight showing you the way home,
If you can hold my hand when you need to let go.

I want a house with a crowded table, and a place by the fire for everyone.
Let us take on the world while we're young and able,
And bring us back together when the day is done.

If we want a garden, we're gonna have to sow the seed.
Plant a little happiness, let the roots run deep.
If it's love that we give, then it's love that we reap.
If we want a garden, we're gonna have to sow the seeds.

The door is always open, your picture's on my wall.
Everyone's a little broken, and everyone belongs.
Yeah, everyone belongs.

Together
Ziggy Alberts, arr. Katherine Todd

Molly Bienstock, Alanna Millstein, Katherine Todd, Wendy Sprout, Incy Teoh

I wonder why we seem to be
More concerned with our flags and nationalities
Oh than we are with unity or love
More concerned with our differences
In different gods above
And out of all these books that I forgot
Drawn way too harsh in worries of what I'm not
And how this feels when it comes to
Comes to being close to you

And I will fight for this
Stand for right over wrong as
Our old trees are burning down
And I will write for this country I adore
And we can come together now
And I will stand beside you won't let hate reside here
Lock hands together in the crowd
And we will fight for this country we adore
In hard times each of us know how
Throw fear aside regrowth can come along

And I wonder why we seem to be
More concerned with selling water to private companies
Oh then we are with the health of
The rivers where we're drinking from
The land that's free and young
And out of all that you are trying to stop
Free speech and thought protests against poor plots
Is how this feels when it comes to
That you are me and I am you

I know where we belong — We belong together
Throw fear aside regrowth can come along

Walk Out on the Water
Royal Canoe, arr. Geung Kroeker-Lee

Produced by Beth Wright in memory of Margie Duncan, who modeled faith, joy, and perseverance.

Dave Yohe, Bass; Brody Izod, Percussion

Still got a ticket to play, I won't be walking away.
Feel all the weight of the world.
I won't get another one, won't get another one,
Won't get another one, won't get.

Will I be singing hallelujah when I walk out on the water?
I'm not going under.
I own the space that l occupy.
Oh, oh hallelujah, climb up through the trees.
I'm strong enough to breathe.
I’ll grow my wings like a butterfly.

Everything’s happening the way I want.
Is everything happening the way I want?

I woke up alone on the shore.
The sun had fought through my eyes.
Wondering what all this is for.
Is it for you?

Phone stuck, hung up, I never hear what you say you're saying.
Line cut when the door shut, I don't know why I'm strayin’.

Dream House
Tyler Meacham

RAV Treble thanks Tyler Meacham for sharing her music and dedicates this song in memory of Patricia Elaine “Lanie” Taylor.

Tyler Meacham, soloist; Small Ensemble: Libby Gruner, Colleen Miller, Molly Sayles, Meg Taylor, Katherine Todd, Court Zeitler

I think I found my dream house, but someone else got to it first.
Kinda funny how that works.

Up the old brick walkway, to the pool house in the rear.
I can see my life right here.
There’s a garden, and great big kitchen, and the walls so thick with history.
They try to steal it.
All I want is to lock myself away with you.
If only dreams came true.

I think I like my hometown, but I can’t find a place to land where the ceiling’s high enough to stand.
But I’d like to root down where the sunlight takes her turn,
And a basement down below to do my work.
In the hallway, hang up all your pictures.
All the moments I forgot to smile but captured in time.
All I want is to spend another night with you.
If only dreams came true.

I try to run the numbers — what could I afford to keep or to lose?
Time doesn’t want to love you, all I know is that I do.

I think I found my dream house, but the walls are caving in.
Like a project that won’t end.

But there’s a garden, and a great big kitchen, and the walls so full of memories.
You can’t unfeel it.
All I want is to spend another life with you.
If only dreams came true.

Bridge Over Troubled Water
Paul Simon, arr. Kirby Shaw

Produced by Gloria Taylor in loving memory of my sister, Lynda Taylor Adams.

Emma Grandas and Molly Bienstock, soloists

I’ll be your bridge o’er troubled water,
When you’re down,
I will carry you like a bridge o’er troubled water,
I will lay me down.

When you're weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I'm on your side.
Oh, when times get rough and friends just can't be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down.

When you're down and out,
When you're on the street, my Lord,
When evening falls so hard I will comfort you.
I'll take your part.
Oh, when darkness comes and pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

Sail on, silver girl, sail on by.
Your time has come to shine.
All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine.
Oh, if you need a friend, look around,
I'm sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.

We are grateful to the following for their assistance:

Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, rehearsal space

Michael Lafayette, 5th Section

Wendy Sprout, Music Librarian

Julia Sauder, set design

Lizzy Nolin, graphic design

Anna Creech, program layout

Christopher Reynolds, program printing