Dedicated to Civil Rights pioneer Ella Baker, "Ella's Song" by Sweet Honey in the Rock founder Bernice Johnson Reagon is a powerful song of courage and struggle. "we who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes" Also from Bernice Johnson Reagon and Sweet Honey in the Rock, "We Are the Ones We Been Waiting For" written in tribute to the women of South Africa is a powerful and uplifting call for leadership and inner strength. It is especially appropriate as an audience participation number and recessional. "Greed" - From Bernice Johnson Reagon's sermon in music, we are confronted by the sin of greed in each of us. Recorded by Sweet Honey in the Rock, this song offers a humorous but astute assessment of our culture and institutions.

Songlist: We Are the Ones We Been Waiting For, Ella's Song, Greed

Long awaited, the 20 arrangements contained herein are a joyous testimony to the significance of this African-American female ensemble. Compiled and edited by Ysaye M Barnwell, whose bass register and poignant compositions are an integral component of the Sweet Honey character, the songbook also includes performance notes, a discography and several essays. The voice ranges vary, depending upon the arrangement, but are typically five part, and reach down into the bass clef, notated as SATB plus lead. Their songs are living and breathing entities, and the texture of their sound requires flexibility. As said of Sweet Honey in the foreword, by Harry Belafonte, "their melodies make the soul sing!"

Songlist: Breaths, Would You Harbor Me?, We Are..., Cum Ba Yah, Young and Positive, Inner Voices, Run, Denko, Fulani Chant, Dream Songs Of Love, Wodaabe Nights, Alunde, Stay, Prayer To The One, Goin' To See My Baby, Motherless Child, Ella's Song, Sometime, I Remember, I Believe, No More Auction Block

The CCW is recognized as one of the finest children's choral ensembles in the country, and comprises four performing ensembles, Treble Chorus, Bel Canto Chorus, Chamber Chorus and the 72-strong Concert Chorus. In all, 170 young mixed-voice singers, ages 9-17, who hail from many different communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, are members of the four choruses. The Chorus is directed by highly acclaimed and awarded (including Outstanding Arts Educator in the U.S.) Founder and Artistic Director Joan Gregoryk. Favorites among the 23 mostly accompanied songs are Brunner's "Jubilate Deo," Palestrina's "Salve Regina," Reger's "Maria Wiegenlied," Chilcott's "Hey! Now," Leavitt's "Ose Shalom," Hairston's "Mary's Little Boy Child," the world premier of Barnwell's "Discovered," Copland's "I Bought Me A Cat" and "Ching-Ring Chaw;" and the combined choruses with legendary Sweet Honey in the Rock, singing Barnwell's "Wanting Memories" and "We Are," Kahlil's "Fulani Chant" and Johnson Reagon's "Ella's Song." A wonderful collection from one of America's great children's choral ensembles

Songlist: Gaudete, Jubilate Deo, Salve Regina, Sussex Carol, There Is No Rose, Maria Wiegenlied ( The Virgin's Slumber Song), Deck the Halls in 7/8, Hey! Now, Ose Shalom, Mary's Little Boy Child, Silver Bells, Gloria Tibi from "Mass", St. Leopold Mass - Kyrie, St. Leopold Mass - Gloria, Discovered (World Premiere), Praise His Holy Name, Old American Songs- I Bought Me A Cat, Old American Songs- Simple Gifts, Old American Songs- Ching-Ring Chaw, Wanting Memories, Fulani Chant, We Are, Ella's Song

Breaths combines two albums originally released on vinyl. Good News was a live recording while We All...Everyone Of Us was created in the studio. They were issued in l981 and 1983 respectively. The singers at this time were Ysaye Maria Barnwell, Evelyn Maria Harris, Aisha Kahlil, Bernice Johnson Reagon and Yasmeen Bheti Williams. On it you will find the original recording of "Breaths" which is one of the most often covered Sweet Honey arrangements ever. Another memorable song is "Oughta Be A Woman" which has a story. Bernice Johnson Reagon talked about her mama to the great poet, June Jordan. Sometime later June sent her the poetry which are the lyrics of the song. Bernice notes, "I think she just about got it right." This disc compiles sixty seven minutes of music and is a grand introduction to the group, for it captures the breadth and depth of the Sweet Honey spirit in 19 songs.

Songlist: Breaths, Ella's Song, Oughts Be a Woman, Echo, Biko, Good News, We All Everyone of Us, More Than a Paycheck, How Long?, Alla That's All Right, But, Sometime, On Children, Listen to the Rhythm, I'm Goin' Stand, Battle for My Life, Study War No More, Chile Your Waters Run Red Through Soweto, If You Had Lived, Azanian Freedom Song

In the spring of 1975 Sweet Honey was performing at a folk festival in Chicago when they were approached by a man who asked if they wanted to make a record. They did. A year later Bruce Kaplan of Flying Fish Records did indeed release the first Sweet Honey record. For a dozen years and eight records Flying Fish recorded and produced the music of Sweet Honey In The Rock. Bruce died in 1992. This set is dedicated to his memory and legacy. Bernice Johnson Reagon compiled and produced a two disc collection from the Flying Fish years. Seventeen tracks on each of the discs and a fine historical booklet make this the item to obtain if you don't have those eight albums and wish a definitive overview of those years which now are being considered 'the early years.'

Songlist: Disc 1, Ella's Song, Wade In The Water, Denko, On Children, Echo, Joan Little, Beatitudes, Peace, Sitting On Top Of The World, More Than A Paycheck, Crying For Freedom In South Africa, They Are All Falling Around Me, Mae Frances, I'm Gon' Stand!!!, Feel Something Drawing Me On, In The Upper Room, Seven Principles, Disc 2, Testimony, Oughta Be A Woman, Fannie Lou Hamer, Meyango, Run Mourner Run, As Long As I Have Breath In My Body, No Images, Sometime, The Gift Of Love, Biko, My Way, and more