A Song to Sing, A Life to Live Reflections on Music as Spiritual Practice

by Saliers, Don; Saliers, Emily

• ISBN13: 9780787983772
• ISBN10: 0787983772
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-14
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

In this rich exploration of music, authors Don and Emily Saliers interweave their own stories as well as those of others to reflect on the what, the how, and the why of music as a key aspect of spirituality in our lives. As an Indigo Girl, folk-rock singer-songwriter, Emily performs in primarily secular settings, while her father, Don - composer, cantor, and church musician - writes and arranges for church congregations. Their audiences may differ but both father and daughter understand the profound spirituality of music and have personally witnessed how their music brings healing to people no matter what the setting or circumstance. A Song to Sing, A Life to Live bridges two generations, two approaches to spirituality, and two genres of music - the music of Saturday night and Sunday morning. Don and Emily Saliers reflect on such topics as music and justice, music and grief, music and delight, and music and hope. They open the way for those who seek to embrace new spiritual practices by creating music, sharing music, and developing their musical skills as a spiritual practice.

Author Biography

Don Saliers is a professor of theology and worship at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and the author of nine books.

Emily Saliers is a member of the Indigo Girls, an award-winning folk-rock duo known for their vibrant music and social activism.

Table of Contents

Editor's Foreword	ix
Preface	xiii
Acknowledgments	xix
Chapter 1 Tracing Our Songlines	1	(18)
Chapter 2 A Sound Spirituality	19	(20)
Chapter 3 My Life Flows On in Endless Song	39	(16)
Chapter 4 Do You Hear What I Hear?	55	(20)
Chapter 5 Becoming Who We Are Through Music	75	(22)
Chapter 6 Music Divides Us	97	(18)
Chapter 7 Singing Our Sorrow	115	(18)
Chapter 8 Sing Justice, Sing Freedom	133	(20)
Chapter 9 Saturday Night and Sunday Morning	153	(16)
Chapter 10 Music and the Search for God	169	(14)
References	183	(10)
The Authors	193	(2)
Index	195