One of the songs on my album, Fragile, is named after and highlights the poem, “Sic Vita" by William Stanley Braithwaite (1878-1962). His original poem was published in 1922 in "The Book of American Negro Poetry” and is now in the public domain. A friend introduced me to this text in a songwriting group and I was inspired to put it to music.
Sic Vita means “So this is life.” A person's life consists of a wide range of experiences. Certainly the joyful times are moments to share with others. But it is inevitable that moments of grief and sorrow will come to all of us as well. The beauty and tragedy each human experience is worthy of attention.
As I read more about Mr. Braithwaite, I am amazed at his accomplishments as an African American poet in the early 20th century. (More about William Stanley Braithwaite en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Stanley_Braithwaite) Because his poem is in the public domain, I am allowed to use his words in my song without licensing. However, I want to give back.
With a desire to honor Mr. Braithwaite and all he accomplished, I have searched for an organization that is currently helping Black Americans pursue, write and publish poetry. If you purchase my song Sic Vita today, I will donate the purchase amount to Torch Literary Arts in of Austin, TX. If you decide you’d like to purchase the whole album, I will increase the donation amount to $2.
Check out www.torchliteraryarts.org/about for more about the organization and their mission to publish and promote creative writing by Black women.
lyrics
Sic Vita
Lyrics by William Stanley Braithwaite (1878-1962)
Music by Jen Hawley
Heart free, hand free,
Blue above, brown under,
All the world to me
Is a place of wonder.
Sun shine, moon shine,
Stars, and winds a-blowing.
All into this heart of mine
Flowing, flowing, flowing!
Mind free, step free,
Days to follow after,
Joys of life sold to me
For the price of laughter.
Girl’s love, man’s love,
Love of work and duty,
Just a will of God’s to prove
Beauty, beauty, beauty!
credits
from Fragile,
released October 29, 2023
Jen Hawley (vocals, piano), Dave Hawley (guitars, organ, ukulele, banjo), Matt Williams (bass, percussion), Steve Widenhofer (drums, percussion), Jeremie Hamilton (violin)
Jen Hawley is a musician, songwriter and instructor at Startsong Studio in Germantown,
MD.
"It wasn't until my mid-twenties that I was inspired to write my own music. And the journey of sharing songs began. My hope is that my songs facilitate a connection with our own stories, with those around us, and with our Creator."...more
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