From time to time, we all need a little hope. Life challenges come our way. Things outside our control take a toll on our situation. Pain and suffering may become a part of our experience. There are times we can draw hope from within ourselves. At other moments, that hope is verbalized or shown by others. Sometimes it is embodied in a song much like in this Emily Dickinson poem.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of Me.– Emily Dickinson, c. 1861, Public domain
Hope in songs
What are those songs of hope? Like most music, that is a personal preference. Yet there are many around which we can discuss the topic of hope. Here is a small sample to consider singing and discussing. Select what is appropriate for your population and setting.
To make it easier to use, a Spotify is provided with the exception of those marked with an “*”.
- “Bridge over Troubled Water”
- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
- “High Hopes”
- “Hear Comes the Sun”
- “Imagine”
- “Still” (Ben Folds)*
- “Whispering Hope”
- “The Bare Necessities” From The Jungle Book
- “Hakuna Matata” From Lion King
- “I’ve Got A Dream” From Tangled
- “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” Song of the South
