Kaitie says: This song came originally as “Thank You, John” when my friend and mentor John Argue passed away unexpectedly.I will forever be thankful to all he brought to his life, and all he brought to mine and the lives of so many others. I’ll post the original at the bottom of this page. That version of this song can go into a collection of songs I’ve created to honor specific individuals, but I wanted a version that resonated more in group moments. I believe John would agree withthe importance of that.
I’d like this song to have permission to be adapted for whomever or whatever you or your singing group need to thank. Thank you, [name] Thank you, [god/dess] Thank you, [event]
Several songleaders have a culture of thanking songs after singing them. I am not one of those songleaders – I prefer to let each moment after a song contain whatever it naturally contains, be it silence, applause, breath… However, I do really feel grateful to these songs and the medicine they carry, and will happily sing my gratitude in song. So I have recorded this song, and named it, as Thank You, Songs.
Video Below
Original: Thank You, John an improvised musical moment upon hearing of John Argue’s passing. What an incredible gift his life, service, and life’s work is.
Found this in drafts; it’s from the day I got the news that my friend and mentor John Argue had passed away. John created the Art of Movement for Parkinsons; he gave life and joy to my father and so many other friends in our community, and the work gave me opportunities to bond with my grandmother when I still lived in LA. John generously handed me an entire facet of my career. When I was struggling with a lasting concussion, he invited me over for some “gestalt theater” and helped me unearth sides of my personality via a simple monologue exercise… it’s led to deeper self understanding, lots of art, and much healing. He’d take me out to dinner and talk about life and work. He was far more gentle with me than I was with myself, and went to bat for me when I needed more time and space from my students, for the sake of my own healing. He gifted and gifted and gifted … and suddenly, while we were still unable to gather fully, he was gone. I didnt post this originally because it’s vulnerable and I think videos of people crying trend toward seeming self absorbed. But it’s a pretty song – pretty enough that I recorded it despite no longer being able to sing it in the moment. And I guess I felt a little of John’s encouragement tonught, because I’m putting myself out there this way, in gratitude for his life. #loss#life#gratitude#singthroughit