Cynthia Crossen is a successful writer of heartfelt songs that are popular within the Pagan community. I interviewed her about her song, The Roots of My Heart, and she described to me her philosophy of song and her dedication to her craft. She joyfully works to nurture singing and song celebration throughout many communities and groups. In her words:
“Back when we lived in tribes, music was everywhere, made by everyone in the tribe. It was constant and free. It belonged to everybody. It was magic, transformative, powerful, and absolutely essential to our health and survival… We had songs for every passage–birth, coming of age, marriage, death–songs for the hunt, the work, the worship, the stories. Everybody sang. Many people don’t have tribes anymore, but we can still gather, and we can still make our own music with our own voices and hands.”
The Song is Born!
The Crow Women discovered and adopted work from Cynthia Crossen many years ago, and we are especially fond of her lovely song, The Roots of My Heart. The lyrics are are simple:
The roots of my heart go deep underground
and entwine with thr roots of your heart.
I will find you deep in my heart.
Cynthia describes the creation of this song as follows: “The first line of “The Roots of My Heart” came to me — from where? I don’t know… from where the spirit songs dwell? It came into my mind, and I jotted it down on the staff paper in my music manuscript spiral notebook.
Some time later, leafing through this book full of musical ideas, I saw that line, and realized it could be one line in a round. I sat down and wrote the other lines. They too seemed to be inspired, because after I’d finished this round, I realized that I had done something different, for me: the lines wove in and out of each other”
Crows love this song for ritual
Members of our coven often sing this song. We find it especially appropriate for creating that wonderful feeling of being connected, Sister to Sister, and to make a new member or guest feel welcome.
This song was recorded on our first album, Crow Goddess, and you can find more information about our version of it on its page on our website. Here it is on YouTube:
We might also sing Roots of My Heart when bidding farewell, as a covenant that our bond will always remain true. In my personal life, I sang this song to a special someone as we were saying goodbye, and even though we have not met since, the roots of our hearts are indeed entwined.
I found another perfect opportunity to sing this song when I officiated at a wedding. I adapted the words as follows: “[Name], the roots of your heart go deep underground and entwine with the roots of [Name’s] heart… Love will find you, deep in your hearts…”
Crossen offers her music free to the world!
Cynthia Crossen believes that music should be and can be offered freely for the enrichment of all people! She states, “I created a website, CynthiaSongs.com, which contains my songs which can be downloaded for free, with lyrics and scores where available…it seems like this is part of my mission in this world. People are so appreciative.”
In addition to CynthiaSongs.com, Crossen participates as a contributing musician to the Community Music Project, based in North Carolina. This program has created an outlet for music and songs to flow and circulate among their many fans and followers, as well as among the musicians themselves.
In her own words, “The Community Music Project is a community of songwriters, musicians, and recording engineers publishing local music with minimal amounts of money. Instead of complaining about, or attempting to change, the music recording industry, we offer an alternative for musicians and listeners…
As of June 2007, the Community Music Project has published six CDs, Butterfly on the Wind (2000), Come Shining Through (2001), Feel This Love (2002), Dreams of Flying (2003), The Innocence To Cry (2005), and We Are All of This (2007). The Project has also assisted in the production of two other CDs, Goodbye Taganka (Jamuna, 2000) and I Send A Voice (Mark Smith & Friends, 2002). We are currently recording or planning many more CDs.You can download these albums for free from the Community Music Project website” .
Want to write songs? Here’s how:
Cynthia Crossen is prolific and inspired as a songwriter. She opens herself to her Muse, as do many songwriters. For example, several of the Crow Women attended S.J. Tucker’s workshop on songwriting a few years ago. She encouraged us to follow the intuitions that come from our daily living, and to pay attention to those whispers of possible melodies and lyrics–without judgment! She encouraged us to capture all our song ideas and hang onto them. The idea that seems unworkable at first might become your favorite or best song! For more information on S.J., go to www.sjtucker.com
I myself experienced the direct gift of a song from The Goddess. I’ll describe that in a future blog post; watch for it!
As for Cynthia, she states, “I’ve learned to trust that songs will come to me. Every time I catch a song, jot it down, complete it, record it, share it with others, I’m sending the Muse a message—“thank you! I’m listening! I am using and appreciating what you send me!” Here’s what I think helps nurture my song creativity: (1) writing often in my journal, so I know what I’m thinking about and feeling; (2) listening to my inner Guide; (3) catching and crafting my song ideas into completed songs; (4) sharing my songs with my closest, appreciative friends; (5) singing my songs with others.”
“Why do you write songs, Cynthia?”
These are the reasons that Cynthia gives when asked this question:
- Because sometimes they just sing themselves into my ear.
- So that I can transform my own suffering into some kind of guiding truth.
- So that I can remember the hard-won wisdom I find.
- To celebrate my beloveds.
- To express my gratitude.
- Because it feels so good to share my heartfelt truth.
- For the sheer fun of it.
- To make something beautiful.
- To make a gift for my friends.
- To return some of the grace freely given to me, to others.
- To hear harmonies.
- Because I love doing it.
- Because I love sharing them with friends, and hearing what they add to them.
- Because it’s so joyful, and deep.
- Because listening to them makes me cry, and helps me remember my own truest truths, and why I’m here, and that I am loved.
- To bring healing to myself and others.
- To connect to my deep self.
- To bring us together in community.
- To keep me singing.
- To share overflowing love.
Reader, how do you find inspiration for your art? Please post in the comments section about your songwriting, painting, collage, writing, or any other artistic endeavor that you are willing to share. Why do you create? We are eager to hear from you!
We, the Crow Women, are among the many, many individuals who have been touched, moved and inspired by the songwriting of Cynthia Crossen. We are so honored that she agreed to share with us the depth of her feelings and techniques for crafting her fine music. We hope that all of you, if you don’t know her work, will visit her website and become enchanted, as we are! Blessed Be.
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