As we’re swimming with the Salmon, thematically speaking here in Forest Halls, by way of blog posts and my radio show, I thought I’d share with you one of my favorite Salmon songs.
Salmon Returning Home was composed by my dear friend Kristina Turner, and is a wonderful song to sing with kids, families, and in community. Kristina has generously agreed to share her song here so that you can sing it too.
Here’s what Kristina writes about the birth of the song:
The song has a story – it arrived on Summer Solstice during 24 hour prayer-vigil drumming at Burton Hill on Vashon. It is a healing song, dedicated to salmon fisherman and friend, John Schindler.
And here are the lyrics!
Salmon Returning Home – Lyrics and Music by Kristina Turner
Swimmin’ upstream
With my belly in the river
I’m salmon returning home
repeat verse – you can sing it call and response.
CHORUS
Makin’ my way
From the sea to me
I’m openin’ up to the powers that be
I’m swimmin’ upstream
With my belly in the river
I’m salmon returning home
Verse 2:
Wrigglin’ over rocks
With my belly in the water
I’m salmon returnin’ home
repeat verse
CHORUS
Verse 3
Swimmin’ upstream
To the place I began
I’m salmon returning home
repeat verse
CHORUS:
finish by repeating the last line 2 more times
Salmon returning home
Salmon returning home
Song etiquette:
Please remember to credit Kristina when singing this song. Please do not record/distribute it for personal use or profit, or change it without contacting Kristina and discussing your idea and intention with her. You can reach her here.
And I invite you to take a moment to get to know Kristina! She is a wonderful creative, wise woman who knows how to play! Her questions and insights help me pause and wonder, and to dig into my internal landscape with curiosity and delight. Kristina knows how to follow the Salmon — of one’s passions, creative vision … — and help others to follow them too. I’ve harvested many a hazel nut of illumination by way of her, and found my way to new streams of possibilities.
Thank you for sharing this song, Kristina!
PS. Watch a performance of Salmon Returning Home in the video Heart of Vashon – Telling Our Story. Find it at 1:19:50. (yes, that’s me leading the singing).
A Final Salmon Note: I hope you’ve had the chance to listen to the latest Forest Halls Celtic streaming radio show, Show 38 – Salmon Return, which is a river of music, musing, poetry, and a tale with this amazing creature. If not, I encourage you to listen sometime this week, as this episode will cease being available for listening as of Dec. 8.