Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Did you know there are historic songs that recognize God as feminine?
For hundreds of years, the Shakers, a communalist faith tradition, have described the Divine in feminine and masculine aspects: There is God the Mother as well as God the Father. This joyful song depicts the Mother (who may also be a representation of Shaker co-founder Mother Ann Lee) working a spindle, producing love and unity between peoples as she twists the fibers into threads.
In the year ahead, we’ll need songs like this one to embolden and reassure us as we combat sexism and threats to the rights of many. Let’s be ready while we stand on the shoulders of such beautiful songs and singers.
Start your year with my course “Badass Women in Folk Song!” Badass Women in Folk Song is a 6 week course that you can take virtually (or locally if you’re in western NC)! In our time together, we’ll learn a one-of-a-kind collection of ballads and songs about witches, warriors and triumphant women from Scotland, England and Appalachia, and strategies of resistance that these songs teach us. With the dire times we’re in, Badass Women is intended to be a balm to carry you through the winter.
We start in mid-January- check out the schedule and regyster by going to this lynk: songsthatspeak.teachable.com/p/badass-women-landing-page
Lyrics:
Round a round the mother’s blessing
Goes round, round the world around
Round a round the mother’s blessing
Goes round, round the world around
Twisiting strands of love and union into life’s eternal bliss
Mother’s hand is on the spindle, turning us to peace and rest
Did you know there are historic songs that recognize God as feminine?
For hundreds of years, the Shakers, a communalist faith tradition, have described the Divine in feminine and masculine aspects: There is God the Mother as well as God the Father. This joyful song depicts the Mother (who may also be a representation of Shaker co-founder Mother Ann Lee) working a spindle, producing love and unity between peoples as she twists the fibers into threads.
In the year ahead, we’ll need songs like this one to embolden and reassure us as we combat sexism and threats to the rights of many. Let’s be ready while we stand on the shoulders of such beautiful songs and singers.
Start your year with my course “Badass Women in Folk Song!” Badass Women in Folk Song is a 6 week course that you can take virtually (or locally if you’re in western NC)! In our time together, we’ll learn a one-of-a-kind collection of ballads and songs about witches, warriors and triumphant women from Scotland, England and Appalachia, and strategies of resistance that these songs teach us. With the dire times we’re in, Badass Women is intended to be a balm to carry you through the winter.
We start in mid-January- check out the schedule and regyster by going to this lynk: songsthatspeak.teachable.com/p/badass-women-landing-page
Lyrics:
Round a round the mother’s blessing
Goes round, round the world around
Round a round the mother’s blessing
Goes round, round the world around
Twisiting strands of love and union into life’s eternal bliss
Mother’s hand is on the spindle, turning us to peace and rest
