I’m indebted to the very talented Michael Harrison for his encouragement with my writing and my music. Michael is a regular on the Celtic circuit. You can’t miss him: His guitar case looks like a cow skin and his capo (or cheater bar as my father calls them) like  a little pig. Though adults enjoy his music, Michael has a talent for teaching music to children, and at the festivals, Michael is often if not usually given the children’s stage. I really respect his work for I know from doing my own programs that kids can be a tough audience! You can read more about Michael Harrison and look at some of his CD’s here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/mwhlk
One of the songs I’ve learned from Michael and use in my own program now is the “Garden Song.” (On his For Kids of All Ages CD) I decided to post the lyrics here. There’s several different versions out, but I generally followed Michael’s.

The Garden Song

Inch by inch, row by row
Gonna make this garden grow
All it takes is a rake and a hoe
And a piece of fertile ground

Inch by inch, row by row
Someone bless these seeds I sow
Someone warm them from below
‘Till the rain comes tumbling down.

Pulling weeds and pickin’ stones;
Man is made of dreams and bones
Feel the need to grow my own,
‘Cause the time is close at hand.

Grain for grain, sun and rain,
Find my way in nature’s chain
Tune my body and my brain,
To the music from the land.

Plant your rows straight and long,
Temper them with a prayer and song.
Mother Earth will make you strong
If you give her love and care.

An old crow watching hungrily
From his perch in yonder tree.
And in my garden I’m as free
As that feathered thief up there.