Sunny Songs

Singing and songwriting across age and illness

Every month, we sing hit songs with an intergenerational group of singers living with chronic health conditions. The hour-long sessions are friendly and conversational, and promote emotional wellbeing and social connection for everyone involved. Sometimes we write original songs together, too.

 

“Time” (2022)

In 2022, we met Joanne. In our visits together, we sang some favorite songs, like “Does Your Mother Know You’re Out, Cecilia” by Whispering Jack Smith. We also wrote a new song together called “Time.”

When asked why she wanted to write a song about time, Joanne said, “Now, for me, time is getting shorter. I still don’t know what will make time—and my life—worthy of me.”

“Time” lyrics

Time is racing onward, it won’t look back

It doesn’t stop when I call it

Sometimes it’s beautiful, other times it’s not

It just keeps going, it won’t be caught

We’re searching, searching, searching for something we can hold

Time slips through our fingers as we grow old

We’re searching, searching, searching for our destiny

Rivers run their course ‘til they reach the sea


“The Wonders” (2023)

In 2023, we reconnected with Joanne. During our visits, we listened to our first song and wrote a second song together.

“The Wonders” is about re-finding our purpose in life as we grow and change. At 93 years old, Joanne says she’s “still trying to sort out what I want to be and to do in life.”

“The Wonders” lyrics

If I could slow down time and look at what it means

If I could open it up and find what it is I need

If I could sail it like the sea, and trust that it would carry me

Oh but I've never seen the wonders that I seek

What if I had chosen a different course across the ocean?

//

Oh how could I have known the wonders that I'd reach

If a different course I had chosen, or never went across the ocean

Sunny Songs has received financial support from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (2021-2024) and Springboard for the Arts (2020).