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PORTSIDE CULTURE

LIVING LIFE WITH A PURPOSE: TIM SHEARD’S SOLIDARITY SONGS  
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Kurt Stand
July 10, 2025
Portside

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_ We live in an era in which, from the White House on down, meanness
has become normalized, become normalized. Music can provide an
antidote, reminding us of who we can be, as anyone listening to Tim
Sheard’s Solidarity Songs will discover. _

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We live in an era in which, from the White House on down, meanness has
become normalized, disrespect has gained respectability, become
normalized.  It is a climate that feeds on itself, a climate the
inhibits our ability to envision a different kind of world, inhibits
our ability to act together to make that vision a reality.  As we see
news of bombs killing children in Gaza, families ripped apart by ICE
agents, lives disrupted by layoffs, witness the needless suffering as
rivers overfull and vaccines sit unused, it is easy to turn numb in
despair, easy to give into a misdirected rage, 

Music can provide an antidote, reminding us of who we can be, as
anyone listening to Tim Sheard’s _SOLIDARITY SONGS_ will discover. 
Tim, a retired nurse, long-time unionist, mystery writer and
publishers of books by and for working people (Hard Ball Press
[[link removed]]) has turned his talents and values to
music.  Music which carry the same message as all forms of
organizing: our power lies in understanding how our uniqueness binds
us together.

As one picture is worth a thousand words so the lyrics from one of the
album’s songs can best express its theme.  Thus these verses from
the album’s “I Saw a Little Bird:”

_In the morning when I wake_

_And rise to meet the day_

_I know there will be trials to face_

_And debts to pay_

_I hope I will come upon a scene_

_That makes me smile,_

_That I may leave my blues behind _

_And walk a cheerful mile_

Lyrics reminding us to take heart from the beauty and happiness we
observe is no small matter, for a heart turned cold will never find
the path needed to overcome war and oppression. Gentleness alive to
the world is a source of strength needed to sustain resistance in
everyday life. 

Songs of anger, of outrage, songs that cry out the pain are necessary;
yet so too are songs of love, joy, sadness.  These touch the core of
who we are when living in community, speak to what we seek and need if
we are to create a life worth living for all. 

Sheard’s lyrics are as varied as the life around us.  “Will You
Walk Along With Me,”  tells of the love expressed in sharing a cup
of coffee while talking of nothing important; “New Eyes,” provides
a welcoming note to immigrants; “A Child of Mine,” an anti-war
song tinged with sadness, which can’t help but turn our thoughts to
children in all the lands where bombs are dropping.  Then there are
songs of work such as “Tradeswomen Build It For You,” or “Music
Is Your Calling,” for what is more rewarding than having your
aspirations and labor converge).  Reflecting his own years of labor
are Sheard’s “Nurse T.” and “A Nurses Lullaby.”

That tune on is reminiscent of Woody Guthrie’s “A Hobo’s
Lullaby” which is appropriate as Tim’s music adheres to Woody’s
commitment “ ... to sing songs that will prove to you that this is
your world and that if it has hit you pretty hard and knocked you for
a dozen loops, no matter what color, what size you are, how you are
built, I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself
and in your work.”

Underlying all the songs is the question of choice; how do we see
ourselves and all those around us.  That is a question of solidarity,
a question those of us more than half-way through our journey in this
life ought to ask ourselves – and it is a question those younger
must confront at each fork in the road.  “What Is the Life Worth
Living,” asks:

_Should I think just of myself_

_And work to gather endless wealth_

_And climb the ladder of success_

_On the backs of the oppressed_

_Should I crush my enemies and glory in their misery_

_Will I give orders, curse and shout?_

_Is that what it means, is that what it’s all about?_

_Should I lend a hand to those_

_Who walk down a dark and lonely road?_

_Give shelter to a stranger who has lost his way_

_And can’t get through? _

_In quiet moments may I see the treasure of my family?_

_Will I be rich in love or not?_

_Is that what it means? Is that what it’s all about?_

The album itself clearly was a labor of love and, as with all labor,
it was a collective effort.  Tim is joined by vocalists and musicians
Sabrina Rudden, Tracy Michelle, Brian Mason, Chris Price, Mason
Emmert, Brad Appell, Eric Hart, and Luke Simons.
Tim Sheard directing one of the sessions of Solidarity Songs

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SOLIDARITY SONGS is available for purchase as an album ($25) or as a
download ($9) from the New York City-based Mighty Rivers Collective --
musical theatre actors, musicians and composers “championing peace,
social justice, and environmental healing.”  For purchase
information go to their website at: [link removed]
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* Music
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* Work songs
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* folk music
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* Solidarity songs
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* Life with a Purpose
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* Tim Sheard
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