We Need Each Other

A rhythmic celebration of interdependence, ideal for lively processionals or recessionals

Commissioned by Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Poet/Lyricist:

Susan Gittler, adapted

Sharing, giving and receiving are at the heart of this rhythmic song, which begins with voices in unison and builds to a call-and-response style finale. Several optional repeats make this a natural processional or recessional, and the score can be easily adapted to incorporate combined choirs, intergeneration choirs, or audience participation.

A note from the composer: Music sometimes evolves of its own accord. An alternate way to perform the ending of We Need Each Other emerged when I was recently conducting this song at a choral festival. The soloists weren’t quite confident about their solos, so I asked them to speak from their hearts, one by one, while the choir sang the repeated ending. One singer said “…Along our country’s border crossings.” Another said: “…In reforming our criminal justice system.” After several such spoken solos, I turned around and held out my hands to the audience, inviting them to speak as well. Audience members were not at all shy about speaking their own thoughts aloud, and somehow they even managed not to speak over one another! It was a very powerful, participatory experience.

We Need Each Other

Susan Gittler, adapted

We need each other,
As we hunger to give,
   and thirst to receive,
   in all of our days:
We need each other.

In the joy of celebration,
And when sorrows linger long,
In our labor and creation,
And in every word, every dance, every song.

In discovery and learning,
And in the mystery of art.
In our trusting and our yearning,
blessing every face, every hand, every heart.

We need each other,
As we hunger to give,
   and thirst to receive,
   in all of our days:
We need each other.

Original poem by Susan Gittler

We need each other in the joy of celebration,
To know the mystery of the arts,
Of dance and song and
The glory of the spoken word.

We need each other
For tasks greater than ourselves
For discovery, for learning,
For building and creation.

We yearn to give and thirst to receive,
For all of life, we need each other.

© Susan Gittler

Performers:

PREMIERE: Choir of Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship / Kevin Badanes

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Genres:

Choral