Lullaby for Troubled Lands and Waters
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Story & Experience
My co-host Lynda and I had each gone separately to the amphitheater prior to the day of the Global Earth Exchange to walk around the site, a vast and desolate expanse of concrete and pavement where concert-goers would stand facing the massive stage, behind which the sun would set over Lake Erie. Lynda described her sense of it as “empty” and “hollow” in contrast to the lively wildness that had begun to characterize the area only a few years ago. I looked at the size of the speakers, imagining the decibels of sound blasting toward the few individuals that remained of a stand of cottonwood trees we’d gathered near then to express our sorrow after they were assessed as having no value and slated for removal. Recently, I’d read about a Druid ritual practice for “putting land to sleep” when it was known that assaults were to occur there or would be ongoing. Lynda suggested we ask John Whitney, president of the Western NY Environmental Alliance, songwriter and singer, if he had any ideas for a lullaby.
My co-host Lynda and I had each gone separately to the amphitheater prior to the day of the Global Earth Exchange to walk around the site, a vast and desolate expanse of concrete and pavement where concert-goers would stand facing the massive stage, behind which the sun would set over Lake Erie. Lynda described her sense of it as “empty” and “hollow” in contrast to the lively wildness that had begun to characterize the area only a few years ago. I looked at the size of the speakers, imagining the decibels of sound blasting toward the few individuals that remained of a stand of cottonwood trees we’d gathered near then to express our sorrow after they were assessed as having no value and slated for removal. Recently, I’d read about a Druid ritual practice for “putting land to sleep” when it was known that assaults were to occur there or would be ongoing. Lynda suggested we ask John Whitney, president of the Western NY Environmental Alliance, songwriter and singer, if he had any ideas for a lullaby.
Why this Place?
Outer Harbor, Buffalo, NY
Having lost a fight to keep this stretch of shoreline as undeveloped as possible, allowing nature to continue its reclamation of an abandoned, contaminated former industrial site — an important stopover site for migrating birds near the Niagara River corridor — we wanted to “sing the land to sleep” in advance of a weekend of outdoor concerts that would bring thousands of people and polluting vehicles to the recently completed Outer Harbor amphitheater grounds.
Act of Beauty
When our small group arrived the next day for our Earth Exchange, to barricades and guards refusing us access to the areas surrounding the amphitheater, we headed for an adjacent meadow with an unimpeded view of the water, at a distance from the sound check booming across the land. Lynda, Professor Emerita of Architecture and longtime activist, “placemaker” and convener of our local Active Hope group, told about the history and iterations of the Outer Harbor’s development, and we shared our fond memories and that day’s noticings of non-human activity along the waterfront. John handed out copies of lyrics and accompanied us on guitar and harmonica as we sang, together with red-winged blackbirds and song sparrows, his lullaby commissioned for the occasion. It was, as one of the participants said, an expression of love for our Mother Earth, and a communion of like-minded hearts and the Outer Harbor.
Rest Easy
(Lullaby for Troubled Lands & Water)
by John Whitney
Rest easy, though your waters are troubled,
Though your shoreline is rubble.
We’ve made so many mistakes.
Rest easy, though the land seems forsaken,
Though we’ve selfishly taken,
What was not ours to take.
Rest easy. Better days are ahead.
Rest easy. The time will come when instead
Of choices based on greed
We’ll think of Nature first.
Rest easy. Rest easy.
Rest easy, though much harm has been done,
And more is likely to come,
Before we turn things around.
Rest easy. There are better ways.
We’ll get through this dark phase.
Nature will rebound.
Rest easy. Rest easy.
Rest easy. Rest easy.
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