Young Authors Greenhouse is a non-profit organization in Louisville, Kentucky that inspires students ages 6-18 to recognize the power of their voices and stories. All of our programs revolve around the belief that young people have something important to say and should be taken seriously. We bring volunteers and students together to think, learn, and collaborate together. We work with our students to write for authentic audiences—to connect in a broader way, to join the conversations happening in our community, country, and world. We do this by publishing our student work in books—and in this case, by producing a record!
Teddy Abrams and Jim James had the idea to create a songwriting program for our students and helped recruit local musicians to put the idea into action. For two weeks, seventh-graders at Olmsted Academy South, an all-girls middle school in Louisville, KY, worked together in bands on writing and revising lyrics.
Once they had solid drafts, the musicians rolled in! Jim James, Teddy Abrams, Tyrone Cotton, Scott Carney, James Lindsey, 1200, Rachel Grimes, and Carter Wood Sartor paired up and started working with a student band. Working together, note-by-note, the musicians and authors worked together to put the words to song—creating melodies that reflect the lyrics beautifully. At the end of the week, the bands performed these songs on stage. This record is full of courage, joy, and so much hope.
LYRICS
“Banquets of Love and Shadows”
By the Guardian Angels
Lyrics by Aya, Rebecca, Damari, & Liliana
Band leaders: Jim James & Tyrone Cotton
Tears turn into rainbows
Tears of loneliness turn to joy
You still have your shadow in the dark
Sunlight shines inside you
I’m not there but that doesn’t mean I’m not here
- - -
“Empty Meadow”
By Triple S
Lyrics by Bethany, Ruqya, Italia, & Medina
Band Leaders: Carter Wood Sartor & Rachel Grimes
Hopeful brings a yellow sun
warmth for everyone, to laugh along
Shining til the night falls
bright like a soft hijab, the story never stops
My heart is broken
which piece do I follow
Hopeful brings blue like the sky
blooms and comes to life, just wait and see
- - -
“Hope is Currently Untitled”
By The Daydreamers
Lyrics by Tanasia, Jayda, Olivia, & Haley
Band Leaders: Teddy Abrams & 1200
Is hope here?
Hope is here.
Hope is a seed
That grows into a dozen roses
Hope lies in every speckle of a freckle
Apple blossoms bloom
Green, yellow, red
They spread and spread
On earth growing beautifully
Things of joy
- - -
“Is It Friendship?”
By Breaking Chains
Lyrics by Skylar, Adrena, & Mahogne
Band Leaders: Scott Carney & James Lindsey
You forgot about me
Kicked me to the curb
Our friendship was a lesson
A lesson to be learned
I tried to stay and make it work
But we never could go back
to where we were
Isn’t friendship being there for each other?
Isn’t friendship being real to each other?
Isn’t friendship forgiving each other?
Is it friendship? Is it friendship?
Young Authors Greenhouse is a non-profit organization in Louisville, Kentucky that inspires students ages 6-18 to recognize the power of their voices and stories. All of our programs revolve around the belief that young people have something important to say and should be taken seriously. We bring volunteers and students together to think, learn, and collaborate together. We work with our students to write for authentic audiences—to connect in a broader way, to join the conversations happening in our community, country, and world. We do this by publishing our student work in books—and in this case, by producing a record!
Teddy Abrams and Jim James had the idea to create a songwriting program for our students and helped recruit local musicians to put the idea into action. For two weeks, seventh-graders at Olmsted Academy South, an all-girls middle school in Louisville, KY, worked together in bands on writing and revising lyrics.
Once they had solid drafts, the musicians rolled in! Jim James, Teddy Abrams, Tyrone Cotton, Scott Carney, James Lindsey, 1200, Rachel Grimes, and Carter Wood Sartor paired up and started working with a student band. Working together, note-by-note, the musicians and authors worked together to put the words to song—creating melodies that reflect the lyrics beautifully. At the end of the week, the bands performed these songs on stage. This record is full of courage, joy, and so much hope.
LYRICS
“Banquets of Love and Shadows”
By the Guardian Angels
Lyrics by Aya, Rebecca, Damari, & Liliana
Band leaders: Jim James & Tyrone Cotton
Tears turn into rainbows
Tears of loneliness turn to joy
You still have your shadow in the dark
Sunlight shines inside you
I’m not there but that doesn’t mean I’m not here
- - -
“Empty Meadow”
By Triple S
Lyrics by Bethany, Ruqya, Italia, & Medina
Band Leaders: Carter Wood Sartor & Rachel Grimes
Hopeful brings a yellow sun
warmth for everyone, to laugh along
Shining til the night falls
bright like a soft hijab, the story never stops
My heart is broken
which piece do I follow
Hopeful brings blue like the sky
blooms and comes to life, just wait and see
- - -
“Hope is Currently Untitled”
By The Daydreamers
Lyrics by Tanasia, Jayda, Olivia, & Haley
Band Leaders: Teddy Abrams & 1200
Is hope here?
Hope is here.
Hope is a seed
That grows into a dozen roses
Hope lies in every speckle of a freckle
Apple blossoms bloom
Green, yellow, red
They spread and spread
On earth growing beautifully
Things of joy
- - -
“Is It Friendship?”
By Breaking Chains
Lyrics by Skylar, Adrena, & Mahogne
Band Leaders: Scott Carney & James Lindsey
You forgot about me
Kicked me to the curb
Our friendship was a lesson
A lesson to be learned
I tried to stay and make it work
But we never could go back
to where we were
Isn’t friendship being there for each other?
Isn’t friendship being real to each other?
Isn’t friendship forgiving each other?
Is it friendship? Is it friendship?
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