The Ways of the Whale

A "Body of Work" no. 19 -- A Trilogy

Welcome to “A Body of Work.” It’s the occasional Tuesday space here on “Living in a Body” where I dig deep into Hal history and pull out a musical gem. Be sure to click the Soundcloud links below to hear the three songs that make “The Ways of the Whale — a Trilogy.” Thank you!

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The Ways of the Whale (A Trilogy)

In the early 2000’s, Mary Sheridan and Sue Reed approached my table at the annual Ohio Arts Council Arts-in-Education Fall conference and asked if I would come to Tussing Elementary School to help fulfill a vision. Ms. Sheridan was an educator on the cutting edge of arts integration who was teaching her students about the eco-system of their own neighborhood while connecting them with a sister school in Barrow, Alaska. I ended up spending many weeks at Tussing making music with the students and writing a trilogy of songs about a whale who travels all the way from Barrow, Alaska to Pickerington, Ohio

I’m sorry to say that Mary is no longer living, but I know that the whale’s tale lives on behind the school. I have rarely had the opportunity to present these songs as a trilogy, so I’m grateful to share them with you today. The three songs tell the whole story. I hope you enjoy.

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“This is the story of a humpback whale that swims all the way from Barrow, Alaska to Pickerington, Ohio. The students at Tussing Elementary School invited all the animals to come live in the pond out behind their school. Who would’ve thought that a humpback whale would respond to the invitation. She’s still there today in the form of a 20 foot tail. She’s busy teaching anyone who will listen… the ways of the whale.”

Half Way from Pickerington

Half Way from Pickerington all the way to Reynoldsburg
There’s was a farm rollin’ acres of fields.
There was corn and wheat, a swamp and a stream
And it all made a home for the animals and trees.
And the whale swims free in the ocean.

Well I was a child on the earth just a few years ago.
Me and my family were moving to find us a home
In a town that was willing to grow.
Mom and Dad bought a house right up off Tussing Road
And the whale swims free in the ocean.

Well the stores and the houses grew up and the farm was torn down.
Big city lights came closer and closer.
The sound all around was the change of our town.
Then a new school was built on the old fertile ground.
And the whale swims free in the ocean.

My friends and I grew in our homes and in our Tussing School.
We became a family in the old fashioned way that we do
Me and you, livin’ good, right and true.
But we wondered where had all the birds gone and the other animals too.
And the whale swims free in the ocean.

So, we learned about the wildlife that left since the people moved in.
Made an invitation to come back and join us again.
Workin’ hands put some love in the land.
And we sang to the birds tell the world of our plan.
And the whale swims free in the ocean.

From a thousand miles away came the call of an old humpback whale
Comin’ to the end of a long life of swimming in style.
She would die in the form of a tail
And forever she would be a teacher of the ways of the whale.
So she started swimming home to Ohio.

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Humpback in Ohio

My journey begins in the Arctic Ocean North of Barrow, Alaska.
I’ll swim through the Bering Straits into the Bering Sea.
From North to South, I’ll soar the waters of the Pacific Ocean
Through the Panama Canal into the Caribbean Sea.

And then North through the Yucatan Channel,
I’ll swim to the Gulf of Mexico.
I’ll race to the old Mississippi.
and then run to the Ohio.

Chorus
I’m a whale on a journey underneath the sun
And I’m swimming home to Pickerington.
A humpback in Ohio betcha never thought you’d see
But I’m on my way so be looking for me.

My journey continues as I move to the mouth of the Scioto River.
I swim upstream Big Walnut Creek, I’m almost home.
I turn to the east, Blacklick Creek, listen close for the gift I’m bringing.
As I leap through the brook of old Tussing Farm, you’ll hear my song.

So, People gather round with your children
and bring your grandparents, too.
You gotta carry me over this portage
To the pond of the Tussing School.

I’m a whale on a journey underneath the sun
And I’m swimming home to Pickerington
A humpback in Ohio betcha never thought you’d see
But I’m on my way so be looking for me.
I’ll see you in February.

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Our Home is Your Home

The Whale has come. Her journey’s done.
Time to celebrate such a wonderful day.
’Cause we’ve been waiting’ such a long long time
For the day to come, for the whale to join the party.
Everybody shout! Let the word spread out!
What a welcome home. It’s been a long long road.
And now our home is your home today.
Our home is your whale — you humpback whale.

So, what are you whale a gonna teach us?
What is the road you’re gonna lead us on?
How is your beauty gonna reach us?
How are we ever gonna learn your song?
I wonder if the whale might change us.
I wonder if the journey goes on and on.
Maybe the whale’ll be famous.
Maybe the world is gonna sing her song.

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Thanks so much for listening! Here’s some color for you on this Spring Day. If you look closely, you’ll see the whale’s tail. ❤️