A Supple Advent Journey Week Three: Singing Through Shadows to Embrace the Light

This week, we explore the transformative power of emotional expression through song. Building on the shadow work from Week 2, we turn inward to release what no longer serves us and make room for renewal. By acknowledging the emotions within—grief, longing, anger, or hope—we use our voices to carry those feelings outward, creating space for light and growth.

We’ll revisit familiar exercises and introduce new ones, including the art of calling out or wailing to express ourselves fully. This is not about screaming out of frustration, which can feel cathartic but risks causing harm. Instead, we’ll learn how to release in a way that is both cleansing and constructive, inviting new energy to flow in without fear or resistance. By singing inward first, we prepare to release outward, shedding what holds us back and allowing something new to be born.

Energetically, this work aligns with a higher consciousness—not bound by biology or biography but shaped by our pursuit of personal truth in thinking, beauty in feeling, and goodness in action. Through this process, we learn to release with intention and to draw the light of renewal into our being.

This week’s songs reflect this journey. The sacred Coventry Carol offers a space for mourning and lament, while the reimagined Have Yourself a Supple Song This Christmas invites hope and softness. Both songs, along with an improvisation exercise, will guide us to release what weighs us down and express what longs to emerge.

I’m so grateful you’re here on this journey with me—together, let’s sing through the shadows and embrace the light.

Embracing Your Own Timing: A Gift for Whenever You’re Ready

Advent can be a busy and overwhelming time, and it’s okay if you can’t fully engage right now. These practices of grieving, forgiving, and uncovering your voice aren’t confined to this season—they are gifts you can return to at any time. Skim what resonates and allow the ideas to take root. The 12 Holy Nights or even the New Year can be a perfect time to revisit these reflections and exercises, creating space to close out 2024 and welcome the light of renewal in 2025. Transformation unfolds when your heart is ready, not by the calendar. Trust your own timing and know that this journey will be here for you when you need it.

A short Personal Message for Advent 3

This week in our Supple Advent Journey, we explore the theme of emotional expression—releasing sorrow, embracing joy, and making space for renewal. Through The Coventry Carol and a reimagined Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, we use singing to connect with our inner shadows, let go of what no longer serves us, and call in the light.

Discover how these songs can support your personal growth and reflection during this season of transformation. To deepen your journey, I highly recommend exploring Lynn Jericho’s beautiful Inner Advent and Inner Christmas offerings, which align perfectly with our work. You can find her inspiring videos and resources here.

Let’s sing through the shadows and embrace the light together! 🎶

Singing Exercises for Advent 3
Expressing, Releasing, Inviting Warmth and Light

Singing Exercises

In Week 3 of A Supple Advent Journey, we explore singing as a tool for emotional expression, release, and renewal. Through a series of gentle yet transformative exercises, you’ll learn to work with your voice to uncover what no longer serves you and make space for the light. This week introduces the art of calling out—a powerful way to release tension and connect with deeper layers of feeling.

We are revisiting the “Two-Fold M” (Gently Hum) to center your breath and ground your energy, BamBö to activate your belly and strengthen and connect your breath to your tone, and the Ning exercises and I also teach you the “Two-fold N” as well as introduce a new practice: the art of calling out or wailing to release tension and emotions safely. This week’s exercises focus on shedding what holds us back, making room for light and transformation. Let your voice guide you through the shadows and into the light of renewal.

Song Practice

This week, I invite you to explore The Coventry Carol with me as we continue our Advent journey. This haunting carol, rooted in medieval mystery plays, reflects on loss and lamentation. Singing it offers a chance to connect with our own moments of grief and release what we’ve held onto too long.

Through gentle vocal exercises, improvisation, and creating personalized verses, we’ll use this practice to let go of limiting beliefs, perfectionism, and heavy burdens, inviting suppleness into our voices and lives.

We’ll also revisit Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas with reimagined lyrics reflecting themes of renewal and light. I’ll guide you through adapting the melody to suit your voice, helping you sing with ease and joy.

If you’ve been following along, revisit the exercises from weeks one and two to deepen your practice. New here? Start anytime. Let’s use our voices to grow, heal, and embrace the beauty of the season together. ❤️

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Sing-a-Long and Reflect

Once you’ve warmed up with the exercises, sing along.
I’m excited to share two versions of "Coventry Carol" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
The first versions are with new text.
Below that you can find versions with the original text.
I’ve also listed other links to “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” if you prefer a higher key.

Coventry Carol Karaoke
Original Lyrics
English Melody bu Rpbert Croo d. 1534
Arranged by: Joel Boyd

Lullay, Thou Little Tiny Child,
By, By, Lully, Lullay:
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, By, Lully, Lullay.

Herod the King,
in his ragging.
Charged he hath this day:
His men of might,
in his own light,
All children young, to slay.

Then woe is me, poor child, for thee,
And ever mourn and say;
For Thy parting nor say nor sing,
By, by lully, lullay.

Consider trying this alternative text

If you struggle to sing it then speak the words

Lully, lulay, my weary heart, let go, bye, bye, shadows of old.
Oh soul so true, what will we do, to free the voice today?

This heavy weight I’ve held so long, Bye bye, let it away.
Fear and despair, in their clinging, Call us to break their sway

Let go the chains, release the pain, Light guides a gentler way.
Oh heart of mine, now find the time, to sing the dark away.

For love is near, and trusth is clear, Bye Bye, Shadows away.

Have Yourself a Supple Song This Season

(Adapted from "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas")

Have yourself a supple song this season,
Let your heart be free,
Feel the voice within you rise in harmony.

Have yourself a supple song this season,
Breathe with calm and ease,
Let the shadows guide you toward the light you seek.

Once again, as we pause to sing,
Feel the soul take flight,
Let the warmth and wonder hold you through the night.

Someday soon, as we journey onward,
We will find our way,
Singing gently as the darkness fades away.

So have yourself a supple song this season’s day.

Piano by Juliet Forrester.
Juliet Forrester: https://www.JulietForresterMusic.com

Karaoke Keys: https://www.KaraokeKeys.com

If you want to try it in a higher key try these links:

Key of BMajor Click Here

Key of A Major Click Here

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Reflecting Together

As we continue our Supple Advent Journey, let’s take a moment to reflect on the emotions we’ve expressed this week and the space we are creating for renewal. This time is about honoring the shadows, letting go of what no longer serves us, and welcoming the light that follows.

As always, I’d love for us to share our journeys:

• How did singing The Coventry Carol help you express grief, forgiveness, or release?

• What emotions surfaced for you while singing Have Yourself a Supple Song This Season?

• Did you experience anything cathartic during the calling-out exercise? What did it feel like to release those emotions through your voice?

• Are you noticing any shifts as you let your voice carry your emotions outward?

Feel free to comment below or message me directly by clicking here. Your reflections and experiences matter, and I’m here to support you.

Let’s continue to create space for warmth, light, and transformation in our lives as we move through Advent and prepare for the New Year.

With love, light, and a supple voice,
Shannon

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Bonus Videos
Enjoy these versions of the two songs with the original texts.

The Choir Of Trinity College Cambridge - The Coventry Carol (Audio)

Lyrics Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child,
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child, Bye bye, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling for whom we sing,
"Bye bye, lully, lullay"?

Herod the king, in his raging, Charged he hath this day
His men of might in his own sight All young children to slay.

That woe is me, poor child, for thee
And ever mourn and may
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
"Bye bye, lully, lullay."

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)

Meet Me in St. Louis is divided into a series of seasonal vignettes, starting with Summer 1903, it relates the story of a year in the life of the Smith family in St. Louis, leading up to the opening of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (more commonly referred to as the World's Fair) in the spring of 1904. The movie was adapted by Irving Brecher and Fred F. Finklehoffe from a series of short stories by Sally Benson, originally published in The New Yorker magazine under the title "5135 Kensington", and later in novel form as Meet Me in St. Louis. The film was directed by Vincente Minnelli, who met Garland on the set and later married her. Directed By Vincente Minnelli Starring Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor