I'm in search of a song that would work perfectly for the opening of our community's Relay.
Our theme this year is simply "Hope." But our underlying theme is how the youth are making a great impact in the quest to stop cancer. Most of our teams are youth teams, so I figured it would be perfect. Plus, our Luminaria Ceremony will involve mainly speakers under 26.
Problem is, I can't think of any songs that really reflect hope.
Any ideas??
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March 21, 2007 - 2:02pm
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A song I wrote for the American Cancer Society
I wrote a song for the American Cancer Society called "Celebrate." I was featured performing that song in a video about the Celebration on The Hill Relay For Life event. I've performed at Relays from Florida to Washington when folks tracked me down after seeing the video. You can see it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfz0DnAzuiM
You can also download a copy of the song from my website:
http://tomwillner.com/songinfo.asp?title=Celebrate&id=404193
I've also made several songs available on sharinghope.tv:
http://www.sharinghope.tv/music
If you like any of these songs, feel free to use them. I'm a testicular cancer survivor of over 8 years, so I wish you good luck with your Relays and thanks so much for doing what you do!
- Tom Willner
songs for relays
I have a singing/speaking ministry called Rest In Him, based on HOPE. I have performed at several Relays songs from my cds. Check out my website at www.restinhimministry.com. You might be able to get ideas from the songs on my cds. Many of my cds have been handed to people going through chemo to help them get through the rough times. The music has also been an encouragement for family members and friends of those going through the journey of cancer. This ministry began when I became a 5-year breast cancer survivor.
Opening Ceremony Song
Last year on our video we used the song "This Is My Now" by Jordin Sparks from American Idol. Because she appeals to a younger crowd from Idol, I think that this would be a great choice. The lyrics are also PERFECT!
We actually used it as a Survivor song!
Good luck!
Songs of Hope
I was just spending some time on a Friday night here in Ohio reading over some of the forum comments and I saw your question about songs for your Relay and luminary. My husband, Tom, a multiple myeloma survivor, just wrote the winning song for the American Cancer Society’s contest for the new website<sharinghope.tv> It’s very upbeat. You can give it a listen on our website<expectamiraclethemovie.com>
By the way, that song is the title song for our movie, “Expect a Miracle”, but that’s another whole story!
There is also a beautiful song he wrote (Maybe I’m biased!) that would be perfect for a luminary ceremony. It’s called “Be My Candle Through The Night”. That’s on the same website.
You should really take a look and listen. “Expect A Miracle” is the title song of the movie we, and about 100 volunteers, filmed over the course of nearly three years. It took us a little longer ‘cause a little thing called cancer kinda got in the way.
Anyway, we’re offering the move as a different kind of fundraiser, too. We’re working with Relays in 5 states right now and it’s all pretty exciting!
So, go to the site and listen to the songs. Just click on the blue ribbon in the upper, left hand corner of the HOMEPAGE to hear “Expect A Miracle” and link on SONG CLIPS at the bottom of the page for “Be My Candle Through The Night”.
Tom said to email him at ceo@newartistfilms.com and talk to him about using the songs or having your relay use the film for a fund raiser.
Whatever you decide, “Relay On” and good luck!
Hi, i'm a member of the
Hi, i'm a member of the united kingdom relay for life, i am the candle of hope ceremony organiser.
What would you see as the best songs & poems for the ceremony? For the start of it?
do you have the links to any poems?
Are there any that you use every year?
My relay is June 2008 
song
Hey Bobby!
I just heard a new song "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas and I am definitely using it in my Relay. It makes me tear up! :) I also like the song "You are loved, don't give up" by Josh Groban.
Haven't heard from you lately. Hope all is well.
Heather Alvey
nice song.....
We utilized this song last year. We had a high school choir/swing group sing it. It was beautiful.
Seasons of Love by the Broadway musical Rent.
This is about measuring a year in a human life. the lyrics go....
Song of Hope
How about the Nickelback song, "If Everyone Cared"? 90% of our relay participants are high school students and we have been considering using this both for the message and because it's a song the kids definitely know.
Here's a link that will let you watch the video: http://www.videocure.com/video_loading30_52.php?jop=2&letter=n&id=d21a6f98f3dd7a0f1dc88b5775ac8b6a-654&bw=high&vidh=240&vidw=320
or look at the lyics: http://www.elyrics.net/read/n/nickelback-lyrics/if-everyone-cared-lyrics.html
script
Here are the songs we're using in our Luminaria Ceremony. If anyone would like the MS Word document of our ceremony, please let me know and I can e-mail you the document. The Ceremony involves songs (recorded and live), stories and poems.
- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World” by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole
- Opening Remarks/Introduction
- HS student singing
- Poem “A Prayer For The Conquest Of Cancer”
- Short story reading
- “On Eagles Wings” by Josh Groban
- Poem "A Death Has Occurred"
- Poem "Candles Are Lit"
- HS student sings
- Poem "Always Remember" while HS kids create lighted heart shape
- “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
- Poem "Footprints"
- “Lean On Me” by Michael Bolton
- Poem "Close The Door"
- “I Run For Life” by Melissa Etheridge
- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World” by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole
The reason "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is played twice is because I figured we'd close the ceremony the way we opened it...it's about a 5 minute song and it can allow for quiet time after our ceremony.
I'm looking into getting those other songs you all suggested so I can take a listen and see if I should replace any songs. Or even use those songs for the Survivors Lap, etc.
Very nice!
Hi Bobby
This all sounds amazing! I am a first timer and I am in the Luminaria position. I have not ever been to a Relay (I have done race for the cure and such) so I am looking for good ideas. I would love the words to the poems you used if you do not mind sharing.
Thanks soooo much!
Warmly,
lisa
script
Bobby
Last year you offered a MS Word document copy of your ceremony (which by the way looks fabulous) - don't know if you still have but if so...I would love to have a copy. We are putting together a relay without a lot of prep time and with only a few chairs so I am definetly going to be reaching out for help
Wow!
Wow! Awesome! Melissa Etheridge's song is one I've already got in our line-up. And Josh Groban. As for Wind Beneath My Wings...I'm using the Daniel O'Donnell version.
But all of those are fantastic ideas!
Bobby Cherry
Chairperson, Relay For Life of Moon
MoonRelay@gmail.com
www.acsevents.org/moonrelay
Songs Of Hope
Bobby,
Our LT actually put together a CD of songs that make us think of Relay and there are a few songs that may work for you.
"I Run For Life" - Melissa Etheridge is a great one.
"Into the Fire" - Bruce Springsteen in the chorus is says, "May your strength give us strength, May your faith give us faith, May your hope give us hope, May your Love give us love."
"Wind Beneath My Wings" - Bette Midler
"You Raise Me Up" - Josh GrobanHope you find a song that works.
Songs
Aimee - The Melisssa Ethridge Song "I Run For Life" is fantastic, since she wrote that about her battle with breast cancer.
Bobby - some other ideas (hope they are not too late...):
• You'll Never Walk Alone - Nina Simone (thanks to Loralyn)
• Celebration-Kool in the Gang (Thanks to Alisa93)
• Go Light Your World - Amy Grant (Thanks to DJForLife)
• Hero - Mariah Carey (Thanks to Lauramarie)
• I Believe I Can Fly - R Kelly (thanks to Loralyn)
• Imagine - John Lennon (Thanks to DJForLife)
• I'll be your Hero Baby - Enrique Iglesias (Thanks to Lauramarie)
• I'll Stand By You - Reba McIntire???? (Thanks to Lauramarie)
• I'm A Brave Little Soldier - Dolly Parton (Thanks to Lauramarie)
• I'm Alive - Celine Dion (Thanks to Lauramarie)
• I'm Still Standing - Billy Joel (Thanks to Lauramarie)
• On my Way - Phil Collins, from the Brother Bear Soundtrack (Thanks to Alisa93)
• Stand By Me - Same Cooke (thanks to Loralyn)
• Survivor - Destiny's Child (Thanks to Lauramarie)
• The Rose - Bette Midler (thanks to Loralyn)
• The Theme From Rocky (thanks to DJForLife)
• Walk On - U2 (Thanks to DJForLife)
• What a Wonderful Day - Tricia Walker
• Help Is On Its Way - Little River Band (thanks to Loralyn)
• I Can Help - Billy Swan (thanks to Loralyn)
• Let Me Be There - Olivia Newton John (thanks to Loralyn)
• Put A Little Love In Your Heart - Jackie Deshannon (thanks to Loralyn)
• There You Are-Martina McBride (Thanks to Alisa93)
• Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler (Thanks to DJForLife)
• You've Got A Friend - James Taylor (thanks to Loralyn)
• Amazing Grace - LeeAnn Rimes - (thanks to Peggy B.!)
• Fields of Gold - Eva Cassidy version - This is especially meaningful because Eva Cassidy is a wonderful singer who died of cancer several years ago
• Go Light Your World - Amy Grant (thanks to DJForLife)
• He's My Son - by Mark Schultz
• I Believe - Diamond Rio (Thanks to Lauramarie and IRelay4Doug)
• Imagine - John Lennon (Thanks to DJForLife and Peggy B.!)
• In My Life - CSN (Thanks to DJForLife - he says "it's slower than the Beatles' original")
• Keep the Candle Burning - Point of Grace (thanks to ClayCoTx)
• Live - Celine Dion (thanks to Lauramarie)
• Say Goodnight, Not Goodbye - Beth Nielsen Chapman
• Stand - Rascal Flatts (thanks to Penny)
• Testify To Love - Wynonna (thanks to Loralyn)
Even if you can't use any of these, maybe they will give some others some ideas... People have shared these ideas with me over the years.
list
Thanks! The list of songs that you provided is where I first got the idea of what songs to use. There are so many good ones, but I don't want to overuse some of the constantly used ones....but then I consider that since my community has never done a scripted Ceremony, that the folks attending won't have heard these songs before in this context.
Thanks!!!
Don't forget to check out
Don't forget to check out the Music Page right here on RelayForLife.org. Just hover over Relay Resources and click on the "Music Page" link. You can see the suggestions (made by volunteers) and listen to them...as well as click on links so you can purchase some of them on iTunes.
Joined: 2007-03-05