Welcome! This music is intended to help mend rifts within ourselves, our families, our communities, and the world. The songs are love letters to all those seekers and soul spelunkers yearning to sing their way through tumultuous times, with tuneful tonics, hum-eopathic harmonies and resonant remedies.

The song order is intentional -- I hope you'll imagine the possibility of a transcendent journey, and experiment with traveling through them as they are laid out. Let me know how it goes -- write to Billy@BillyJonas.com.

LISTEN TO BRIDGING DIVIDES as you read the liner notes:

• PREVIEW: for free! Go to my Bandcamp page, and check it out as you read.

• CD: If you have the CD, you're all set! You can order it on Bandcamp here.

• DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: Also at Bandcamp here.

• STREAMING: go here and pick one of the streaming platforms (Spotify, Amazon Music, Youtube Music, etc)

COMPANION BOOKLET: Here is a link to the full color BRIDGING DIVIDES Companion Booklet with lyrics, liner notes, and lots of photos (physical copies available for purchase -- email office@BillyJonas.com)

Or, you can see all the text below. You'll find:

• Info about those who "co-missioned" or sponsored the songs

• Lyrics and songwriting credits

• Musician credits

• Studio/engineering credits

• Thanks and Acknowledgements

Enjoy!

Billy

1. OPEN ALL THE DOORS AND WINDOWS

Based on my “Co-Mission” intake interview with two people that contacted me from the Maria Montessori Language and Culture Center, in Seattle WA, I wrote a lovely song on the piano, called “The Recipe.” It contained a step by step recipe for creating more equitable and wholistic multi-generational learning experiences. They loved it… until they played it for an advisory committee, who did not love it. Back to the drawing board! One morning shortly after, while out on a walk, the chorus of the song below came through. I got a thumbs up, and we built from there.

While workin’ on the building that we are, how do we balance curiosity with clarity, openness with boundaries,
and self-sufficiency with interdependence?

Chris Rosser/Hollow Reed Studio - production, percussion
Shane McCord - engineering
Billy Jonas - vocals, re-percussion, marimba
Ashley Jo Farmer - vocals,
Juan Holladay - vocals, re-percussion
Sherman Hoover - vocals, re-percussion
Reggie Headen - vocals
Matt Nakoa - vocals, re-percussion

Lyrics:

It’s a brand new day, welcome to your brand new place
I love the way you found your way, made yourself a sacred space
Standing on solid ground, fit into your frame just right
But it's gonna tumble down, If you're holding on too tight — you know that’s right, so…

Open all the doors and windows
Let the world move through you
Open all the doors and windows — comin’ on through!

When the joy begins, how you gonna sort it through?
As you let the world come in, so you let the leaves in too
Now you go clean and sweep, try to find the precious ones
There's wisdom in the things you keep to put up in the morning sun — so much fun to…

Open all the doors and windows
Let the world move through you
Open all the doors and windows — comin’ on through!

Calling on the winds of change, the winds of hope
To bring the healing rain — may we all get soaked

Here’s the cold wet truth: hard to warm it on your own
Welcome in a friend or two, now you’ve made your self a home
They can help fill the gaps, add a little extra room
Show you when to look out back, in time to see the garden bloom — none too soon to…

Open all the doors and windows
Let the world move through you
Open all the doors and windows — comin’ on through!



2. LAILA ROSE

©2025 by Billy Jonas / Bang-A-Bucket Music (BMI)

The world is a very narrow bridge… between childhood and adulthood… from one decision to the next. A song inspired by my daughter, Laila Rose, and a quote from Kahlil Gibran: “Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh, and the greatness which does not bow before children.”
“Jackal and giraffe,” is a reference to two opposite styles of communication – loving and compassionate, versus angry and judgemental – described by Marshall Rosenberg in his model for Non-Violent Communication (NVC).

Billy Jonas - vocals, piano, percussion
Chris Rosser - production, mixing, percussion
Ashley Jo Farmer - vocals
Luke Taylor - vocals, guitar, percussion, engineering
Laila Rose Jonas - vocals

Lyrics:

Laila — help me learn to dance
Laila — lovely second chance
Rain and snow, and river flow, see the fish swim beneath the ice
Open eyes and bubble’s rise, make a wish and set them free

Laila — teach me how to smile
Laila — might take a little while
Morning spreads of spider webs, see the dew: diamonds on a string
Worms and slugs, and lacewing bugs born anew, filling up the spring

Laila — show me how to laugh
Laila — jackal and giraffe
Twinkle toes and button nose, reaching out, teardrops in the night
Buds and thorns, and unicorns through the clouds, take me to the light

Laila Rose, twinkle toes, button nose, how she grows ….



3. TOUCH AND GO

©2025 by Billy Jonas / Bang-A-Bucket Music (BMI)

Sponsored by Congregation Beth HaTephila, Asheville, whose work is to teach Torah and to nurture a brighter, more loving world, from generation to generation.

Though “touch and go” traditionally implies uncertainty, here you are invited to hold both the literal and colloquial meanings simultaneously… for the joy of elucidation through sonic alchemy. The work of building a better world can seem so tenuous. This song wants to name and galvanize that effort. I’m curious what bridges might be inspired through singing our way into this collective and holy endeavor, and nurturing the next wave…. And forging the future.

Billy Jonas - vocals, percussion
Chris Rosser - production, percussion
Ashley Jo Farmer - vocals
Juan Holladay - vocals, percussion
Sherman Hoover - vocals, percussion
Shane McCord - vocals
Justin Perkins - N’goni
Adam Johnson - engineering

Lyrics:

“comparison is the thief of joy”
“runners on your mark … get set… go!”
Left RIGHT left RIGHT side by SIDE all day and NIGHT
all ONE do it til it’s DONE by the moon SUN roll and RUN!

Everybody’s on a path. Everybody do the math
Move together when its wide. Run out of room, fall in line
if you don't know where you fit. If you think you wanna quit
Put ‘em up and pick a pace. It’s a relay race
Oh, hold the torches high
Let them fill the sky
Love will grow
Touch and go!
Oh, every light is lit
On your marks get set
Mountains glow
Touch and go!
L’dor vador!

As you run around the track. Reaching out and reaching back.
Take a torch and pass it on. Help another move along.
Torch of wisdom shining bright. Torch of wonder in the night.
Friend or foe or family, Light the legacy.
Oh, hold the torches high
Let them fill the sky
Love will grow
Touch and go!
Oh, every light is lit
On your marks get set
Mountains glow
Touch and go!
L’dor vador!

Tell another all you know, wind ‘em up and watch ‘em go
Take a torch and pass it on, help another move along
If you don’t know where you fit, if you think you wanna quit
Put ‘em up and pick your pace; it's a relay race

Oh, hold the torches high
Let them fill the sky
Love will grow
Touch and go!
Oh, every light is lit
On your marks get set
Mountains glow
Touch and go!
L’dor vador!

Skip HOP tip TOP flip FLOP boogie boogie BOP!
Fast SLOW hi LOW flex FLOW -- Touch and go!



4. SCAVENGER HUNT

©2022 by Billy Jonas / Bang-A-Bucket Music (BMI)

Commissioned by James and Lauren, to celebrate the wedding of Mira and Max.

Max and Mira’s first date was a scavenger hunt, that Max put together. Ostensibly it was to end up at dinner. Somehow it turned into something more extensive. Who knew? My friends tell me, “You don’t have to figure it all out. You just have to figure out the next step.” What a great opportunity to be both playful, and diligent, and celebrate the journey.

Billy Jonas - vocals, guitar
Chris Rosser - production/engineering/mixing
River Guerguerian - drums & percussion
Ashley Jo Farmer - vocals
Ric Hordinski - guitars

Lyrics:

Scavenger hunt – ready set go
Pieces and parts – make up the whole
Treasure to find – dare to be bold
Put on your gloves – brace for the cold
Take a friend through the snow, one you trust — shake up the globe
Getting close, time to choose; how to know? Here are the clues:


A time… a taste
Divine… a grace — to
Find… a face
A mind, a heart, embrace
A love, a love….

Wind in your face – hand in your hand
Gotta look out – gotta look in
Riddle to solve – follow the flow
Gather them up – let them all go
Spring will come, flowers bloom, warm the soil, under the moon
Through the dark, to the light, treasure glows, keep it in sight

Up to the edge – onto the pier
Water below – into the clear
Morning has come – open your eyes
Take it all in – what a surprise
Something’s changed, something new, something old, borrowed and blue
Now the truth, coming through: every clue, leading to you


This time… this taste
Divine… this grace — to
Find… this face
This mind, this heart embrace
This love, this love….
Scavenger hunt – ready set go
Pieces and parts – make up the whole
Treasures to find – take off your gloves
Look what you found – someone to love



5. OUR BODIES ARE THE TECHNOLOGY

©2025 by John Daniel Holladay, Super Solar Records/ASCAP, and Billy Jonas / Bang-A-Bucket Music (BMI)

Sponsored by Samambaya Music and The Butters, in honor of the sacred work of Da A Luz Wise Woman Oasis in Cigarrones, Spain – "Changing birth all around Europe with extraordinary communities educating midwives, doulas and birthkeeper in the sacred art of midwifery." Is there a more powerful body technology on this planet than that which gives birth? Can I get an amen?! Here’s to connecting ancient wisdom with contemporary awareness.

Billy Jonas - vocals, marimba
Chris Rosser - production, percussion
Ashley Jo Farmer - vocals, percussion
Juan Holladay - vocals, percussion
Sherman Hoover - vocals, bass
Adam Johnson - engineering

Lyrics:

Come one come all and witness the greatest technological marvel of the known universe:
YOU — with the power to move mountains and reproduce,
YOU - the sum total of human evolutionary advancement, a cornucopious galaxy of cells —
EACH ONE a magical mystical microcosmic manifestation machine, broadcasting and receiving divine designs, because YOU are a dancing dreaming antenna to the stars

Turn off your telephone don’t leave me here along
turn off your radio I like the song you know
Turn off your microwave so we can make some waves
Turn off your television, cuz you are a vision and I’m loving your gaze
chorus: Oh, our bodies, yes our bodies -- are the technology

Turn off your internet, lets see how far we get
Turn off your GPS, this is intuitive
unplug your dvd lets see what we can see
I am a love machine, I run on power clean from a heart pristine
Oh, our bodies, yes our bodies -- are the technology

SO polish your essence, get rid of the planned obsolescence
meditation is the invitiation to your luminescence
living in the age of “memory on the pixilated page”
worlds not your stage, when your stuck in a faraday cage OH!

dependent on a wire, from a coal powered fire
let your soul powered choir take you higher higher higher
too much to remember? Devices needed to render?
Mental fender bender? C’mon “return to sender!”

Make your memory super sonic, with a series of mnemonics
Rhyme and rhythm is the tonic then your recall will be chronic
Translate, transmit, byte the bauds and the bits
Let your totems be your modems, shake and shimmy, this is it!

And our bodies, yes our bodies -- are the technology



6. WEATHER OR NOT

©2025 by Billy Jonas / Bang-A-Bucket Music (BMI)

Sponsored by Larry Enlow and Maureen Kilroy, in support of the Enroy Foundation, a Gulfport, Florida-based 501c(3) nonprofit founded in 2016. Its goals: to promote opportunities for visual and performing artists, broaden integration of the visual and performing arts into the community, and raise awareness that artists should be fairly compensated for their work. www.enroy.org

Billy Jonas - vocals, percussion
Chris Rosser - production, percussion
Ashley Jo Farmer - vocals, re-percussion
Juan Holladay - vocals
Sherman Hoover - bass
Bill Creighton - vocals

Lyrics:

My family and I were making traveling plans, and my neighbors said, “You better slow down man
There’s gonna be weather. Storm’s a-brewin’! You might find your trip get’s ruined”
I smiled and said “I don’t wanna be short, but I’m working off of a different weather report”
“Different weather report? What’s it say?” “Well, I’ll tell you, and it works everyday”

Weather or not! Weather. Or not! It’s gonna get cold, IT’S GONNA GET HOT
Full spectrum is what we’ve got, so here we go … WEATHER OR NOT!

OH OH the wind and snow, feel it blow — here we go
OH OH the rain and sun, turn it on — here we come

WEATHER OR NOT

Weather or not you’re ready, or unprepared, whether or not you’re calm, or feeling scared
The best thing you can possibly do — What’s that? — start expecting something new
Winds of change are bound to blow, sometimes like a tornado
They’ll spin you ‘round and turn you out, cuz that’s what life is all about

Weather or not! Weather. Or not! It’s gonna get cold, IT’S GONNA GET HOT
Full spectrum is what we’ve got, so here we go … WEATHER OR NOT!

OH OH the wind and snow, feel it blow — here we go
OH OH the rain and sun, turn it on — here we come
WEATHER OR NOT

Whether or not you’re the kind who needs rehearsin’, or reassurance from a weather person
Remember: they’ve been wrong before, and they’re bound to be … wrong some more
Though sometimes they do get it right, like when they say, “Today the day will follow the night”
“Chance of boom, chance of bust….” Now that’s a weather report we can trust.
Weather or not! Weather. Or not! It’s gonna get cold, IT’S GONNA GET HOT
Full spectrum is what we’ve got, so here we go … WEATHER OR NOT!
OH OH the wind and snow, feel it blow — here we go
OH OH the rain and sun, turn it on — here we come
WEATHER OR NOT
So weather or not you believe in science, shamanic divination, or intuitive self reliance
Pack an umbrella, pack a hat, and jack, pack a jacket in your backpack
Cuz it’s gonna rain, its gonna snow, sometime this year — maybe tomorrow
Then skies will clear, everybody knows: there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothes
Weather or not! Weather. Or not! It’s gonna get cold, IT’S GONNA GET HOT
Full spectrum is what we’ve got, so here we go … WEATHER OR NOT!
OH OH the wind and snow, feel it blow — here we go
OH OH the rain and sun, turn it on — here we come
WEATHER OR NOT



7. HOW TO PRAY

©2025 by Abraham Jam – Billy Jonas, Bang-A-Bucket Music/BMI; David LaMotte, Lower Dryad Music/ASCAP; Dawud Wharnsby, Enter into Peace/SOCAN

"Co-missioned" by Bill Creighton, in honor of White Horse Black Mountain’s Community Fund, which supports four local nonprofits towards Hurricane Helene relief and rebuilding efforts in Western NC. WhiteHorseBlackMountain.org
And Maine Inside Out, which uses interactive theater to help kids who have gone astray, by turning spectators into "spect-actors" who actively explore and enact solutions to social problems, fostering social change and building long-term sustainable community. MaineInsideOut.org

Billy Jonas - vocals, frame drum
David LaMotte - vocals
Dawud Wharnsby - vocals
Luke Taylor - vocals, double bass, percussion, piano

Lyrics:

Four in the desert… throats were dry, sun was hot, ‘bout to die
First one said, “Today’s the day; our time is up, so let us pray
One sat still, one knelt down, one stood up and sang out loud
Number four began to cry, said “I haven’t ever prayed but It’s worth a try”

First guy looked up to say, “I can show you the way
Talk to God? What you do: just ask and watch as the light shines through
First get quiet, breath the air, don’t just do something – sit there!
Cause God will speak – leave her space. Take another breath and get out the way

That’s how you do it, all there is to it, now you know how to pray
That’s how you do it, all there is to it, there’s nothing more to say

Guy number two, on his knee, said in truth I agree
Words alone make no prayer, could be how we move and where
Stand and face the path ahead, bend and bow, lower your head
Ponder peace upon the ground. That’s where the key to the prayer is found!

Third guy said, hear me out. To talk to God it’s good to shout!
Crash a cymbal bang a drum, lift your voice up to the one
God will know what you mean. Whatever it is God has seen
Rage and cry sing your truth. Spin around, dance and raise the roof!

That’s how you do it, all there is to it, now you know how to pray
That’s how you do it, all there is to it, there’s nothing more to say

Guy number four knelt and bowed, stood and sang, cried out loud
Then got quiet, looked around, pulled the others to the ground
Desert sand made them bend as they slept end to end
There they stayed thru the night, til the dawn brought a blinding light

Came a plane, in the sky, saw their shape from way up high
SOS spelled out clear, circled round and landed near
Was it chance the plane was there? Saved their lives heard their prayer
Go there now, all you’ll find, just the echo of the song that they left behind

That’s how you do it, all there is to it, now you know how to pray
That’s how you do it, all there is to it, there’s nothing more to say
That’s how you do it, all there is to it, now you know how to pray
That’s how you do it, all there is to it, there’s nothing more to say



8. TO THE LIGHT

©2022 by Billy Jonas / Bang-A-Bucket Music (BMI)

"Co-missioned" by Rabbi Randy Fleischer, Central Reform Congregation, St. Louis, as an expansion of the Yotzair Or prayer from morning synagogue liturgy. In honor of CRC’s Refugee Resettlement Program, helping families from Afghanistan and Ukraine find community and connection. AshreiFoundation.org/refugee-resettlement

Billy Jonas - vocals, piano

Lyrics:

To the light, here’s to the light, fly to the light
To the light, straight to the light, fly to the light
Mah ra-bu…. ma’a- se-cha Yah

Shiny, shiny, shiny, tantalizing treasure
Precious as a flame to a moth
Teach me how to love the glow
Without diving for the diamonds in the lava flow
Everyone and everything will always go

To the light, here’s to the light, fly to the light
To the light, straight to the light, fly to the light
Mah ra-bu…. ma’a- se-cha Yah

Glory, glory, glory, radiating wonder
Rising like a queen from the east
Once again I get to learn
Not to lean so hard my sweet caress begins to burn
Dancing in between the two as we return

To the light, here’s to the light, fly to the light
To the light, straight to the light, fly to the light
Mah ra-bu…. ma’a- se-cha Yah

Tiny, tiny, tiny, scintillating ember
Long forgotten song at your core
Sing me, sacred northern star
Shining from the shadows of this broken heart
Lifting through the narrows in a perfect arc


To the light, here’s to the light, fly to the light
To the light, straight to the light, fly to the light
Mah ra-bu…. ma’a- se-cha Yah



9. IN THE BEGINNING, PART I

©2025 by Billy Jonas / Bang-A-Bucket Music (BMI)

Just before the Covid 19 pandemic I developed a wonderful routine of waking up before dawn, jogging to our synagogue (I had a key!), and composing. I created the lyrics and piano music here in fulfillment of a commission from Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Evanston IL. After two rounds of thumbs up, I got a thumbs down – a more folky sing-along song was needed. So I began a new version, which then became another (see song 10. In The Beginning, Pt. II), and tossed this original foundation onto my musical compost heap. It sprouted there, and kept sending out shoots. 4 years later, with encouragement from David Wilcox, Luke Taylor, and Matt Williams, I nurtured it back to robustness. My friend Alex Davis then helped flesh out what I had heard from the beginning – a full orchestral accompaniment. Here’s to compost!

Orchestration: Alex Davis
Choir: Isaac Rockoff, Brett Senor, Sarah Kim Senor, David Anderson, Jane Roman Pitt, David Leader, Jenifer Beck, Channah Van Regenmorter
Billy Jonas - vocals, piano
Luke Taylor - Bowed cymbal

Lyrics:

In the beginning…. In the beginning…. Tohu Vavohu

AND — in the beginning, I trusted you
The world was fresh, and love was new
An open sky, an endless blue
To carry through
Tohu vavohu

Then — in the beginning of brokenness
A sudden edge, a carelessness
A cry for help, into the mist
An emptiness
Tohu vavohu

Here In these arms, what is true
We behold anew
And standing firm, through the end
We begin again

Tohu vavohu
Then — in the beginning, so deep inside
A slow reveal: you cannot hide
The river’s cold, the river’s wide
The other side
Tohu vavohu

Then — In the beginning, how can we know
What to believe, which way to go
The sands will shift, the wind will show
And so it goes
Tohu vavohu

Here In these arms, what is true
We behold anew
And standing firm, through the end
We begin again

Tohu vavohu



10. IN THE BEGINNING, PART II

©2025 by Billy Jonas / Bang-A-Bucket Music (BMI)

"Co-missioned" by Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Evanston IL, in support of their work towards building an equitable world, and nourishing sacred community.

Matt Williams - production/engineering, mixing
Noah Aronson - supplemental engineering
Choir: Adrian Jonas, Laila Rose Jonas, Channah Van Regenmorter, Lynn Rosser, Elana Brody
Billy Jonas - vocals, guitar, percussion
Chris Rosser - percussion, vocals
Luke Taylor - vocals, double bass, drums, percussion, engineering
Coleen Dieker - violin

Lyrics:
In the beginning when all is dark A swirling mass of jagged parts
The only hope within your heart, A place to start
Tohu vavohu … Tohu vavohu...
In the beginning the deepest night inviting you to set your sights
Upon a vague horizon light with all your might
Tohu vavohu … Tohu vavohu...

Can you hear the call whisper when you fall?
Rising through the dawn, a new song

In the beginning, this gathering; the hurting heart, the wounded wing
in praise of all the day may bring we stand and sing:
Tohu vavohu … Tohu vavohu...

In the beginning, we make a vow: To fill our cup, to mend the plow,
With all the strength that love allows Right here and now
Tohu vavohu … Tohu vavohu...

Can you hear the call whisper when you fall?
Rising through the dawn, a new song
Hineini! Hineinu! Aleinu! Up to me, up to you

In the beginning we do what’s just Holding hands with loneliness
We boldly build a bridge of trust Upon the dust of
Tohu vavohu … Tohu vavohu...

In the beginning the words we say Echo on the stones we lay
With hands of light and feet of clay We make our way through
Tohu vavohu … Tohu vavohu...

Can you hear the call whisper when you fall?
Rising through the dawn, a new song
Hineini! Hineinu! Aleinu! Up to me, up to you
Aleinu… Aleinu… Aleinu….



11. THE GUEST HOUSE

Words by Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, translated by Coleman Barks, used by permission. Music by Billy Jonas
©2025 by Billy Jonas / Bang-A-Bucket Music (BMI)

Sponsored by Salima Adelstein/The Farm of Peace, dedicated to the Global Peace (Zawiyah) Network, a 40 day global healing prayer-of-peace retreat, where Guest Houses are established in the hearts and in the earth, as centers of light and love. MarifaFoundation.org/give-today

Billy Jonas - vocals, guitar, percussion
David LaMotte - vocals
Adrian Jonas - vocals
Laila Rose Jonas - vocals
Frances Tanner - vocals
Luke Taylor - vocals, double bass, percussion, engineering
Sam Sadigursky - soprano sax

Lyrics:

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

This being human is a guest house.
E