Picking Up the Pieces, by Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman

Picking Up the Pieces

by Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman

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In memory of Brenda MacIntyre’s son, Quinn Taylor, this album features 2 songs inspired by Quinn’s trap music. The album weaves between indigenous hand drum singing and a fusion of hand drumming, roots reggae, hip hop, funk and soul. Brenda’s raw power vocals range from an edgy soulful tone to a tone that brings a healing softness.

This album was created in ceremony to allow the songs to be infused with specific intentions, emotions and healing energy. This infusion allows the listener to feel love, connection and joy alongside feelings of grief, chronic pain, trauma or an identity crisis.

Includes unlimited streaming of Picking Up the Pieces via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.	Gotta Be Me 04:04	lyrics	buy track
I've gotta be me, I've gotta be me I' m all I've got so I've gotta be me I've gotta be me, I've gotta be me I'm all I've got so I've gotta be me I can be in harmony With everything that I see around me All I gotta be is me I wish that I could just be free And let go of what's haunting me I gotta be me Oh, just give me some time Gotta remember who I am and everything will be fine 2x CHORUS: I've gotta be me, I've gotta be me I'm all I've got so I've gotta be me niin go eta (I've gotta be me) niin go eta (I've gotta be me) niin eta ndi ow niin eta (I'm all I've got so I've gotta be me) If you knew the truth about The way I feel The fear and doubt You might find out I'm a little like you What if I were to lose control And share with you what's in my soul I just gotta be me Oh, just give me some time Gotta remember who I am and everything will be fine 2x CHORUS x2 Gotta be me, I've got to be me I'm all I've got so I've got to be me Oh I just gotta be me yeah
2.	Feels Like Sunshine 05:39	lyrics	buy track
Waya hiya way hiya Waya hiya ha Waya hiya way hiya Waya hiya ha waya Ya wayaha waya Way heya waya Feels like sunshine Let it fill my Mind and body with light Feels like sunshine Even when I Feel a little blue I know all I've got to do Is let the light come through 5x
3.	Everything I Need 04:04	lyrics	buy track
Sometimes life hits you sideways Is it really another one of those days When I don't wanna face reality So what am I going to do now I don't want to go through this feeling again Feels like another dead end But what if I just need to stop along the way Give myself the time to heal and feel again CHORUS: I've got faith I've got hope I've got Love And I just know That everything I need Is right here Everything I need OJIBWE CHORUS: Debwenjge Gtomgwendam Ndi zaagiwe No gi gaa goon n di yawn Gaawiin ge goon ndi menzsii I know what I want to manifest I meditate and radiate I do my best Why can't the universe take care of the rest I know the law of attraction All I want is soul satisfaction When it's all falling down on me I just breathe It can feel so hard when you don't now what to do But you can be the space for that power to come through CHORUS: I've got faith I've got hope I've got Love And I just know That everything I need Is right here Everything I need OJIBWE CHORUS: Debwenjge Gtomgwendam Ndi zaagiwe No gi gaa goon n di yawn Gaawiin ge goon ndi menzsii It's time to light your fire Stop hiding your desire It's time to light that spark It's time to be who you are Let inspiration lead you To take the action you need to To be free You've got everything you need, yeah CHORUS OJIBWE CHORUS CHORUS OJIBWE CHORUS
4.	Breath of Life 04:31	lyrics	buy track
Ha Ha way ha Yah heya-a hiya-a Awaya ha awaya ha Waya ha awaya ha Waya hey ya_a awaya heya Waya hey ya_a awaya hey Ya way ha awayaha Ya way ha awayaha 4, 5 or 7x
5.	Nothing But Love 03:47	lyrics	buy track
CHORUS: Love Nothing but Love Zaagidwin (Love) Mii eta zaagidwin (Nothing but Love) x2 Why are you holding on You've kept yourself together for far too long Let your tears fall like rain So you can feel at peace again Freedom is within your soul There's really nowhere else to go Gotta let yourself fall apart So you can feel it in your heart CHORUS: Love Nothing but Love Zaagidwin (Love) Mii eta zaagidwin (Nothing but Love) x2 Remember who you are You've been on such a journey and you've come so far I can see the light in you I'll help you through the darkness too Mkwendan e owyin Waasaa gii zhaa Geyaabaa gdi waaskonwe G'gaa wiidokoon dbikak Nothing but Love Nothing but Love ALL of what you feel, it all matters The lives of those we've lost (all) matter The anger, the grief and the pain underneath It's hard to believe but there can be relief Life on this planet can be so ... bittersweet When you reach deep down and feel your heartbeat You will meet - YOU - you will feel the Truth Your tears are the proof - That you are... CHORUS x2: Love Nothing but Love Zaagidwin (Love) Mii eta zaagidwin (Nothing but Love) x2
6.	I Love You 05:33	lyrics	buy track
Waya hiya awayaha awayaha Waya hiya awayaha awayaha Waya hiya waya hiya waya heya hiya a ah Waya hiya waya hiya waya ha awaya I Love you, I see you, I feel you I Love you, I see you, I feel you gdi zaagin (I Love you) gdi waabmin (I see the true you) gdi gchi nenmin (I feel you/have compassion for you) gdi zaagin gdi waabmin gdi gchi nenmin 4, 5 or 7x
7.	Picking Up the Pieces 04:08	lyrics	buy track
CHORUS: Picking up the pieces, of my life, of my life Picking up the pieces, of my life, of my life I don't know what to do Don't know what happened to the life I knew So I'm picking up the pieces Of my life, of my life Sometimes I find myself wondering Will I ever truly be free, So much struggle, so much grief This isn't any way to be, got to find my way to me Letting go is never easy CHORUS: Picking up the pieces, of my life, of my life Picking up the pieces, of my life, of my life I don't know what to do Don't know what happened to the life I knew So I'm picking up the pieces Of my life, of my life Oh I don't want to feel this pain I want to learn to live again I refuse to give up on me Things will never be the same There's no way to explain But it's my life to reclaim Shattered into a million pieces When you were taken from me I had to find my way back home To my hopes and dreams It's not the same without you here But for you I will live freely I'm picking up the pieces Creating a new reality Awaya ha ha ha waya Awaya ha ha Heya ha wayaha Heya hiya ha Awaya ha iya Hey heyaha Waya wayaha OJIBWE CHORUS Ndaapnaanon bmaadziwin bmaadziwin (Picking up the pieces of my life, of my life) Ndaapnaanon bmaadziwin bmaadziwin (Picking up the pieces of my life, of my life) Ndi kendziin ge zhitchgeyaan (I don't know what to do) Ndi kenziin gaa zhiwebak (Don't know what happened to the life I knew) Ngaa daapnaanon (So I'm picking up the pieces) Nbmaadziwinan, Nbmaadziwinan (of my life, of my life) CHORUS: Picking up the pieces, of my life, of my life Picking up the pieces, of my life, of my life I don't know what to do Don't know what happened to the life I knew So I'm picking up the pieces Of my life, of my life
8.	Healing Song 03:46	lyrics	buy track
Way ay hey ya Way ay hey ya Way ay hey ya Way hiyo way hiyo ho way hi ya Hey yo way hi ya Hey yo way hi ya way hey hey yo 7x
9.	Grieve 06:08	lyrics	buy track
CHORUS: Feel the Love (let the Love) Bring the tears (let yourself) Take your time Grieve x2 This is my dedication To all of you who know the devastation of the life of a loved one taken Shot down, never to awaken Forever gone, senselessly silenced By unspeakable violence All of us are left behind to cry We livin' empty space and timeless time CHORUS: Feel the Love (let the Love) Bring the tears (let yourself) Take your time Grieve x2 Always wondering when you're coming back Only to remember that day you were attacked No rhyme, no reason That day your heart stopped beating And now your life journey is completed Your spirit's free and I'm here dreaming Of a day when people stop killing It's time to start truly living the life we were given I'll be singing from my spirit in your memory Moteeezy Productionz, it's you and me Quinn Douglas Taylor, this is your song You are my angel, I know your soul lives on I'll be holding tight to the many memories Even though sometimes the grief brings me to my knees I won't stop the tears from falling To honour you I'm following my highest calling CHORUS: Feel the Love (let the Love) Bring the tears (let yourself) Take your time Grieve x2 I will never forget your big smile Everybody talked about that at the murder trial Your presence in our lives will never be erased You're still with us and all around we see your face All the rage and the emptiness underneath I know sometimes it's impossible to believe That you can ever find any kind of peace I know it's painful but please let yourself grieve CHORUS: Feel the Love (let the Love) Bring the tears (let yourself) Take your time Grieve x2 OJIBWE CHORUS: Kendaan zaagidwin (Feel the Love) Zaabiingyin wdi biidon zaagidwin (Let the Love bring the tears) Wewenaa zhichigen (Let yourself take your time) Maanendmowin, maanendmowin (Grieve, grieve) 4x CHORUS x3
10.	Missing You Memorial Song 02:18	lyrics	buy track
Ya way hey ya ha wayii ya Ya way hey ya ha wayii ya Wayii ya hiya ha wayii ya Wayii ya Wayii ya Hiya waya ha 4, 5 or 7
11.	Love Is All That Matters 04:55	lyrics	buy track
CHORUS: Love is all that matters x2 Mii eta zaaginwin ge panmoyin (Love is all that matters) x2 Take life as a blessing You are a living expression A sacred Creation No more separation Heartbeat to heartbeat connection We need to remember Love is all that matters Love is all that matters All that matters is Love 4x CHORUS: Love is all that matters x2 Mii eta zaaginwin ge panmoyin (Love is all that matters) x2 Seems up is my only direction I gotta feel, gotta let ourselves feel to be free Life isn't always easy It's time for an end to the violence You and I can end the lifetime sentence of pain By letting ourselves feel again Love is all that matters All that matters is Love 4x CHORUS: Love is all that matters x2 Mii eta zaaginwin ge panmoyin (Love is all that matters) x2 Mii eta zaaginwin ge panmoyin (Love is all that matters) x2 Love is all that matters, all that matters, all that matters is Love x4 CHORUS: Love is all that matters x2 Mii eta zaaginwin ge panmoyin (Love is all that matters) x2 Love is all that matters All that matters is Love 10x
12.	Life After Loss Lullaby 02:52	lyrics	buy track
O we o we ay heya waya hiya O we o we ay heya waya hiya A waya ha waya heya ha way heya O we o way heya ha way heya 4, 5 or 7x
13.	Living Past The Limits 03:44	lyrics	buy track
Living past the limits, past the limits, past the limits of the world that we can see Living past the limits, past the limits, past the limits of this reality Many seeds were planted by our ancestors To nourish humanity We were meant to take care of each other Live our lives in harmony Everywhere I go I see so many possibilities Deep down you know We can override our history CHORUS: Living past the limits, past the limits, past the limits of the world that we can see Living past the limits, past the limits, past the limits of this reality Waashme mno-bmaadzin shwiin e waabdamon (Living past the limits of the world that we can see) Waashme ndi kotaamgwaandom (Living past the limits of this reality) Waashme mno-bmaadzin shwiin e waabdamon Waashme ndi kotaamgwaandom You can return To the sacred fire of creativity Just a little bit of patience and time To get to the Love that's underneath Don't give up on life No matter how many tears you cry Might feel like the darkness of night But together we can find the Light Living past the limits, past the limits, past the limits of the world that we can see Waashme mno-bmaadzin shwiin e waabdamon (Living past the limits of the world that we can see) Waashme ndi kotaamgwaando

about

If you purchase the full album, take your receipt to pickingupthepiecesproject.com and get a FREE companion eBook with lyrics, spiritual teachings and the story of each song.

The songs on this album weave between Indigenous hand drum singing and a fusion of the hand drumming, conscious roots reggae, hip hop, funk and soul, with Brenda’s transformative vocals ranging from edgy soulful raw power to lilting healing softness.

Just like Brenda’s last 3 albums, this one was created in ceremony, infused with specific intentions and emotional and healing energy. The music is infused with energy medicine, stories and emotion to help people to feel love, connection and joy even alongside grief, chronic pain, identity crisis, anxiety or trauma.

The album is about all of what grief brings: the messiness, shock, pain, anger, sadness, love that has nowhere to go – acknowledging all of the emotions and experience – and giving yourself permission to also have joy, laughter, fun and come back to life when you’re ready, piece by piece, moment by moment, to see what’s on the other side of life after loss. I’m not trying to say “it gets better over time” or to “move on with your life” (hell NO) but rather that you can hold space for all of it, and gradually feel more and more of the good feelings. Picking Up the Pieces is about literally falling apart and then picking up the pieces of you and your life piece by piece, choosing where to fit the pieces now, which ones to pick up, which ones to leave behind or save for later, which pieces of you need support and extra love.

credits

released September 13, 2019

01 Gotta Be Me
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (Lead & Background Vocals, Shaker), Bryden Gwiss (Hand Drum), Errol Starr Francis (Keyboards, Guitar), Isax Injah (Saxophone), Jay “Crystal Finger” Stiles (Organ), Linford (LA) Allen (Bass), Odel Johnson (Drum Kit), Tim Stokes-Rees (Guitar)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis; Sam Weller
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

02 Feels like Sunshine
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (All vocals and percussion)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

03 Everything I Need
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (Lead & Background Vocals, Shaker), Carl Harvey (Lead Guitar), Errol Starr Francis (Keyboards, Guitar), Isax Injah (Saxophone), Linford (LA) Allen (Bass), Odel Johnson (Drum Kit), Tim Stokes-Rees (Guitar)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis; Sam Weller
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

04 Breath of Life
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (All vocals and percussion)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

05 Nothing but Love
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (Lead & Background Vocals, Breath), Bryden Gwiss (Hand Drum), Errol Starr Francis (Keyboards, Programming, Guitar, Piano), Isax Injah (Flute, Saxophone), Jay “Crystal Finger” Stiles (Organ), Linford (LA) Allen (Bass), Odel Johnson (Drum Kit), Tim Stokes-Rees (Guitar)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis; Sam Weller
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

06 I Love You
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (All vocals and percussion)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

07 Picking Up the Pieces
• Run Time: 4:08
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (Lead & Background Vocals, Breath, Shaker, Big Drum), Bryden Gwiss (Hand Drum), Errol Starr Francis (Keyboards, Guitar), Heather Clear Wind (Big Drum), Isax Injah (Saxophone), Linford (LA) Allen (Bass), Odel Johnson (Drum Kit)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis; Sam Weller
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

08 Healing Song
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (All vocals and percussion)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

09 Grieve
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (Lead & Background Vocals, Breath, Shaker, Big Drum), Bryden Gwiss (Hand Drum), Errol Starr Francis (Keyboards, Programming, Tambourine), Heather Clear Wind (Big Drum), Linford (LA) Allen (Bass), Odel Johnson (Drum Kit)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis; Sam Weller
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

10 Missing You Memorial Song
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (All vocals and percussion)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

11 Love Is All that Matters
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (Lead & Background Vocals, Shaker), Bryden Gwiss (Hand Drum, Group Chant), Errol Starr Francis (Keyboards, Group Chant), Isax Injah (Flute, Saxophone), Linford (LA) Allen (Bass), Odel Johnson (Drum Kit), Tim Stokes-Rees (Guitar)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis; Sam Weller
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

12 Life After Loss Lullabye
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (All vocals and percussion)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

13 Living Past the Limits
• Artist Name: Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman
• Musicians: Brenda MacIntyre (Lead & Background Vocals, Shaker), Bryden Gwiss (Hand Drum), Errol Starr Francis (Guitar, Piano), Isax Injah (Saxophone), Jay “Crystal Finger” Stiles (Organ), Linford (LA) Allen (Bass), Odel Johnson (Drum Kit), Tim Stokes-Rees (Guitar)
• Producer: Errol Starr Francis
• Engineer: Errol Starr Francis; Sam Weller
• Mixed by: Errol Starr Francis
• Published by: Self/Independent
• Mastered: Andy Krehm, Silverbirch Productions
• Songwriter: Brenda MacIntyre

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Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman image

Brenda MacIntyre, Medicine Song Woman Toronto, Ontario

Juno award-winning singer Brenda MacIntyre aka Medicine Song Woman reached the CBC Searchlight2020 TOP 100, was nominated for the 2019 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize and graced the Toronto Star headlines for her Indigenous reggae and hand drum music made during the murder trial after losing her son. ... more