Hold On

Native American composer/singer/guitarist Phillip White Hawk has been writing songs about America almost all of his life and has over 300 songs in the Phillip White Hawk Collection, including HOLD ON!. Portraying Phil's beautiful song is Connie Bellet's meaningful depiction in oils of Native American symbols. The nest is made of human hands and forearms showing diverse ages and races; the egg in the "nest" is the earth; and the eagle is bringing the peace pipe to the nest. In such a beautiful way, we are shown how to "Hold on together every day." The rhythmic variety in the main vocal line of Hold On! is both challenging and intriguing. It is, in all cases, a direct vocal response to the original guitar part developed by Phil. In fact, the two elements are so closely interlinked that it would be hard to determine which came first, or if both occurred simultaneously, each responding to the other. This arrangement for chorus maintains each of these elements and attempts to remain as true as possible to Phil's original recording. Rhythm parts are available for bass and guitar. Optional percussion may include shakers or shakers simulated with brushes on snare drum, while playing verses in "half-time" feel and the choruses in "double-time." The original TTBB version and an SATB version are available from the publisher.