Easy One and Two Chord Songs for Dances of Universal Peace

(also specified a capella and percussion)

Note: The song list you're seeking is found at the end of this introduction.
An estimated 60-80% of Dances of Universal Peace (DUP) groups are not accompanied by music.
90% of beginning guitar players give up because the instrument is so difficult to learn. Physical problems such as carpal tunnel or arthritis, and a minimum of 2-3 years for basic proficiency, make playing guitar impossible for many.

The author is compiling this ongoing blog list as a way for beginning musicians to have success and encouragement playing music for Dances. Songs with 1 or 2 chords are exponentially easier than attempting 3+ chords. This is kindergarten for Dance music.

Simple music shouldn't be thought a less effective Dance experience. Easier tunes often accompany complex Dance movements. Some of our most profound Dances have simple chording (such as Saadi's "Heart Sutra"). Any song may require thousands of repetitions for mastery leading it's Dance. Leaders Guild advice is for participants to only remember the Dance itself, not musicianship.

Choosing a simpler instrument than guitar such as amplified ukulele, tenor guitar strung for ukulele, or autoharp (which this author plays) makes things much easier, and may be the only possible way for those afflicted with arthritis or hand injuries. Playing guitar using simplified chords found online will never be as powerful as traditional finger "yoga chords", but the author encourages you to check this beginner option out if needed... A simpler dreaded "F chord" is possible! Most Dances officially listed for open guitar tuning (providing luscious guitar drone) often sound fine with instruments playing standard tuning (indeed are often performed that way by accomplished DUP musicians). Songs impossible to translate from open to standard tuning (and vice versa) will instantly sound wretched attempted with incompatible tuning schemes. Bottom line: Experiment and have FUN!

Dances of Universal Peace are blessed with many superlative musicians. Don't be cowed; everyone starts as beginner. You'll find most all Leaders happy to answer questions and give advice. Elementary musical efforts can maintain rhythm and keep people in tune. Many groups thrive with solo drumming. Remember founder of the Dances, Murshid Samuel L. Lewis, had zero musical training and sang far out of tune.

Official advice to only lead songs directly experienced remains: "Leaders Guild members agree to download Dance Resource Library materials only for their own use and may share these materials with dance leaders and musicians as necessary. Please remember the intentions that the spiritual transmission of the Dances to be experiential, passed from one human being to another, and that Dances not be learned and presented from written materials alone."

Clearly, Dance write-ups are not a secret restricted to Leaders Guild members. Before joining the Leaders Guild, this author was given write-ups by Leaders seeking to kindle enthusiasm within our local circle. Never abuse such trust. Go for the spiritual gold.

Nothing prevents anyone from playing, whistling or singing any Dance song they desire. If not Leading directly, strive for Oneness through accompaniment. This author's personal goal is to have MORE people playing MORE music at MORE Dances.

Song titles in this reference are in alphabetical order with access to music and Dance directions (most often official write-ups restricted to members of the Leaders Guild). Never trust what you see on YouTube. Unfortunately, unofficial YouTube Dance videos are often a library of mistakes to avoid.

This ongoing blog is by no means an exhaustive list of all easier songs. Feel free to contact this author with suggestions for Dance songs to add (1 and 2 chords, also originator approved a capella and percussion only). Because of the internet web, printing this growing reference guarantees obsolescence. Simply bookmarking this online source is recommended.

Infinite Love!

Chris Englund

MountainSufi (attttt) gmail.com

****************************

Alphabetical Listing of 1 and 2 Chord Songs

For Dances of Universal Peace
(also specified a capella and percussion)

All My Relations:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Ama Usum Gal Ana:
Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: 
www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp
Note: I suspect the official recording is played standard tuning rather than originator specified open tuning.

Anta'l Hadi, Anta'l Haqq:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Anta’l Hadi/Zikr Dance:

“Dances of Universal Peace Volume Two Instruction Booklet” (out of print)

Apple Orchard Zikr:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Aramaic Lord's Prayer (this can be done with 2 chords, but may sound better with more)

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

As-salaam Aleikum:

"Show me the Path" Booklet and CD, by Arienne and Wim van der Zwan:

http://www.peaceinmotion.info/main/index.php?id=59&page=Peace%20in%20Motion%20Shop&taal=&taalAlle=uk#CD'sAnc

As Salaam Aleikum Duet (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

As Salaam Aleikum Greeting Dance (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Bismillah Round: AmDm
Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Basira Bismillah:

“Show me the Path” Booklet and CD, by Arienne and Wim van der Zwan

http://www.peaceinmotion.info/main/index.php?id=59&page=Peace%20in%20Motion%20Shop&taal=&taalAlle=uk#CD'sAnc

Beloved Zikr:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Be Ye Lamps Unto Yourselves: 
Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Bismillah Dance with Partners (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Blue Moon Cycle:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Chief Seattle Cycle:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Children’s Vows (A capella):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Christ Child Lullaby:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Come, Come, Whoever You Are:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Condolences Dance:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Dance of the Celestial Bodies:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Dervish Cycle of Dances (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Easter Bismillah:

“Show me the Path” Booklet and CD, by Arienne and Wim van der Zwan

http://www.peaceinmotion.info/main/index.php?id=59&page=Peace%20in%20Motion%20Shop&taal=&taalAlle=uk#CD'sAnc

Echad Yachid U-m'yuchad:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Fatima Dance:

“Show me the Path” Booklet and CD, by Arienne and Wim van der Zwan

http://www.peaceinmotion.info/main/index.php?id=59&page=Peace%20in%20Motion%20Shop&taal=&taalAlle=uk#CD'sAnc

Full Moonlight Dance:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Goddess Cycle:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Goddess is Alive (Majic is Afoot):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Grace Kyrie:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Haida, Haida

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Hare Krishna Hare Rama Dance (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Harmonic Kalama:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Heart Sutra Dance (Gate):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Ho Ike Mai:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Hoof and Horn:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Hu Allah Hu Line Dance:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Humata Hukhata Huvarshta:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Introductory Bismillah (SAM Dance):
Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Invocation to White Buffalo Woman (A capella):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

It is Perfect (A capella):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

I Woke Up This Morning With The Sun in My Heart:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Introductory Bismillah (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Jewel Lotus Flower:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Krishna Rama Raga:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Kwaheri (percussion only):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Kwan Zeon Bosai:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Kyrie Partners Dance (Kyrie Eleison Partner Dance:
Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Light upon Light:

“Show me the Path” Booklet and CD, by Arienne and Wim van der Zwan

http://www.peaceinmotion.info/main/index.php?id=59&page=Peace%20in%20Motion%20Shop&taal=&taalAlle=uk#CD'sAnc

Love is the Healing Power (a capella):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Mantra Dance of Tara:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

May All Beings Be Well:
(the easiest 3 chord song out there)
Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

My Lord Is A Rock:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Namo Amida Butsu:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Narun Allah Nur:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Neesa Neesa:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Nembutsu Dance (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Om Gum Ganapataye:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Also freely available song and instructions from Bernie
Heideman's "Songs Prayers and Chants":
www.bernieheideman.com/music-and-dvd


Om Ha Ksa Ma La Va Ra Yam Swaha
Freely available song and instructions from Bernie
Heideman's "Songs Prayers and Chants":
www.bernieheideman.com/music-and-dvd
Note: Contrary to his write-up, Bernie plays this using Gm Eb.

Om, Mani Padme Hum (this can be done with 1 chord, but may sound better with more):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Om Mani Peme Hung:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Om Mani Peme Hung Hri:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Om Mani Padme Hum Prayer Wheel:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Om Namah Shivaya Square Dance (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Om Nama Shivaya:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Om Ram Ramaya Swaha:
Not listed in the Leaders Guild Resource library.

Available from Bernie Heideman’s “Songs, Prayers and Chants”:

http://www.bernieheideman.com/music-and-dvd/

Om Tara Dance:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Panchanamaskaras:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Peaceful Steps:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Rahmat Dance (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Ram Nam Dance for Circles of Five (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Ram Nam Partner Dance (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Ram Nam Snake Dance (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Rasul Dance (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Rose Dance (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Salaam Khaliq Allah:
Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Seed of God:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Sha Noon (rattle accompaniment only):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Shiva Shakti Dance:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Sita Ram Bolo Pyare:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Tashi Delek - Our Pledge of Friendship:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Thousand-Armed Chenrezig Dance:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Through This Little Light:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Uma Mariam:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Ungawa (rattle accompaniment only)

“Dances of Universal Peace Volume Five Instruction Booklet”

Winter Solstice Chant:

Winter Solstice Dance:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Ya Hayyo Ya Qayyum

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Ya Hayy, Ya Haqq Dance (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Ya Hayy, Ya Haqq Progressive Dance (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Ya Muhammad Abdullah (SAM Dance):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

You’re My Mother:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Yemanja (drum only as accompaniment):

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

You’re My Mother”:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp

Zikr on a Polish Hymn:

Available from Leaders Guild Resource library: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/leaders/login.asp