Judy Collins

Growing up in the sixties and seventies, I learned that music was a barometer for our social climate.  When Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell or Judy Collins sung a ballad, they were offering commentary on what Dylan noted  “the times that were a changing.” Music has a mission.  Its not just pretty notes strung together, making a melody.  It is designed to capture and move the listener to new heights of inspiration.  Mozart, Gershwin, Louie Armstrong, Chuck Berry and Elvis each brought attention to our social consciousness. They spoke through music and illustrated how artists express the hopes, sorrows and dreams of the times. Some recording artists of the sixties and seventies succumb to the tumultuous era and did not evolve into the new millennium.  Others, such as Judy Collins, steeped in her social activism and humanitarian efforts, have made the transition remarkably well.  

For forty years, Judy Collins has been a folk icon.  Her dulcet tones have brought blissful moments to her concertgoers and her poetic lyrics have helped us make our dreams come true. The legendary singer was honored in 1999 with an honorary doctorate degree of the Fine Arts from the New School University. In the commencement address, it was acknowledged that,” Judy Collins, a singer, songwriter and treasured voice of conscience has an extraordinary gift to be the clear moral compass through the alchemy of art, and has inescapability measured the progress of our world.  Year after year we experience the restoring power of ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Chelsea Morning.’ ’Masters of War’ and ‘Walls’ rekindle our compassion and the will and finally- you, Judy Collins, give dignity to the unsung victims of our most painful wars.  Over the years, lasting and poignant connections are made by ‘The Song for Sarajevo’ that the struggle against unjust wars is never over.”  Participating in the opening ceremonies of the 100th Anniversary of The Hague Peace Conference in 1999, Judy Collins was also honored for her dedication to disseminating messages of hope and peace.

Thirty albums, numerous top ten hits, gold and platinum selling records and a few Grammy nominations have all been credited to Judy Collins.  In addition, she has written a book entitled ‘Singing Lessons’ and has become a UNICEF Special Representative for the Arts.  She has also been commissioned by NASA to compose and perform a song for Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a Space Shuttle.  Judy performed this song, ‘Beyond The Sky,’ a tribute to women in space, at a pre-flight briefing on the 30th Anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing.

I recently heard Judy sing at the Sunshine Concert Series at FAU.  She was poised and prolific as she ambled through the decades performing her renditions of ‘Both Sides Now’ ‘Send in the Clowns’ and ‘Albatross.’ We had a few minutes to talk about her life. “I am a solution oriented person” she told me, “and I don’t spend time focusing on the problems.  I offer ways for us to make changes and make things happen.  It is important to be aware of what we focus on.  I focus on keeping an open mind.”   “Look,“ she continued, “ people are angry, jealous, envious, and fearful.  There are a lot of angry people running around, so we have to make choices.  How are we going to be different?  How will we discipline ourselves to stay open?  I work diligently to keep a positive attitude,” she offered, “so I exercise, meditate, go to church and generally trust that life works.  It is all part of my personal philosophy and this is what makes us really successful in life.”  

I considered what Judy was offering and realized that within her poetic lyrics, she illustrates a humanitarian approach to living a happy and successful life.  I looked up some of her songs and the words were moving.  They express the truth about who we are and how we think.  It’s not a rosy picture.  We all know how easy it is to get caught up in negative thinking or harmful behavior.  And yet, Judy Collins is truly a solution-oriented person. She offers hope. She believes in the human spirit.  In her song, The Life You Dream, she reminds us that,

There is a time that comes every morning
When you choose the kind of day you will have
It comes in with the sun and you know you’ve begun
To live the life you dream.
You light all your candles to the dawn
And surrender yourself to the sunrise
You can’t make it wrong you can make it right
You can live the life you dream.


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