by Francie La Flow

Have you ever heard a song that resonated so deeply with your soul that it felt like it chose you?

Like a friend, the song stays with you, dances through your days, and becomes a companion you get to meet over and over again every time you share it.

I’ve been having an amazing back-and-forth conversation with my dear friend Lulu about this—what it really means to be a songcarrier. What it means to not just sing a song, but to hold it, honour it, and carry it with intention and integrity.

This is an ongoing inquiry for me. I don’t have all the answers. But I want to ask the questions, sit with the nuances, and invite conversation about this path.

A songcarrier is not just someone who sings songs—they are someone who holds them with care.

They understand that songs are more than melodies and lyrics. Songs are living prayers, bodies of energy, codes that travel from the formless to the form. They carry stories, emotions, and transmissions that connect us to something greater.

Some of the most powerful songs we hear in heartsong circles, medicine music gatherings, and ceremonial spaces come from deeply rooted Indigenous traditions—like the Yawanawá people, the Red Road, and other medicine paths.

And so, when we receive a song, how do we hold it in a good way?

How do we honour the lineage it comes from, the person who channelled it, and the spirit of the song itself?

There’s a spectrum when it comes to carrying and sharing songs:

🎶 On one end → Singing any song freely, in any way, as a way to build confidence and find expression.

🎶 On the other end → Deep reverence, understanding the lineage, and asking: How can I get out of the way and allow myself to be a channel for this song?

And somewhere in between is the question: What is the most respectful, authentic, and appropriate way to share this song?

Songs are not just for us—they are for the collective. But that doesn’t mean we can share them however we want.

Some guiding questions I sit with:
✨ What is my intention in singing this song?
✨ Am I honouring the lineage or source it came from?
✨ Have I taken the time to learn the correct words, melody, and meaning?
✨ Have I received permission from the artist or tradition, if needed?
✨ Am I singing this with heart, purity, and integrity?

Singing a song from another tradition isn’t inherently disrespectful. But there’s a difference between carrying a song with care and merely performing it.

There’s a difference between honouring the roots and diluting the depth.

And we can feel the difference when someone is truly carrying a song, versus when they are just singing it.

One of the most beautiful things about this path is that we don’t have to navigate it alone.

We can go to the source—to the artists, to the elders, to the teachers, to the ones who received these songs as transmissions.

I am deeply grateful to be personally connected to many of the voices and carriers of these sacred songs. And I’ve learned that taking the time to receive a song in its full depth brings so much beauty, reverence, and understanding.

🎶 Learn the story behind the song—Who received it? What does it mean? How is it traditionally shared?
🎶 Receive permission when necessary—Some songs are meant to be passed down with care.
🎶 Accept guidance & correction—It can be humbling to be told we’re singing something slightly wrong, but it’s also a beautiful way to deepen our relationship with the song.
🎶 Honour the song’s spirit—Are you singing it with integrity, in the right setting, with the right heart?

And if you do share a song, consider honouring the original channel or artist. Recording an album can cost anywhere between $10,000–$35,000, and the direct financial return is often peanuts in comparison to the love and effort put into birthing these songs into the world.

If it’s available to you, offering a financial token of gratitude can be a meaningful way to give back and support the artists who dedicate their lives to sharing this medicine.

This isn’t about creating rigid rules around music—it’s about creating a culture of respect, reverence, and responsibility.

If you feel called to share songs with heart, depth, and authenticity, this is a path you can walk with intention.

✨ Step into your voice. It can be scary to share your voice—especially if you fear getting it “wrong.” But the more you sing, the more you will feel what’s aligned.

✨ Trust when a song is meant for you. Some songs arrive like gifts, whispering to you to carry them forward. Others may not be yours to hold. The more you listen, the more you will know.

✨ Commit to learning in a good way. Whether it’s deepening your understanding of a lineage, refining your pronunciation, or reaching out to a song’s source, small actions can make a big difference.

✨ Sing with confidence, humility, and devotion. Carry the song with the same love and care as the person who received it.

If this resonates with you, and you want to go deeper into finding your voice, unlocking your authentic expression, and stepping into your power as a songcarrier…

🎶 Enrolment is open for my 3-month program: Awaken Your Authentic Voice.

This is for you if you’re ready to:
💜 Build confidence in your voice & release self-doubt
💜 Sing with full-body presence, trust, and authenticity
💜 Honour and carry songs in a way that feels deeply aligned
💜 Tap into your voice as a spiritual, creative, and healing practice

🌿 Or check out The Yoga Song Soundbook—a collection of mantras & songs to help you unlock your voice and step into the beauty of shared music.

📩 DM me or click the link in my bio to start your journey.

This is an open conversation. I don’t have all the answers, but I’d love to hear from you.

💬 What are your thoughts on carrying songs with integrity? How do you navigate this path? Let’s start the conversation in the comments below.

💜✨ Sing freely, sing with care, and sing from the heart.