In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act in 2023, we are proud to bring you the Songs for Species playlist – a mix of original songs written, performed, recorded, and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees. This playlist features music created in 2023 for the ESA 50th celebration, as well as a selection of songs taken from the 2003 Songs of the System Refuge Centennial celebration music CD. All of these songs have an at-risk, threatened, endangered species and conservation-themed message. Our original U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service music is intended to be used as a way of connecting people to nature and the mission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Enjoy!
Credits and lyrics
Peregrine
Music by Mason Wheatley
Wild Alaska
Words by Karen and Michael Boylan
Music by Karen Boylan
Published by Flying Jib Music
Karen Boylan, vocals, guitar
This song comes from Songs of the System, a collection of fish and wildlife songs created and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees and originally released in 2003 in celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial. The effort was led by Greg Thompson and produced by Danny McKeown, Paul Piccari, and Sandy Perchetti at Studio 2000 at the Omniplex in Camden, NJ thanks to the Friends of E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
It’s a wild, wild country, my Alaska,
She’s a cold beauty when it’s forty below.
We got bears on Kodiak and moose on the Kenai,
We got mountain magic with the moon on the snow.
There are great lands in the Great Land
Where you scarce hear human sound,
Where musk ox, wolves, and caribou
Moose and bear abound.
Yukon Delta, Tetlin, Koyukuk and more,
Wild and free, a legacy for rich or poor.
Springtime, shaky calf is born,
His mother standing guard.
In three days, with legs so strong
He’s running with the herd.
Late August, a man is mauled,
While sleeping in his tent.
Grizzly landlord, in search of fish,
Dropped by to get his rent.
October the rut is on, bulls fighting in the dawn.
Ancient dance from long ago keeps new life moving on.
Aleutians, a lonely perch, a falcon scans for food,
A stoop, a strike, a puffin’s gone, to feed her hungry brood.
Piping Plover
Words by Greg Thompson
Music by Greg Thompson, Bill Jaaskelainen, Bill Zinni
Greg Thompson, vocals, mandolin, flute & tin whistle
Bill Jaaskelainen, acoustic guitar
Bill Zinni, vocals, bass guitar, mandolin
Kurt Snider, drums, percussion
Ocean and Gull sounds recorded at Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR
This song comes from Songs of the System, a collection of fish and wildlife songs created and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees and originally released in 2003 in celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial. The effort was led by Greg Thompson and produced by Danny McKeown, Paul Piccari, and Sandy Perchetti at Studio 2000 at the Omniplex in Camden, NJ thanks to the Friends of E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
Been coming to this beach
Since I was a child
But I’m the daddy now
Watching the kids run wild
It used to be a quiet spot
With plenty of room to roam
Zigging back & forth
In and out the foam
But now it’s a different place
With so many on the shore
With houses and tourists
And all those 4X4’s
So move the beach towels over
For the piping plover
Look out in your land rover
For the piping plover
Turn the guitars over
For the piping plover
Some say plover, some say plover
Of this bird, I am a lover
Some say plover, some say plover
Let’s make sure it’s not over
For the piping plover
Gathering Waters
Music by Sean Killen
Sean Killen, classical guitar, fretless bass
Recorded at Digniova.com, Lakeland, MN
Engineered & mixed by Tyler Joseph
This song comes from Songs of the System, a collection of fish and wildlife songs created and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees and originally released in 2003 in celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial. The effort was led by Greg Thompson and produced by Danny McKeown, Paul Piccari, and Sandy Perchetti at Studio 2000 at the Omniplex in Camden, NJ thanks to the Friends of E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
Disappearing Eider Blues
Words and music by William Larned
William Larned, vocals, acoustic guitar
Recorded at Gamble Recording, Soldotna, AK
This song comes from Songs of the System, a collection of fish and wildlife songs created and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees and originally released in 2003 in celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial. The effort was led by Greg Thompson and produced by Danny McKeown, Paul Piccari, and Sandy Perchetti at Studio 2000 at the Omniplex in Camden, NJ thanks to the Friends of E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
Have you heard about our awful luck
The sad, sad tale of the eider ducks
Have you read about it, people have you heard the news?
This is a song about you and me
‘bout the diving ducks of the northern sea
We just call it the “disappearing eider blues”
Now folks are askin’, “what’s the fuss?”
But that’s cause they’ve never really studied us
Maybe that’s cause we’re not so good to eat
But the counts all say we’re losing ground
By the pair and by the pound
Something happened to put us in retreat
Now eiders are a breed apart
We’re cold of food but warm of heart
Riding out the winter on the icy stormy seas
We come in every size and hue
Our lives we’d like to share with you
We’ll introduce ourselves, if you please
SPECTACLED EIDER:
I’m a spectacled eider, dig my safety glasses
We winter in the ocean in humongous masses
Diving deep in the northern Bering Sea
Our population took a downward turn
On the Yukon Delta, which caused concern
Now everybody’s busy protectin’ me
STELLER’S EIDER:
Steller’s eider, that’s my name
Invertebrate hunting is my game
Specially in lagoons and shallow bays
On Alaska coasts we used to breed
But there we now are rare indeed
We raise our young in Russia nowadays
KING EIDER:
They call me “king” with very good reason
My head looks so cool in the nesting season
The high arctic coast is where I do my thing
Our migration’s wondrous to behold
Countless chains of living gold
The spirit o the Arctic on the wing
COMMON EIDER:
I’m the common eider, but let me make it clear
I’m the biggest duck in the hemisphere
Our down has warmed you folks since time began
We nest near the ocean in great big groups
Raise our young together like army troops
Then head offshore to molt with our whole clan
We eat clams, mussels, krill and crabs
But our future’s really up for grabs
Time’s getting short for help to come our way
Our prey’s declining and so are we
It’s lead cuisine in the deep blue sea
No more smorgasbord of bygone days
Our numbers reflect the health of the ocean
Without us you would have no notion
Indicator ducks, just watch us and you’ll see
We too have a right to exist
If we were gone we’d sure be missed
We’re all part of the master strategy
This world’s a great place to be alive
Keep our oceans healthy and we’ll survive
We all can win, none of us has to lose
So maybe on some future day
We won’t feel the need to play
Our sad song, the disappearing eider blues
Our sad song, the disappearing eider blues
Hope
Music by Liz Dawson
Liz Dawson, Piano
This song comes from Songs of the System, a collection of fish and wildlife songs created and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees and originally released in 2003 in celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial. The effort was led by Greg Thompson and produced by Danny McKeown, Paul Piccari, and Sandy Perchetti at Studio 2000 at the Omniplex in Camden, NJ thanks to the Friends of E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
I'm a Fish
Joe McCauley-lyrics & vocals
Greg Thompson - Electric guitar
Bill Zinni-Bass guitar
Bill Jaaskelainen-Acoustic guitar
Kurt Snider-Drums
Al Averill from NRCS-Harmonica
This song comes from Songs of the System, a collection of fish and wildlife songs created and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees and originally released in 2003 in celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial. The effort was led by Greg Thompson and produced by Danny McKeown, Paul Piccari, and Sandy Perchetti at Studio 2000 at the Omniplex in Camden, NJ thanks to the Friends of E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
When I was a young fish
Just a little Fry
I knew by the way I was growing
I’d be the greatest fish alive
Now I’m grown
And swimming upstream
All these dams in my way
Are making me kinda mean
Cause, I’m a Fish!
Gonna spawn till I die
I’m a Fish!
I need free flowing water to survive
Now it wasn’t that long ago
That Atlantic salmon did abound
But now I look around me
There ain’t many of us left around
Without no decent habitat
It’s mighty tough to stay alive
I’m afraid we’ll need your peoples help
If we’re going to survive
Cause, I’m a Fish!
Gonna spawn till I die
I’m a Fish!
I need healthy rivers to survive
-solo-
Well I’ve gone upstream
About as far as I can go
Been up ladders and elevators
The goin’s been mighty slow
But, now I’m up here
I’m gonna find me a mate
I’m just a lonely fish
Lookin for a date
Cause, I’m a Fish!
Gonna spawn till I die
I’m a Fish!
I need clean water to survive
-solo-
I know all you fisher-people
Would like to see me on a plate
Well the way I see it brother
There is much worser a fate!
I’d rather end up on your table
Loved by one and all
Than to be shredded by a turbine
Where there used to be a waterfall
Cause, I’m a Fish!
Gonna spawn till I die
I’m a Fish!
I need all your peoples help if I’m going to survive
Children's Dance
Written, performed, and recorded by Richard Guadagno
We are honored and humbled to include this instrumental piece written and recorded by our former colleague Richard Guadagno. Richard is well known to the world as one of the fallen heroes of flight 93 on 9/11/2001. To us, he will always be a FWS colleague, biologist, conservationist, family person, and friend first. He was very private about his music and playing and we thank his family for providing us this rare and precious recording. May his music and love for conservation shine through and bring you peace and inspiration as you listen to it.
This song comes from Songs of the System, a collection of fish and wildlife songs created and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees and originally released in 2003 in celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial. The effort was led by Greg Thompson and produced by Danny McKeown, Paul Piccari, and Sandy Perchetti at Studio 2000 at the Omniplex in Camden, NJ thanks to the Friends of E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
Diversity
Words by Greg Thompson
Music by Greg Thompson, Bill Jaaskelainen, Bill Zinni
Greg Thompson, vocals, lead guitar
Bill Jaaskelainen, acoustic guitar
Bill Zinni, bass guitar
Kurt Snider, drums, percussion
This song comes from Songs of the System, a collection of fish and wildlife songs created and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees and originally released in 2003 in celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial. The effort was led by Greg Thompson and produced by Danny McKeown, Paul Piccari, and Sandy Perchetti at Studio 2000 at the Omniplex in Camden, NJ thanks to the Friends of E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
This Web of life
Means we are all connected
Each tug on the strand
Means we are all affected
We are all so much the same
Monkey or man, it’s just a name
Can you hear what I say?
Just look at our DNA!
Diversity, Biology
Tell you what it means to me
Diversity, Biology
It only means the world to me
Just a small part in a system
So complex in its rhythm
Who can stay and who can go
Is not our decision
We must take care of each other
The birds and the trees are your brother
We must take care of each other
Cherish all life and your Earth mother!
Keeping different, keeping it real
Is how it’s supposed to be
We must all come together
To protect Biodiversity!
Diversity, Biology
Tell you what it means to me
Diversity, Biology
It only means the world to me
A Moment of Rest
Music by Liz Dawson
Salmon Song
Words & music by Rhona Barron 1993
“Silvee’s Salmon Band”
Rhona Barron, vocals, percussion
Dave Kruse Coste, bass
Stan Fishburn, drums
Ahna Sandberg, backup vocals
Fern Noland, backup vocals
Michael Nash, piano
Chris Fairbanks, electric violin
Sherry Krebs, percussion
Recorded and mixed at Derek Peet Productions, Wenatchee, WA
This song comes from Songs of the System, a collection of fish and wildlife songs created and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees and originally released in 2003 in celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial. The effort was led by Greg Thompson and produced by Danny McKeown, Paul Piccari, and Sandy Perchetti at Studio 2000 at the Omniplex in Camden, NJ thanks to the Friends of E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
Salmon, salmon, you’re a fish!
Salmon, salmon, don’t you wish
That boats and birds and people too
Would get out of your way – so you can get through
You start out in a hatchery or maybe in a stream
Where the water’s cold and flowing, but most of all it’s clean.
You grow and develop, until you get a notion
To start swimming downstream, tail-first to the ocean!
Once you’re in the ocean you swim and play and eat,
Trying to avoid those who want you for a treat.
In a couple years, you’re shiny big and strong
Your instincts are calling, pulling you along.
On that final journey, you’re swimming back upstream.
Back to the spot where you began to dream
Of that final moment, when eggs and milt would blend
Making more salmon, salmon without end!
Salmon, salmon you’re a fish!
Salmon, salmon, don’t you wish
That boats and birds and people too
Would get out of your way – so you can get through.
Soaring
Music by Liz Dawson
Liz Dawson, Piano
This song comes from Songs of the System, a collection of fish and wildlife songs created and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees and originally released in 2003 in celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial. The effort was led by Greg Thompson and produced by Danny McKeown, Paul Piccari, and Sandy Perchetti at Studio 2000 at the Omniplex in Camden, NJ thanks to the Friends of E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
Working for Tomorrow
Music and lyrics by Gina Swoope
It’s hard to believe
that it’s been around
our refuges
for a century
there’s so much
to be proud of
so much beauty to see
and all because
of people like you and me
so it’s time
it’s time to come together
to celebrate the time of our lives
appreciating
the things that mean so much
and sharing with our friends and family
our family
Our partners and communities
Are helping us out
With helping hands
And through it all
So much is improved
Our plants, our fish and our wildlife
Our wildlife
So it’s time
It’s time to come together
To celebrate the time of our lives
Appreciating
The things that mean so much
And sharing with our friends and family
Our family
Do your part
You got to do your part
For tomorrow
Do your part
You got to do your part
For tomorrow
Do your part
Crystal River
Music by CQ
Homeward Bound
Words and music by Tom Jasikoff
Tom Jasikoff, acoustic guitar
Bill Zinni, bass guitar, mandolin
Greg Thompson, mandolin
Kurt Snider, drums, percussion
Tony Leger, backup vocals
Liz Dawson, backup vocals
Mary Jennings, backup vocals
Blair Ramsey, backup vocals
This song comes from Songs of the System, a collection of fish and wildlife songs created and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees and originally released in 2003 in celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial. The effort was led by Greg Thompson and produced by Danny McKeown, Paul Piccari, and Sandy Perchetti at Studio 2000 at the Omniplex in Camden, NJ thanks to the Friends of E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
Wild lands, Wild places, Wild things, Wild me
The winds of the refuge whisper to me
Let the rivers run wild
Let the Blue Goose fly free
Let our voices unite
And our spirit delight
In the wild legacy
Misty morning, teeming wildlife, islands, cattails and trees,
The stage of creation – a masterpiece to see
Together we journey
This circle of life
Geese call out their name, as we hear them proclaim
Of their flight coming home!
Changing seasons, changing colors, songbirds, on the migration way
From fields, bogs and treetops, they sing and display
Puffins and plovers
Kestrels and cranes
Find a beautiful home, every refuge they roam
From California to Maine
On the wings of an eagle, we lift our heads high
As our dreams and our prayers reach sunshine and sky
We’re a family of one, a network begun on a promise to fly
100 years strong, the refuge system lives on, with a spirit of pride
Oh the wild life
On the refuge
Longing to be
Homeward and free
Like you and like me
Crown jewels like pearls,
Up and down the flyway,
For all who forever will find, protected all times
Of the land of our home we call Refuge