This page hosted by
Get your own Free Home Page
*Deck the Halls*(Return to table of contents) (Traditional, just to get you in the mood...) Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa La La La La, La La La La 'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa La La La La, La La La La Don we now our gay apparel, Fa La La, La La La, La La La Troll the ancient Yule tide carol, Fa La La La La, La La La La. See the blazing Yule before us, Fa La La La La, La La La La Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa La La La La, La La La La Follow me in merry measure, Fa La La, La La La, La La La While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa La La La La, La La La La. Fast away the old year passes, Fa La La La La, La La La La hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa La La La La, La La La La Sing we joyous all together, Fa La La, La La La, La La La Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa La La La La, La La La La. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *The Thirteen Days of Yuletide* (Return to table of contents) On the first day of Yuletide My true love gave to me: A partridge in a pear tree! Two turtle doves. Three French hens. Four calling birds. Five golden rings! Six geese a laying. Seven swans a swimming. Eight maids a milking. Nine ladies dancing. Ten lords a leaping. Eleven pipers piping. Twelve drummers drumming. Thirteen witches chanting! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Christmas Time is Pagan* (tune: Angels we have Heard on High) (words by: unknown) Christmas time is here again, Decorations everywhere. Christmas carols ringing out, Gentle pagans, we don't care! CHORUS: Glorious! Christmas time is Pagan! Glorious! Christmas time is Pagan! Let them have their Christmas trees, Decked with red and green and blue. We rejoice at everyone, Christmas trees are Pagan, too! Bowls of bubbly Christmas cheer, Fill your cup and quench your thirst. They think the tradition's theirs, Wassail bowls were Pagan first! Modern folks all celebrate, What they learned in Sunday school. In December they don't know, They are celebrating Yule! Every door and window bears Wreaths of holly, wreaths of pine. Circles represent the sun; Every wreath is yours and mine. Christmas lights on christmas trees Candle flames burn higher and higher And we giggle joyfully As they light their Yuletide fire. There's a possibility That this song is yours and mine. 'Cause this tune was known to all Back in A.D. one-two-nine! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Real Solstice* (tune: White Christmas) (words by: anonymous) I'm dreaming of a real Solstice Just like the Druids used to know. It would be so pleasing, To stand there freezing At Stonehenge in the snow... I'm dreaming of a real Solstice With no eclectic modern feel. If your blade is silver, not steel... Then may all your Solstices be real. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *I Saw the Witch* (note: sung to "I saw three ships") (words by: Robin NiDana) I saw the witch come sailing in On Solstice day, on Solstice day I saw the witch come sailing in On Solstice day in the morning And what was that witch carrying? She carried all that she could bring Some wassail for to bring us cheer And sweets to bring a sweet New Year An athame for to cut the air A broom to sweep out the stale Old heartaches for to let them go And songs to sing in new joy And that's what the witch did bring. The new sun for to welcome in. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Mother Berta's Coming to Town* (sung to: Santa Claus is Coming to Town) (words by: the Greenwood Singers) CHORUS: You better watch out when winter comes nigh You better not doubt I'm telling you why Mother Berta's coming to town. She carries a sack made out of a skin She dumps the toys out and stuffs the kids in Mother Berta's coming to town. She rides on Master Skeggi A goat whose back is strong Her beard is grey and scraggly And her tail is ten feet long! CHORUS With six or eight horns a moustache or two Make a mistake She's coming for YOU! Mother Berta's coming to town. She knows with whom your sleeping She knows with whom you wake She knows each thought you're thinking, so don't THINK! For Goddess' sake! CHORUS So when the winds howl way up in the sky Listen as she and Skeggi pass by Mother Berta's coming Mother Berta's coming Mother Berta's coming, to town! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Holly and Ivy*. (words by: Robin NiDana) The Holly and the Ivy Now both are full well grown. Of all the trees that are in the wood The Holly is renown. CHORUS: Oh, the rising of the sun And the running of the deer The playing of the merry harp And sweet singing in the bower. The Holly bears a blossom As white as lil-y flower And the turning year gives the reborn sun to light our sweet de-sire. CHORUS The Holly bears a berry as red as any blood And the turning year gives the reborn sun To warm us as we need. CHORUS The Holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn And the turning year gives the reborn sun to spur us when forlorn. CHORUS The Holly bears a bark As bitter as any gall And the turning year gives the reborn sun For to heal us when we fall. CHORUS The Holly and the Ivy Now both are full well grown. Of all the trees that are in the wood The Holly is renown. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Oh Come All Ye Pagans* (tune: O Come All Ye Faithful) (words by: unknown) Oh come all ye pagans Gather round the Yule fire Oh come ye, oh come ye to call the sun Fires within us call the fire above us Oh come let us invoke Oh come let us invoke Oh come let us invoke Our light the Sun! Yea, Maid, we greet Thee! Born again at Yuletide! Yule fires and candle flames Are lighted for You! Come to thy children Calling for thy blessings! O, come, let us invoke Her! (3x) Our, light the Sun! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Hark the Herald* (tune: Hark the Herald Angels Sing) (words by: Robin NiDana) Hark the herald Ancients drum glory to the newborn sun! Peace on Earth and mercy mild, Birth and Death are reconciled. Joyful all 'ye peoples rise join the drama of the skies. With the Ancient hosts proclaim like the sun life's born again! Hark the herald Ancients drum, glory to the newborn sun! Hark the Herald Ancients keen, glory to the newborn Queen! Lack of balance, threatens Life, Now She rises to counter strife. Joyfully we call Her name, come to us, oh join our flame. With the Ancient Hosts we sing, Join with Life for joy to bring! Hark the Herald Ancients keen, Glory to the newborn Queen! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Ye Children All of Mother Earth* (tune: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear) (words by: unknown) Ye children all of Mother Earth Join hands and circle round To celebrate the bright rebirth When our lost Light is found. Rejoice, the year has begun again the sun blesses skies up above So share the season together now In everlasting Love! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Gods Rest Ye Merry Gentle Folk* (tune: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen) (words have been attributed to The Pacific Circle Songbook as well as the Balefire Coven) Gods rest ye merry gentle folk let nothing you dismay remember that the sun returns upon this solstice day! The growing dark is ended now And Spring is on its way O, tidings of comfort and joy Comfort and joy O, tidings of comfort and joy The winter's worst still lies ahead Fierce tempest, snow and rain! Beneath the blanket on the ground The spark of life remains! The sun's warm rays caress the seeds To raise life's songs again! O, tidings of comfort and joy Comfort and joy O, tidings of comfort and joy Within the blessed apple lies The promise of the Earth For from these sleeping seeds shall rise The orchard's fresh rebirth The Earth shall blossom once again The air be sweet and clean O, tidings of comfort and joy Comfort and joy O, tidings of comfort and joy The Goddess rest ye merry, too And keep you safe from harm. Remember that we live within The circle of Her arms. And may Her love give the New Year A very special charm O, tidings of comfort and joy Comfort and joy O, tidings of comfort and joy Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Joy To The Earth* (tune: Joy to the World) (words by: Anie Burke-Webb) Joy to the Earth, The light returns; And Sunlight fills the air. The tide has turned, The sun has been reborn, and hope is everywhere, And hope is everywhere, And hope, and hope, is everywhere. Dark ruled the Earth, And light has waned; But on the Wheel does spin. From out the womb of night, Is birthed the Infant Light, The sun has come again, The sun has come again, The sun, the sun, has come again. Mother of all, To You we sing, In praise this glorious morn, For Earth and sky, Fire, water and life, In You we are reborn, In You we are reborn, In You, in You, we are reborn, Joy to the World! The light is born. Let Earth begin to sing! Let every heart rejoice in the light, And Earth and Nature sing! And Earth and Nature sing! And Earth and Sky and Nature sing! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Oh Holy Night* (words by: Robin and Molly Morgaine NiDana) Oh Solstice night, the stars are brightly shining it is the night When the dark turns to light. Turn of wheel the darkness has been growing, Now turn again and the light starts to swell. Spring's on its way, a weary world rejoices; for yonder breaks the light of Solstice morn. Call out your dreams! Oh feel the new life coursing! Oh night of hope, Oh night when light returns, Oh night, oh, Solstice night, Oh night of hope! Years spiral on, Their cycles never ending. the darkness grows, 'til the solstice does come. Darkness brings time for pruning and for ending All must pass, So that new Life may grow. Then comes the dawn That signals darkness waning, The sun does rise With promise of renewal; Dawn always comes, When Darkness seems ne're ending! Oh night of hope, Oh night when light returns, Oh night, oh, Solstice night, Oh night of hope! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Gloria* (tune: Angels we have Heard on High) (words by: unknown) Snow lies deep upon the Earth Still our voices warmly sing Heralding the glorious birth Of the Child, the winter-ling. Gloria, in excelsis Dea! Gloria, in excelsis Dea! Our triumphant voices claim Joy and hope and love renewed And our Lady's glad refrain Answer winter's solitude. Gloria, in excelsis Dea! Gloria, in excelsis Dea! In Her arms a holy Child Promises a glowing Light Through the Winter wind so wild She proclaims the growing Light. Gloria, in excelsis Dea! Gloria, in excelsis Dea! Now the turning of the year Of the greater Turning sings Passing age of cold and fear Soon our golden Summer brings. Gloria, in excelsis Dea! Gloria, in excelsis Dea! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Ancients We Have Heard on High* (tune: Angels we have heard on high) (words by: Robin NiDana) Ancients we have heard on high Sweetly singing from the plain And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains Gloria, spring is on its way! Gloria, spring is on its way! People why this jubilee? Why your joyful strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire you to song? Gloria, spring is on its way! Gloria, spring is on its way! Come outside at dawn and see That whose rise the Ancients sing; Come, adore, and be you free, Greet the light which joy does bring. Gloria, spring is on its way! Gloria, spring is on its way! See sunrise on Solstice morn, Which the hosts of Ancients praise; See the bright sunlight reborn, While our hearts in joy we raise. Gloria, spring is on its way! Gloria, spring is on its way! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Away In A Manger* (words by: Robin NiDana) Away in a manger, no crib for Her bed, the little Earth Goddess lays down Her sweet head. The stars in the sky look down where She lays, the little Earth Goddess asleep in the hay. The cattle are lowing, the sweet baby wakes, but the little Earth Goddess no crying She makes. I love you Earth Goddess who are Earth and Sky, please stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh. Be near me Earth Goddess, I ask Thee to stay within me forever, to love me, I pray. Bless all the dear creatures in Thy tender care, and keep us within you, to live always here. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Away In A Bower*. (Tune: Away in a Manger) (Words by: Robin NiDana) Away in a bower, no crib for a bed, the year's first-born youngling lays down its sweet head. The stars in the sky look down where it lays, the year's first-born youngling asleep in the hay. Its mother is calling, the sweet baby wakes, but the year's first-born youngling, no crying it makes. It knows that its mother is right close by, to stay by its side 'til morning comes nigh. Remember the younglings each year who are born in all the year's bowers on most every morn. Bless all the dear creatures, remember their care will keep them all with us, to be always here. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *We Three Queens of Castro Street* (tune: We Three Kings) (words by Robin NiDana and the Castro Street Singers!) We three Queens of Castro Street are Bearing gifts our arms are so tired! Shopping frenzy, where's the hair spray! How I hate christmas time! O-oh, time of foot aches, time of fright, searching always, always night! Fix you're heels, do your nails; soon they'll be fab'lous sales! We three Dykes of Castro Street are Wearing leather, smoking cigars Shine your boots, fix your tie! Watching all the girls go by. O-oh, time of back aches, time of fright, searching always, always night! Don't despair, comb your hair, r'member New Years Eve. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *We Three Queens*. (tune: We Three Kings of Orient Are) (words by: Robin NiDana) We three Queens of Earth are bearing gifts our arms stretch so far. With you ever, dying never giving you delight! Oh, Crone of wonder, Maid of light Mother's beauty, burning bright. With us ever, dying never Help us find your delight! Crone abides all that must pass She grants the peace that lasts. Seek Her respit', be thee bless-ed finding new delights. Oh, Crone of wonder, Crone of light Crone of beauty, burning bright. With us ever, dying never Help us find your delight! Maiden is both strong and young, Catch her quick, she's on the run. Follow Her, free your nerve seeking your delight! Oh, Child of wonder, Maid of light Child of beauty, burning bright. With us ever, dying never Help us find your delight! Mother Earth is calm and wise Her arms fill up the sky! Ask Her blessing, learn her lessons living in delight! Oh, Earth of wonder, Earth of light Mother's beauty, burning bright. With us ever, dying never Help us find your delight! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *O Solstice Tree*. (almost Traditional...changes by Robin NiDana) O Evergreen! O Evergreen! How lovely are your branches; O Evergreen! O Evergreen! How lovely are your branches; For you stay green throughout the year, Reminding us of summer's cheer. O Evergreen! O Evergreen! How lovely are your branches. O Evergreen! O Evergreen! Thy candles shine so brightly! O Evergreen! O Evergreen! Thy candles shine so brightly! From base to crown your sparkle's bright, There's only splendor for the sight. O Evergreen! O Evergreen! Thy candles shine so brightly! O Evergreen! O Evergreen! How richly Life hath decked thee! O Evergreen! O Evergreen! How richly Life hath decked thee! When darkness seems t'will never end, Green shining still you will not bend. O Evergreen! O Evergreen! How richly Life hath decked thee! Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Silent Night* (words by: Robin NiDana) Silent night, solstice night All is calm, all is bright Roun' young Maiden, Mother with Crone Birthing and infant So tender and young Brilliant Maiden is born! Brilliant Light is reborn. Silent night, solstice night All who wake, behold the sight! Brilliant streams from heaven above as we sing to Her that we love. Glorious Maiden is born! Glorious Light is reborn. Silent night, solstice night. Mother of All, Love's pure light. Radiant beams from Sun above fill the Earth with light and love. Gracious Daughter at birth! Gracious Light at thy birth. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Silent Night, Winter Night* (tune: Silent Night, Holy Night) (words by: unknown) Silent night, Winter night, All is calm, all is right. Nature slumbers in forest and glen, 'Till in Springtime She wakens again. Sleeping spirits grow strong, Sleeping spirits grow strong. Silent night, Solstice night, Silver Moon, shining bright. Snowfall blankets the slumbering Earth. Yule fires welcome the Sun's rebirth. Hark, our Light is reborn, Hark, our Light is reborn. Silent night, Winter night, Quiet rest until the light. Turning ever, the rolling wheel, Brings the Winter to comfort and heal. Rest your spirit in peace, Rest your spirit in peace. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *The Maiden's Girl-Child*. (tune: Mary's Boy-Child) (Words by: Robin NiDana) As ages pass upon this Earth So the Holy Ancients say The Maiden's Girl-Child takes Her place When born on Solstice day! Hark! Now hear the Ancients sing, A new Maid born today. And Life renewed forever more Each year on Solstice day. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Lo, How a Rose* (tune: Lo, How a Rose) (words by: Robin NiDana) Lo, how a rose up-spring-ing On ten-der root has grown: A Rose by nature's singing To all the World made known. The Rose 'midst win-ter's cold A lone-ly blos-some bear-ing Like was in days of old. This Rose of my sto-ry All na-ture did pro-claim. What life or-dained in glo-ry By bless-ed Nature came. The Light the Sun hath bore, New life now re-tu-rn-ing To Earth for season's more. The Rose-bud small and ten-der Gives fra-grance ev'ry day And by it's bril-liant splen-dor Makes dark-ness pass a-way. True Light, true Life, we pray, Help us in ev'-ry sor-row, And guard us on our way. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS *Remember the Rose (Tune: The Rose) Some say darkness that is growing Means a never ending night; Some say that it's all hopeless, And we'll never see the light. But remember in the winter, that beneath the bitter cold, Lies the seed, that with the sun's love, in the Spring, becomes the Rose. Return to TABLE OF CONTENTS
Click Here to return to Robin's Spirit Page
Get your own Free Home Page
© 1997 Robin A. NíDána
Send any comments or questions about this page to:
robinnid@netbox.com