A bunch of us got together in August 2000 and crafted some pagan versions of traditional winter themed songs. Here they are for all to enjoy. We thought it would be fun to go a-caroling with them, but no one showed up. Maybe another time.
DRUM THE SUN
(to the tune of “The Little Drummer Boy”, paganized by COMMA and guests Summer 2000)
Sun, they told me, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
Would rise again some day, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
Her finest gifts She brings, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
Sustain us to the spring, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
Prrum-pa-pum-pum, Prrum-pa-pum-pum
We will honor Her, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
When she comes.
Winter Solsitce, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
We come to celebrate, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
You have a flame to bring, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
A source of warmth ’til spring, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
Prrum-pa-pum-pum, Prrum-pa-pum-pum
We will honor you, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
With our drum.
May we meet again, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
May hand and drum keep time, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
We play our drum for You, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
We play our best for You, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
Prrum-pa-pum-pum, Prrum-pa-pum-pum
May You smile on us, Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
Eternally drum.
I HAD A LITTLE GODDESS
(to the tune of “The Dreidle Song”, paganized by COMMA and guests Summer 2000)
I had a little Goddess, I baked her out of clay.
I placed her on the altar and prepared myself to pray.
Chorus:
Spinning, dancing, leaping, Her laughter full of light,
Turning spiral, weaving, the Goddess is alive.
I made an invocation, invited her to stay,
And when I lit Her candle, she jumped up to play.
Chorus
Her eyes began to twinkle, her lips curved in a smile,
She raised her arms above her head and danced a little while.
Chorus
The stars came to my doorstep and spun about the room.
The Goddess, she went flying upon her magic broom.
Chorus
My eyes were big as scrying globes, my heart pounded like a drum.
Night seeped through the windows and day came with a sun.
Chorus
I thought she’d be so serious, I thought she’d be austere,
But when I met the Goddess, I knew I needn’t fear.
Chorus
She danced upon my heartstrings, she opened up my eyes,
She made me see inside myself, the joy of life to prize.
Chorus
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
(paganized by COMMA and guests Summer 2000)
While witches kept their watching
O’er sleeping flock by night,
Behold, throughout the night sky,
There shone a magic light.
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere.
Go tell it on the mountain,
The Solstice sun is born.
The witches danced and feasted,
When lo, there was rebirth.
The sunbeams climbed the mountains
And poured across the earth.
Down in a lowly valley,
The sun rays lit the morn,
And life began a-stirring
To sing this solstice song.
SILVER MOON
(to the tune of “Silver Bells”, paganized by COMMA for a full moon ritual Winter 1990)
City witches, busy witches, dressed in festival style
In the air there’s a feeling of ritual.
Women laughing, Chalice passing
Sharing smile after smile,
And ’round every hearth fire you hear:
Silver moon, Mother moon,
It’s Goddess time in the city.
Circling, hear them sing,
Soon it will be Solstice Day.
Strings of candles, held by handle
With a flickering glow,
As the witches weave magickal treasures.
Touching changing, changing touching,
This is Diana’s scene,
And with all of the blessings you hear:
Silver moon, Mother moon,
It’s Goddess time in the city.
Circling, hear them sing,
Soon it will be Solstice Day.
Other Carols, but not by us….
GODS REST YE MERRY PAGAN FOLK
(to the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, first stanza by Amarantha Francoise Dyuaaxchs; remaining adaptation by the GreenWood Singers )
Give rest to all who suffer upon this young-old day.
Those young will have their joy when the world in green and grey,
And all the aged will bless the youth, then go again to play
For the world in an ancient child, ancient child,
For the world is an ancient child.
Gods rest ye merry pagan folk.
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 seed
To raise Life’s songs again!
O, tidings, etc.
Withing the blessed apple lies
The promise of the Queen,
For from this pentacle shall rise
The orchards fresh and green.
The earth shall blossom once again,
The air be sweet and clean.
O, tidings, etc.
SILENT NIGHT
(Adaptation by the GreenWood Singers)
Silent Night, Solstice Night,
All is calm, all is bright.
Nature slumbers in forest and glen
‘Til in Springtime She wakens again,
Sleeping spirits grow strong!
Sleeping spirits grow strong!
Silent Night, Solstice Night,
Silver moon, shining bright.
Yule fires welcome the Sun’s rebirth.
Hark, the Light is reborn!
Hark, the Light is reborn!
Silent Night, Solstice Night,
Quiet rest ’til the Light.
Turning ever, the rolling wheel
Brings the winter to comfort and heal.
Rest your spirit in peace!
Rest your spirit in peace!
THE HOLLY AND THE IVY
(Adaptation by Amarantha Francoise Dyuaaxchs, August 2000. )
The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.
The rising of the sun, and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom, as white as lily flow’r,
And in our hearts we bear pure hope, and sing every hour.
The holly bears a berry, as red as any rose,
And in our hearts we bear a flame of life, and with hope it grows.
The holly bears a prickle, as sharp as any thorn,
And our skin bears the sun’s sharp rays, bringing life this Solstice morn.
DECK THE HALL
(Welsh Traditional)
Deck the hall 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 yuletide 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!
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