PAGAN SONGS

COMPILED OFF THE INTERNET AND FROM OTHER COLLECTIONS

ALL THRU THE NIGHT
While the Moon her watch is keeping
  all thru the night
While the weary world is sleeping
  all thru the night
O'er thy spirit gently stealing,
Visions of delight revealing
Breathes a pure and holy feeling
  all thru the night

Though this Bard must roam full lonely
My true harp shall sing praise only
Love's soft dream, alas, is over
Yet my strains of love shall hover
Near the Presence of my Lover

Hark! A solemn bell is ringing
Thou, my King are heavenward winging
Earthly dust from off Thee shaken
Soul immortal shalt thou waken
With thy last, dim journey taken

Neath this Stone my King is sleeping
Stars around Him softly sweeping
Once and Future King preserving
Britain's Saviour there reserving
All around him Stars observing
  all thru the night

Holl am ran-tire sehr thuh wed-ont
  ahr heed ah nos
Dum-ar forth ee vro go-gawn-yont
  ahr heed ah nosGol-i ar-all you tuh wull ooch
ee are thang os gweer bred vairtch-ooch
tie-leer nave oith m'yoon thu-wail-ooch
  ahr heed ah nos
note: The last verse is phonetic Welsh."ll" is pronounced by putting the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth, and saying "h" and "l" at the same time...sort of.   "ch" is pronounced as German.

BEDLAM BELLS
Joe Bethancourt  (c) copyright 1992 W.J. Bethancourt III Tune: "Mad Maudlin" aka "Tom O'Bedlam"
Written as a theme song for the Bedlam Bells Morris dance troupe, and originally improvised at WesterCon 45, Phoenix, AZ.Tune guitar: DADGBD

Out upon the Borderlands
I've watched the stars a-falling
I've drunk deep from Mad River and
I've heard my soul a-calling

  Chorus:
  Still I sing bonny bells, bonny mad bells,
  Bedlam Bells are bonny!
  For we all go bare and we live by the air
  And we want your drink and money!

I now repent that ever
Myself was so disdain-ed
My wits are lost since me I cros't
Which makes me go thus chain-ed

To find our wits in Bordertown,
Ten thousand years we'll travel

And maudlin go on dancing toes,
To save our shoes from gravel

I crossed into fair Elfland
To find the soul I'd squandered
To hunt my sighs in children's eyes
But still my soul had wandered

I had an Elfin lady,
And took her for to wife me
She sleeps the day, she sings the night
And hearkens to delight me!

Both in and out of Bordertown
I've drank Mad River's water
And stood upon the Bridge O'Dread
And watched the sudden slaughter!

My staff hath murder'd giants
My bells can call the thunder!
I stamp my feet and tread the dance
And split the sky in sunder!

My horn is made of Elven-blades,
I stole it cross the Border!
The rainbow there is this I wear
For my wits are out of order!

I went to Digger's Kitchen
To beg some food one morning
I got my dreams served piping hot
And saw a city burning

I'll wander thru the Borderlands
With feathers in my hair-o
With my true love close to my side
And back and sides go bare-o!

I'll dance the day, I'll dance the night
And spend my
time a-singing
Dance out the old, ring in the new
With Bedlam Bells a-ringing!

Take a drink for Tom of Bedlam
Take a drink from the river's water!
And speak in sighs from darkened eyes
And court the River's daughter!

BLESSED BE AGAIN!
Joe Bethancourt  (c) copyright 1992 W.J. Bethancourt III Tune: "One Misty Moisty Morning" (Trad.)
Upon a dark and windy hill,
On Samhain's eldritch night
I saw the Crone with withered hands
By balefire's burning light
Her eyes were full of wisdom,
The threads of life she span
And sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be!
And Blessed Be again!"

As I walked out on Yuletide,
The winter winds blew cold
I saw the Winter King a-standing,
Grey and grim and old
His cloak was pulled around him,
A Child was in his hand
And he sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be!
And Blessed Be again!"
Upon the morn of Brigit's Day,
I saw a lovely sight
The Goddess standing by me,
All crowned in starry light
The crescent Moon beneath her feet,
The stars were in her hand

She sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be!
And Blessed Be again!"

Upon the first of April,
I saw the Holy Fool
He was a merry prankster,
The Lord of all Misrule!
He looked at me, and winked an eye,
And danced and sang and then
He sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be!
And Blessed Be again!"

Ostara came with blossoms,
Life flourished everywhere
I saw the Mother smiling,
With flowers in Her hair
She stood among the growing fields,
In heather and in glen
And sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be!
And Blessed Be again!"

As I walked out one May morning,
T'was on the blooming heather
I saw a Maiden dancing there,
In fair and sunny weather
The Beltane fires were burning high,
The dancers round did spin
They sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be!
And Blessed Be again!"

Upon Midsummer's heady day,
I saw John Barleycorn
Walking proud and tall there
In the sunny shining morn
His beard was long and golden,
He looked at me and then
He sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be!
And Blessed Be again!"

Upon a singing Summer day,
At dawn on Lammastide
I saw the Craftsman smiling,
On sunbeams he did ride
He brings us light and knowledge,
To help our fellow men
He sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be!
And Blessed Be again!"

Upon a chilly autumn day,
All sheltered from the storm
I saw the Harvest safe at home,
The families snug and warm
They sat and gave their thanks,
And they laughed and smiled and then
They sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be!
And Blessed Be again!"

The Spiral Dance goes on and on,

The King and Youth and Child
The Gentle Mother, Aged Crone,
And Maiden meek and mild
And so the Yearly Circle
Turns in eternal spin
So sing "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be!
And Blessed Be again!"

And "Merry Meet! And Merry Part!
And Merry Meet Again!"

BURNING TIMES/CHANT
Charles Murphy
In the cool of the evening, they used to gather,
'neath stars in the meadow, circled near an old oak tree.
At the times appointed by the seasons of the Earth,
 and the phases of the moon.
In the center of them stood a woman, equal with the others,  and respected for her worth.
One of the many we call the Witches, the teachers and the keepers  of the wisdom of the Earth
The people grew through the knowledge she gave them,
herbs to heal their bodies,
spells to make their spirits whole.
Hear them chanting healing incantations,
calling forth the Wise Ones,
celebrating in dance and song

Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna
Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna
Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna

There were those who came
to power through domination,
and they bonded in the worship
of a dead man on a cross.
They sought control of the common people by demanding allegiance  to the church of Rome.
And the Pope declared the Inquisition,
it was a war against the women
whose power they feared.
In this Holocaust against the nature peoples,
 a million European women died.

And the tales are told of those who, by the hundreds,
holding together, chose their deaths in the sea.
Chanting the praises of the Mother Goddess, a refusal of betrayal,  women were dying to be free.

Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna
Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna
Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna

Now the Earth is a witch, and the men still burn her!
Stripping her down with mining and the poisons of their wars.
While to us the Earth is a healer, a teacher, a mother.
She's the weaver of the web of life that keeps us all alive.

She gives us the vision to see through the chaos.
She gives us the courage, it is our will to survive!

Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna ... (repeat ad lib)

CAMBRIAN DREAM
Gwydion PenDerwyn
copyright probably to Nemeton
In the mountains of Cambria, by Rhymney's bright stream
I have oft slept in heather, and dreamed a bright Dream
No mortal could wake me, nor see what I've seen
No landscape could ever compare.

  Chorus:
  Dreaming of Prydein, asleep on a hill
  When I awaken, will you be there still?
  Oh, Island of Poets, my dreams you can fill
  But never the long waking hours.

'Twas the Land of my Fathers, unfettered, and free
Ere the time that the Saxon swept over the Sea
When mistletoe grew 'neath the shining Oak Tree
No landscape could ever compare!

Mighty Poets and Warriors traversed every road
Leaving stories and legends wherever they strode
Their pasts are recalled in the humblest abode
In tales of the sunnier days.

Now my story is ended, my song is all gone
I have slept thru the evening, and into the dawn
Yet still, I remember your Face, Albion,
And your older, and much wiser ways!

CELTIC CIRCLE DANCE
(c) copyright 1984, 1992 W. J. Bethancourt III  recorded: CELTIC CIRCLE DANCE, WTP-0002 tune: "Same Old Man/Leatherwing Bat" (Trad. Appalachian)
Hi said the Norn, sittin in the sand
Once I talked to a great Grey Man
Spun three times and said with a sigh
Hadn't been for the Runes had His other eye!

  Chorus:
  Hi diddle i diddle i day
  Hi diddle i diddle i diddle ay
  Hi di diddle i diddle i day
  Fol the dink a dum diddle do di day

Hi said the Lady, dressed in green
Prettiest thing I've ever seen
She went down underneath the hill
And came back out of Her own free will

Brian Boru, on Irish ground
Walked three times the Island round
Norsemen came lookin for a fight
just another Irish Saturday night!

Hi said Lugh on the banquet night
A poet and a player and a good wheelwright
A harper and a warrior and none the least:
A Druid and he got in to the Feast!

Harold Haardrada's face was red!
Came to Britain and he wound up dead
Stamford Bridge is where he's found
Got six feet of English ground

The Legion with its Eagles bright
Marched into the Pictish night
Met them there upon the sand
Gave 'em up to the Wicker Man!

Eight-legged steed and hound of Hel
The One-Eyed Man, he loves ya well
Fire burn and fire spark
Are you then feared of the dark?

Rhiannon's Birds are still in flight
all thru the day, all thru the night
Hail to the Lady, one in Three
Present is past and past is Thee!

Salt and oil and mirror bright
Fire and fleet and candlelight
By fin and feather, leaf and tree,
Fill the Cup and Blessed Be!

From the misty crystal sea
Came the Lady to the lea
Sword and Roses in Her Hand
Spread their seeds thruout the Land

Came the Stag from oaken wood
Saw the Lady where She stood
By the fire burning bright
Came to know His heart's delight!

Hail to the Lady, One in Three
We welcome You and honour Thee
As You light and guard the night
Honour now our sacred rite!

Hi said the Lady dressed in white
Sang the Day and sang the Night
Sang the Land and sang the Sea
Sang the Song, and then sang me!

Hail to the Lord at the Lady's side
Master of the Hunt, in the day You ride
Fire burn and fire bright
Honour now our sacred rite!

The Circle forms, the Circle flows
The Circle goes where no man knows
Hail to the Lady, one in three:
Present is past and past is me!

By Sword and Harp, and Irish Hound
Blessed Be: the Day I've found
Hail to the Lady, one in Three
Present is Past and Past is WE

Fire and Water, Air and Earth
The Cauldron calls for our rebirth
Hail to the Lady, three times three
The Circle's cast; so mote it be!

From East and South and West and North
Call the Powers to come forth!
Hail to the Lady, three times three,
The Circle's cast; so mote it be!

By Oak and Ash and Holy Thorn
Blessed Be the day you're born!
Fire burn and fire bright
Walk in safety thru the night

CIRCLES
Gwen Zak
Tune: "Windmills"

In days gone by, when the world was much younger
Men wondered at spring, born of winter's gold knife
Wondered at the games of the moon and the sunlight,
They saw there t
he Lady and Lord of all life.

  Chorus:
  And around and around and around turns the good earth
  All things must change as the seasons go by,
  We are the children of the Lord and the Lady,
  Whose mysteries we know but we'll never know why.

In all lands the people were tied with the good earth
Plowing and sowing as the seasons declared
Waiting to reap of the rich golden harvest
Knowing Her laugh in the joys that they shared.

Through Flanders and Wales and the green land of Ireland
In King
doms of England and Scotland and Spain
Circles grew up all along the wild coastline
And worked for the land with the sun and the rain.

Circles for healing and working the weather
Circles for knowing the moon and the sun
Circles for thanking the Lord and the Lady
Circles for dancing the dance never done

And we who reach for the stars in the heavens
Turning our eyes from the meadows and groves
Still live in the love of the Lord and the Lady
The greater the Circle the more the love grows

CUP OF WONDER
Ian Anderson recorded: "Songs from the Wood" Jethro Tull copyright 1977 Salamander Music
pub. USA: Chrysalis Music Corp.
May I make my fond excuses for the lateness of the hour
But we accept your invitation, and we bring you Beltane's Flower
For the May Day is the Great Day, strung along the Old Straight Track
And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this song that calls them back!

Ask the Green Man where he comes from, ask the Cup that fills with Red
Ask the old grey Standing Stones who show the Sun His way to bed
Question all as to their Ways, and learn the Secrets that they hold
Walk the lines of Nature's Palm, crossed with Silver and with Gold.

  Chorus:
  Pass the Word, and pass the Lady
  Pass the Plate to all who hunger!
  Pass the Wit of Ancient Wisdom
  Pass the Cup of Crimson Wonder!

Join in Black December's Madness! Lie in August's welcome Corn!
Stir the Cup that's ever filling with the Blood of all that's born!
For the May Day is the Great Day, stru
ng along the Old Straight Track
And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back!

CUP OF WONDER II   variant lyrics by the Whyte Bard
May I make my fond excuses for the lateness of the Hour
But I accept your invitation, and I bring you Beltane's Flower
For the May Day is the Great Day strung along the Old Straight Track
And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back!

Ask the Green Man where he comes from, ask the Sun his way to bed
Ask the grey and Standing Stones where last they lay their head
Ask the Lady where She's standing, growing young, and growing old
Cross the Lines of Nature's Palm, marked with Silver, crossed with Gold
For the May Day is the Great Day strung along the Old Straight Track
And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back!

Ask the Lady where She's standing in the green and growing corn!
Take the Cup that's ever filling with the Blood of all that's born!
For the May Day is the Great Day, strung along the Old Straight Track
And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back!

  So, pass the Cup, and pass the Lady!
  Pass the Plate to all who hunger!
  Pass the Wit of Ancient Wisdom
  Pass the Cup of Crimson Wonder!
(repeat verse 1)

FAIRIES LOVE SONG
Anonymous
Why should I sit and sigh
Broo and bracken, broo and bracken

Why should I sit and sigh
All alone and weary

When I see the plover rising
Or the curlew wheeling
It's then I'll court my mortal lover
Back to me is stealing

When the moon begins her waning
I sit by the water
Where a man born of the sunlight
Loved the Faerie's daughter

Oh, but there is something wanting
O but I am weary
Coming blithe, now bonny treads he
O'er the knolls to cheer me

HARP SONG OF THE DANE WOMEN
Rudyard Kipling
What is a woman that you forsake her?
and the hearth fire, and the home-acre?
to go with the old, grey Widow-Maker?

She has no house to lay a guest in
but one chill bed for all to rest in
that the pale suns and the stray bergs nest in

She has no strong white arms to fold you
but the ten times fingering weeds to hold you
out on the rocks where the tide has rolled you

Yet, when the signs of Summer thicken
and the ice breaks and the birch-buds quicken
yearly you turn from our side and sicken

Sicken again for the shouts and the slaughters
you steal away to the lapping waters
and look at your ship in her winter quarters

You forget our mirth, and talk at the tables
the kine in the shed and the horse in the stables
to pitch her sides and go over her cables...

Then you drive out where the storm clouds swallow
and the sound of your oar-blades, falling hollow
is all we have left through the months to follow

Ah...but what is a woman that you forsake her?
and the hearth fire, and the home-acre?
to go with the old, grey Widow-maker?

JOHN BARLEYCORN
There were three men come out of the West
Their fortunes for to try,
And these three men made a solemn vow:
John Barleycorn should die!
John Barleycorn should die!

They plowed, they sowed, they harrowed him in,
Threw clods upon his head,
And these three men made a solemn vow:
John Barleycorn was dead!
John Barleycorn was dead!

  Chorus:
  Fa la la la, it's a lovely day!
  Sing fa la la lay oh!
  Fa la la la, it's a lovely day!
  Sing fa la la lay oh!

They let him lie for a very long time
'Til the rain from Heaven did fall,
Then Little Sir John sprung up his head,
And so amazed them all!
And so amazed them all!

They let him stand 'til Midsummer tide,
'Til he grew both pale and wan,
Then Little Sir John he grew a long beard,
And so became a man!
And so became a man!

They hired men with the scythes so sharp
To cut him off at the knee
They rolled him and tied him about the waist,
And used him barbarously!
And used him barbarously!

They hired men with the sharp pitchforks
To pierce him to the heart,
And the loader he served him worse than that,
For he tied him in a cart!
For he tied him in a cart!

They wheeled him around and around the field,
'Til they came to a barn,
And there they made a solemn mow
Of poor John Barleycorn,
Of poor John Barleycorn,

They hired men with the crab-tree sticks
To strip him skin from bone
And the Miller he served him worse than that:
For he ground him between two stones!
For he ground him between two stones!

They have wheeled him here and wheeled him there
And wheeled him to a barn,
And they have served him worse than that
They have bunged him in a vat!
They have bunged him in a vat!

They have worked their will on John Barleycorn
But he lived to tell the tale;
For they pour him out of an old brown jug,
And they call him home-brewed ale!
And they call him home-brewed ale!
Here's Little Sir John in a nut-brown bowl,
And brandy in a glass!
And Little Sir John in the nut-brown bowl
Proved the stronger man at last!
Proved the stronger man at last!

For the huntsman he can't hunt the fox
Nor loudly blow his horn,
And the tinker can't mend kettles nor pots
Without John Barleycorn!
Without John Barleycorn!
(Note: sing the chorus after every other verse or so. Encourage the group to join the song)

KING HENRY
(Child #32)recorded by Steeleye Span "Below the Salt"
Let never a man a-wooing wend that lacketh thing-s three:
A store of gold, an open heart, and full of charity
And this was said of King Henry, as he lay quite alone
For he's taken him to a Haunted hall, seven miles from the town

He's chased the deer now him before, and the doe down by the glen
When the fattest buck in all the flock, King Henry he has slain
His huntsmen followed him to the Hall, to make them burly cheer
When loud the wind was heard to howl, and an earthquake rocked the floor

As darkness covered all the Hall where they sat at their meat
The grey dogs, yowling, left their food and crept to Henry's feet
And louder howled the rising wind, and burst the fastened door
When in there came a grisly ghost, stamping on the floor!

Her head hit the rooftree of the house, her middle you could not span
Each frightened Huntsman fled the hall, and left the King alone
Her teeth were like the tether-stakes, her nose like club or mall
And nothing less she seemed to be than
 a Fiend that comes from Hell!

Some meat, some meat, you King Henry, some meat you bring to me
Go kill your horse, you King Henry, and bring some meat to me!
And he has slain his berry-brown steed, it made his heart full sore
For she's eaten it up, both skin and bone, left nothing but hide and hair!

More meat, more meat, you King Henry, more meat you give to me!
Oh you must kill your good greyhounds, and bring some meat to me!
And he has slain his good greyhounds, it made his heart full sore
For she's eaten them up, both skin and bone, left nothing but hide and hair!

More meat, more meat, you King Henry, more meat you give to me!
Oh, you must slay your good goshawks, and bring some meat to me!
And he has slain his good goshawks, it made his heart full sore
For she's eaten them up, both skin and bone, left nothing but feathers bare!

Some drink, some drink, you King Henry, some drink you give to me
Oh you sew up your horse's hide, and bring some drink to me!
And he's sewn up the bloody hide, and a pipe of wine put in
And she's drank it up all in one drop, left never a drop therein!

A bed, a bed, now King Henry, a bed you'll make for me!
Oh you must pull the heather green, and make it soft for me!
And he has pulled the heather green, and made for her a bed
And taken has he his good mantle, and over it he has spread.

Take off your clothes, now King Henry, and lie down by my side!
Now swear, now swear, you King Henry, to take me as your Bride!
Oh God forbid, said King Henry, that ever the like betide;
That ever a Fiend that comes from Hell should stretch down by my side!

Then the night was gone, and the day was come and the sun did fill the Hall
The fairest Lady that ever was seen lay twixt him and the wall!
I've met with many a Gentle Knight that gave me such a fill,
But never before with a Perfect Knight, that gave me all my Will!

LORD OF THE DANCE
In response to many requests for information about the neo-pagan version of Lord Of The Dance....
The words are credited to Aidan Kelly, C. Taliesin Edwards, and Ann Cass; the tune (when it isn't "Simple Gifts") is credited to Jenny Peckham-Vanzant, and may be an old shape-note hymn. Aidan Kelly and C. Taliesin Edwards may be the same person. According to the article in the filksong magazine "Filker Up #3," (a reprint from _Kantele_ #12, Fall 1982, and written by Cathy Cook-MacDonald), the first four verses were written by Kelly and Edwards, four more by Ann Cass in 1975-6, and the four seasonal verses by Ann Cass in 1976. Gwydion recorded the song, with variant lyrics, on his
_Songs Of The Old Religion_ tape (not the entire song, though). A version of it can also be found on the tape _Celtic Circle Dance_, by Joe Bethancourt.
She danced on the water, and the wind was Her horn
The Lady laughed, and everything was born
And when She lit the sun and its' light gave Him birth
The Lord of the Dance first appeared on the Earth
  Chorus:
  Dance, dance, where ever you may be
  I am the Lord of the Dance, you see!
  I live in you, and you live in Me
  And I lead you all in the Dance, said He!

I danced in the morning when the World was begun
I danced in the Moon and the Stars and the Sun
I was called from the Darkness by the Song of the Earth
I joined in the Song, and She gave Me the Birth!

I dance in the Circle when the flames leap up high
I dance in the Fire, and I never, ever, die
I dance in the waves of the bright summer sea
For I am the Lord of the wave's mystery

I sleep in the kernel, and I dance in the rain
I dance in the wind, and thru the waving grain
And when you cut me down, I care nothing for the pain;
In the Spring I'm the Lord of the Dance once again!

I dance at the Sabbat when you dance out the Spell
I dance and sing that everyone be well
And when the dancing's over do not think that I am gone
To live is to Dance! So I dance on, and on!

I see the Maidens laughing as they dance in the Sun
And I count the fruits of the Harvest, one by one
I know the Storm is coming, but the Grain is all stored
So I sing of the Dance of the Lady, and Her Lord:

The Horn of the Lady cast its' sound 'cross the Plain
The birds took the notes, and gave them back again
Till the sound of Her music was a Song in the sky
And to that Song there is only one reply:

The moon in her phases, and the tides of the sea
The movement of the Earth, and the Seasons that will be
Are the rhythm for the dancing, and a promise thru the years
That the Dance goes on thru all our joy, and tears

We dance ever slower as the leaves fall and spin
And the sound of the Horn is the wailing of the wind
The Earth is wrapped in stillness, and we move in a trance,
But we hold on fast to our faith in the Dance!

The sun is in the southland and the days grow chill
And the sound of the horn is fading on the hill
'Tis the horn of the Hunter, as he rides across the plain
And the Lady sleeps 'til the Spring comes again

The Sun is in the Southland and the days lengthen fast
And soon we will sing for the Winter that is past
Now we light the candles and rejoice as they burn
And we dance the Dance of the Sun's return!

They danced in the darkness and they danced in the night
They danced on the Earth, and everything was light
They danced out the Darkness and they danced in the Dawn
And the Day of that Dancing is still going on!
I gaze on the Heavens and I gaze on the Earth
And I feel the pain of dying, and re-birth
And I lift my head in gladness, and in praise
For the Dance of the Lord, and His Lady gay

I dance in the stars as they whirl throughout space
And I dance in the pulse of the veins in your face
No dance is too great, no dance is too small,
You can look anywhere, for I dance in them all.

LORD OF THE DANCE
        By: Marty Hale-Evans -- anon., Traditional; adapted
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun;
I was called from the darkness by the song of the Earth,
I joined in the singing and she gave me birth.
        (chorus, repeat after each verse)

  Dance, then, wherever you may be!
  I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
        And I'll lead you on, where ever you may be,
        I will lead you all in the Dance, said he!

I sleep in the kernel and I dance in the rain,
I dance in the wind, and through the waving grain,
And when you cut me down, I care nothing for the pain --
In Spring I'll be Lord of the Dance again!

I see the maidens laughing as they dance in the sun,
 I count the fruits of the harvest, one by one;
 I know the storm is coming, but the grain is all stored,
So I sing of the dance of the Lady and the Lord.

We dance ever slower as the leaves fall and spin
And the sound of the Horn is the wailing of the wind;
The Earth is wrapped in stillness and we move in a trance,
But we hold on fast to our faith in the dance.
The sun is in the south and the days lengthen fast,
And soon we'll sing for the winter that is past,
Now we light the candles and rejoice as they burn,
And dance the dance of the sun's return!

They cut me down, but I leap up high!
I am life that will never, never die.
I'll live in you and you'll live in me --
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he!

The moon in her phases and the tides of the sea,
The movement of Earth, and the seasons that will be
Are rhythm for the dancing and a promise through the years -
The Dance goes on through joy and tears.       

NUDE
W.J.Bethancourt IIIEd Hirt
copyright 1982 W.J.Bethancourt III and Ed Hirt
Tune: "Men of Harlech"

What the use of wearing panties
Whalebone corsets of your Auntie's
Boxer shorts and other scanties
Best of all is nude
There's such fun in going bra-less
Now that it's no longer lawless
'Specially if your figure's flawless
Best of all is nude
Nude is what you're born in
Shirts are never torn in
Underwear and lacy flimsies, garter belts and other whimsies
Yards of itchy cloth to put your form in
Ducks all do it, maidens rue it
Even ancient Picts in Britain blue it
Going naked's how to do itBest of all is nude!

If your garters aren't elastic
Tie them up in knots fantastic
(Panty hose is something drastic!)
Best of all is nude!
If you're tired of wearing clotheses
Shed your garment 'mongst the roses
Never mind the old bluenoses
Best of all is nude!
Nude is best for ducking!
Worst for horses bucking!
Moonlit nights will see such sights
that are very best for fooling round
... and elbows!
Nudity is grand to see
A well-known antidote to virginity
Take your clothes off and you'll see:
Best of all is nude!

SPRING STRATHSPEY
Gwydion PenDerwyn   copyright probably to Nemeton

Myrddyn was playing his pipes in the wood,
And it sounded so good to my feeling.
Hiree, hiroo stirred the dance in the blood,
And my fresh maidenhood started reeling.

  Chorus:
Sweetly it drew me, the song that went through me,
 As if sure it knew me, a maiden-song, laughing long.
  I'm sure that I hear it, Oh, let me draw near it,
  I want to be merrily courted in spring.

Round us the trees formed a wheel in my mind,
As if all womankind were careering.
Softly he touched me, our hands intertwined,
And we gently reclined in the clearing.

Dew-fall to star-fall he made love to me,
In a manner so free and revealing.
Swift-footed, light-footed, goat-footed, he
Played a sweet melody with such feeling.

Daylight and I wake to spring's sweet bouquet
And a glorious day of beginning.
Myrddyn has gone on his magical way,
But the equinox day leaves me spinning.

STAND UP, STAND UP FOR ODIN
Robert Cook    Tune: "Stand Up For Jesus"
Stand up! Stand up for Odin, you warriors of the beard!
lift high the Raven Banner that half the world has feared!
From Angleland to far Vinland shall sound the Warrior's Cry
Till every foe is vanquished, and Odin reigns most high!

March forth with steel flashing beneath the naked Sun
and never stand at rest again 'til all the World is won!
Let scarlet sword his symbol carve in every nation's sod
'Til every man still breathing stands up for Odin God!

Let ships with prows of Dragons the mighty oceans cleave
and every land not Odin's our crimson gifts receive
let Raven Banners fill the sky where every man has trod
And all the soil beneath them belong to OdinGod!

Stand up! Stand up for Odin, you Warriors of the North!
With silver swords a-flashing to victory go forth!
From Angleland to far Vinland our joyous conquest lead
'Til every foe is vanquished, and Odin's Lord, indeed!

THE BARD'S SONG
W.J.Bethancourt IIIc) copyright 1990
Tune: "Dublin City"
As I walked out one quiet evening
At the hour of twelve at night
Who should I meet but a fair young maiden
Combin' her hair by candle light;
Lassie, I have come a-courtin'
Your kind favours for to win
And if you'd heed my petition
I would be your Paladin...

  Chorus:
  Gather roses in the Springtime
  Gather roses while ye may,
  Time is passing; roses wither;
  Winter comes; we're here -today-.

Have you seen the dew a-formin'
On the grass at early morn?
Have you seen the forest quiet,
Or a stag that's barely born?
Have you seen the dawn a-breakin'
O'er the Western Ocean's tide?
Have you felt my heart a-beatin'
When it's held close to your side?

I can give no gold or silver,
I can give no fields of land,
I can give no servants brisk
To wait on you both foot and hand;
I can give you wide roads callin'
Wind and Rain, and Moon and Sun,
Songs to sing, and love and laughter,
Dresses made of plain home-spun.

Come dance with me upon the greensward
in the moonlight, in the Spring.
Dance with me within the forest
Dance with me within the ring!
Earth below us, stars above us,
Fire and water by our side,
Dance with me within the moonlight,
Dance with me, and be my Bride!

THE CHILDISH EDDA
Poul Anderson/ Ron Ellik
Tune: "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp"
Yggdrasil, where Nine Worlds clash, is a noble piece of ash
That shelters Norns and Gods and all that crew
There, a Dragon gnaws the base of an Eagle's resting place,
And four Harts, a Goat and Squirrel are there too!

Frigga took a year or so, and, except for mistletoe
Got from everything an Oath for Balder's good
Evil Loki wished him harm, so he hired Hodr's arm,
And the staff the Blind God threw was kissing-wood!

Tyr vowed Fenris-Wolf his hand if he couldn't break the Band
That All-Father's wisdom made both light and hefty...
Lupine muscles strained away, but the magic held its' sway -
And from then on, till The Time, they called Tyr "Lefty!"

When Thor went out to fish, he quickly got his wish,
and he hauled a Jormangandr from the Bay.
But Hymr cut the cable, and Thor was only able
To brag about the "one that got away..."

When Thor called upon the Giants, they didn't show defiance,
But they soon got rid of him, and of his Hammer!
For the sea he could not swallow, and old Grandmaw beat him hollow,
And the House-Pet caused an awful katzenjammer!

Asa-Thor became a "her" for to repossess Mjollnir,
And unto a frosty brute his troth did plight;
But the vittles that he ate would an army more than sate,
And the chefs at Utgard always rued that night!

Each God's Apple every day, kept the doctor far away
'Til a Giant captured Ydun from their Halls...
Loki fetched home Bragi's Bride, with Her health-food store beside,
Plus a char-broiled eagle underneath the Walls!

Odin said to Mim: "I think I would sort of like a drink."
Answered Mim: "That will cost you your left eye!
For you've come up very late to the Well at Wisdom's Gate
And the set-up prices, after hours, are high!"

Oh, the Giants brought their War up to Bifrost's very Door
And the battling wrecked Asgards perfect clime-
Jormungandr, Hel and Fenris dealt out Death in doses generous
And, in fighting, did the Aesir pass The Time!

THE HIGH HOLIDAY SONG
Melusine  Tune "The Serving-Girl's Holiday"
I've waited longing for today
Spin the bobbin and spool away!
In joy and bliss I'm off to play
Upon this high holiday!

  Chorus:
  And spin the bobbin and spool away!
  Oh joy that it's a holiday!

This night of (name) now we greet
Hail my friends, and merry meet!
Strike the harp; the drum we'll beat
Upon this high holiday!

The wine and cakes we've bought and made
Found a spot in a moon-lit glade
Our love and trust will never fade
Especially on this holiday!

In forst glade we've built a fire
Symbol of our heart's desire
Within Her Love we'll never tire
Wit thee well this holiday!

Cast the Circle, we're within
Let the Spiral Dance begin!
Invite the Lord and Lady in
Upon this high holiday!

Dancing, spinning to the tune
The Piper plays beneath the moon
We chant as one the Witches' Rune
Upon this high holiday!

THE SONG OF WANDERING AENGUS
Wm. Butler Yeatsrecorded by Judy Collins
I went out to the hazel - wood
Because a fire was in my head
Cut and peeled a hazel - wand
Tied a berry to a thread
And when white moths were on the wing
And moth - white stars were flickering out
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout ...
I had but laid it on the bank
And gone to blow the fire a-flame
Something rustled in the air
Something called me by my name!
It had become a glimmering Girl
With apple - blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name, and ran
And vanished in the brightening air ...
Though I am old, with wandering
Thru hilly lands, and hollow lands;
I'll find out where she has gone
To seek her lips, to take her hands-
And walk thru long green dappled grass;
To pluck 'til Time, and times are done:
The Silver Apples of the Moon;
The Golden Apples of the Sun ...

THE THONG OF THOR
Anonymous       Tune: "Girl I Left Behind Me"
In days of yore, the great god Thor would ramp around creation.
He'd drink a pint and slay a giant and save the Nordic nation,
Or kill a Worm to watch it squirm and vainly try to fang him,
Or lock up Loki in the pokey and on the noggin bang him.

Once he did bawl through Thrudvang Hall that on a trip he'd wander
In a disguise from prying eyes, in Midgard way out yonder,
So all his slaves, huscarls and knaves, packed up his goods and gear, O,
And off he strode, on Bifrost road, a perfect Aryan hero.

In Midgard land he joined a band of hardy Viking ruff-i-ans,
And off they sailed and rowed and bailed among the auks and puff-i-ans.
Whene'er they'd reach a foreign beach they stopped to raid and plunder;
Each Nordic brute got so much loot their longship near went under.

But as they rolled in coins of gold, they had one joy forsaken,
For on each raid Thor's party made, no women could be taken.
Each drab and queen fled from the scene when Viking sails were sighted,
And Thor felt the need for certain deeds that had gone unrequited.

Thor's brows were black as they went back to Oslo's rocky haven;
Unto his crew he said, "Beshrew me for a Frankish craven
"If I don't wrench some tavern wench, or else may Frigga damn her."
Replied one voice, "You got first choice; you've got the biggest hammer."

Into an inn that crew of sin disembarked upon their landing,
Each tavern maid was sore afraid of pirates of such standing.
But golden coins warmed up their loins and the ale soon ran free;
Thor's motley crew poured down the brew and made an all-night spree.

Thor's glances strayed unto a maid with hair as gold as grain,
A lisp so shy, a downcast eye, and not a trace of brain;
He swept her charms into his arms and to an upstairs bower,
And did not cease nor give her ease for six days and an hour!

When he rose up and drained a cup, she looked like one that's near death:
Her limbs were weak, she could not speak, and only gasped for her breath.
"You ought to know, before I go, I'm Thor," he bade adieu.
"You're Thor!" said she.  "Conthider me!  I'm thorer, thir, than you!"

THE VALKYRIE SONG
Tune: Wagner's "Flight of the Valkyries"
We fly through the night skies
Flashing our fat thighs,
Picking up dead guys;
You call this a job?

You take the blond guy,
I'll take the redhead!
Wait, he's not dead yet;
Let him go . . . splat!

  Chorus:
  Woo-oop! Woo-oop!
  Woo-oop! Woo-oop!
  Woo-oop! Woo-oop!
  Woo-oop! Woo-oop!
  Oh-h-h-h-h-h!

We're hunting the Wabbit!
We're hunting the Wabbit!
We're hunting the Wabbit!
We're hunting the Wabbit!

THE WICCAN REDE
Tune: "Leatherwing Bat" aka "Celtic Circle Dance"
Bide the wiccan laws you must,
In perfect love and perfect trust:
Live you must and let to live,
Fairly take and fairly give

Form the circle thrice about
To keep unwelcome spirits out
To bind your spell will every time,
Let the spell be spake in rhyme
Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak you little, listen much
Deosil go by the waxing moon,
Chanting out the baleful tune

When the Lady's moon is new,
Kiss your hand to her times two
When the moon rides at her peak,
Then your heart's desire seek

Heed the north winds mighty gale,
Lock the door and trim the sail
When the wind comes from the south,
Love will kiss thee on the mouth

When the wind blows from the east,
Expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind blows from the west
Bardic words be at their best!

When ye have and hold a need,
Harken not to others greed
With a fool no season spend,
Or be counted as his friend

When misfortune is enow,
Wear the star upon thy brow
True in love you ever be,
Lest thy love be false to thee

Merry meet and merry part,
Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the threefold law you should
Three times bad and three times good

Nine woods in the cauldron go,
Burn them fast and burn them slow
Elder be the Lady's tree,
Burn it not or cursed you'll be

When the wheel begins to turn,
Soon the Beltane fires will burn
When the wheel hath turned a Yule
Light the log the Horned One rules

Heed you flower, bush and tree,
By the Lady blessed be
Where the rippling waters go,
Cast a stone, the truth you'll know

Bide the wiccan laws you must,
In perfect love and perfect trust:
These words the wiccan rede fulfill;
"An harm you none, do what you will."

THE WITCH'S BALLAD
Doreen Valiente?
Oh, I have been beyond the town,
Where nightshade black and mandrake grow,
And I have heard and I have seen
What righteous folk would fear to know!
For I have heard, at still midnight,
Upon the hilltop far, forlorn,
With note that echoed through the dark,
The winding of the heathen horn.

And I have seen the fire aglow,
And glinting from the magic sword,
And with the inner eye beheld
The Horned One, the Sabbat's lord.
We drank the wine, and broke the bread,
And ate it in the Lady's name.
We linked our hands to make the ring,
And laughed and leaped the Sabbat game.

Oh, little do the townsfolk reck,
When dull they lie within their bed!
Beyond the streets, beneath the stars,
A merry round the witches tread!
And round and round the circle spun,
Until the gates swung wide ajar,

That bar the boundaries of earth
From faery realms that shine afar.

Oh, I have been and I have seen
In magic worlds of Otherwhere.
For all this world may praise or blame,
For ban or blessing nought I care.
For I have been beyond the town,
Where meadowsweet and roses grow,
And there such music did I hear
As worldly-rightous never know.

STOLEN CHILD
attributed to William Butler Yeats
http://www.online-literature.com/yeats/816/
(Heather Alexander sings an absolutely haunting version of this
- I think that it's on her "Wanderlust" CD.)

        Where dips the rocky highlands
        Of Slueth wood in the lake
        There lies a leafy island
        Where flapping herons wake
        The drowsy water rats
        There we've hid our fairy vats
        Full of berries
        And of reddest stolen cherries
        (Chorus)
        Come away human child
        To the woods and waters wild
        With a faery hand in hand
        For the world's more full of weeping
        Than you can understand
        Where the wave of moonlight glosses
        The dim grey sands with light
        Far off by Furthest Rosses
        We foot it all the night
        Weaving olden dances
        Mingling hands and mingling glances
        Til the moon has taken flight
        To and fro we leap
        And chase the frothy bubbles
        While the world is full of troubles
        And anxious in its sleep
        Come away human child
        To the woods and waters wild
        With a faery hand in hand
        For the world's more full of weeping
        Than you can understand
        Where the wandering water gushes
        From the hills above Glen Car
        In pools among the rushes
        That scarce could bathe a star
        We seek for slumbering trout
        And whispering in their ears
        Give them evil dreams
        Leaning softly out
        From ferns that drop their tears
        Of dew on the young streams

        Come away human child
        To the woods and waters wild
        With a faery hand in hand
        For the world's more full of weeping
        Than you can understand

        Away with us he's going
        The solemned eyed
        He'll hear no more the lowing
        Of the calves on the warm hillside
        Or kettle on the hob
        Sing peace unto his breast
        Or see the brown mice bob
        Round and round the oatmeal chest

        For he comes, the human child
        To the woods and waters wild
        With a faery hand in hand
        For the world's more full of weeping
        Than he can understand

WE WON’T WAIT ANY LONGER - Gwyddion
        Chorus:
        We won't wait any longer
        We are stronger than before.
        We won't wait any longer
        We are stronger....

        We have trusted no man's promise.
        We have kept to just ourselves.
        We have suffered from the lies
        in all the books upon your shelves.
        And our patience and endurance
        through the Burning Times and now
        have given us the strength to keep our vow.
        (Chorus)
        You have grazed away the Heather
        and erased the Sacred Grove.
        You have driven Native peoples
        from the places that they love.
        Though your greed has been unbounded
        you have felt the pangs of shame
        everytime you trod upon the Mother's name.
        Chorus

        Though you thought you had destroyed
        the mem'ry of the Ancient Ways
        Still the People light the Balefire
        every year on Solstice Day.
        And on Beltane eve and Samhain
        You find us on the Hill
        invoking once again the Triple Will.
        Chorus
        Through the ages many races
        have risen and have gone.
        But dispersed among the nations
        of the world we linger on.
        Now the time has come to take
        the Ancient Cauldron of Rebirth
        and fulfill our ancient pledges to the Earth.

        We won't wait any longer
        We are stronger than before
        We won't wait any longer
        We are stronger....
 1981, Gwydion, from the album "The Faerie Shaman
        
BRING BACK THE LIGHT
        Spin Merry Meet, Merry Meet in good measure.
        Follow along as you join in the dance.
        Sing Merry Meet, Merry Meet in the Circle.
        Come on along as you join in the song.

        Bring back the Light.
        Light neverending.
        Through dark of night,
        this call we are sending.
        With all our might.
        Bring back the Light.

        Bring back the Light.
        Our hearts are open.
        On Soltice night
        We are invoking
        The Lord of Light.
        Bring back the Light

        Queen of the Stars, Queen of the Moon,
        Queen of the Horns and Queen of Fire.
        Lord of Life, Seed of Light
        Flame that warms the coldest night.
        Queen of the Stars, Queen of the Moon,
        Queen of the Horns and Queen of Fire.
        Hearken to the Witches' Rune,
        work our will as we desire.
        Lord of Life, Seed of Light
        Flame that warms the coldest night.
        Bring to us the Waxing Light,
        be with us on Solstice night.

        Bring back the Light.
        Light is descending.
        To Earth tonight,
        Light neverending.
        To Earth tonight
        Bring back the Light.
        by Gypsy - from the album "Enchantress."         ---

THE WICCAN SHAMAN DRUID SONG
Lyrics by Eran (with help from Roisin)
to the tune of "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy"
I'm a Wiccan-Shaman-Druid,
I am new age through and through.
Decked in crystals from my head to toe,
With feathers and pyramids, too.
My spirit-guide is from Atlantis.
He's a Zen-Aztec guru.
Come and spend the weekend with us,
For two thousand dollars
You'll be a Wiccan-Shaman too.

I'm an Elvis-Loki-Viking.
I channel Ashley Montague.
In a former life I was a gypsy clerk,
Bull fighter, and troubadour, too.
I know five Illuminati,
They're a strange and motley crew.
There's a priest from ancient China,
He lives in my basement.
He is an Elvis-Viking too.

My coven is part Rosicrucian,
Mixed with some Theosophy.
Add in some stuff from the Golden Dawn,
`Cause Crowley's just all right with me.
I've got twelve initiations,
I've seen all there is too see.
And watch out for those strange
Co-Mason-Santaria-Druids,
They'll cement your chickens to a tree.

I've got a pipe ceremony,
Adapted from the O.T.O.
I use a sweatlodge for my Beltane rites,
The Maypole is just there for show.
I have got a glass athame,
With batteries to make it glow.
It's just great for calling quarters
In my new tradition:
The Lynn Andrews-Buckland-Starhawk Grove.

ETERNAL CHILD Lady Isadore
Birth to Death, Death to Rebirth
Eternal Child of Mother Earth
Whatever your spirits path may be
My love and prayers go with thee
All that comes from the Lady's hand
One day must be given back again
But the grain that falls beneath the Reapers blade
Into the Bread of Life is Made
Birth to Death, Death to Rebirth
Eternal Child of Mother Earth
Whatever your spirits path may be
My love and prayers go with thee
The Lady's way are a mystery
But this I know, This can see
The winter's cold does bring forth spring
The Darkest night the dawn does bring
Birth to Death, Death to Rebirth
Eternal Child of Mother Earth
Whatever your spirits path may be
My love and prayers go with thee
Birth to Death, Death to Rebirth
Eternal Child of Mother Earth
Whatever your spirits path may be
My love and prayers go with thee

 MERRY MEET, MERRY PART
 Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet
again.  To Fire and to Water, to Earth and to Wind, To the Circle of Life,
the Dance never ends So merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.  May the Lord and the Lady
guide you safely till then May your days all be peaceful and joyful, my
friend.  SO merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.  Merry meet,
merry part, and merry meet again.  May skill and good fortune build the
work of your hand May the love of the lady bless all of your friends So
merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.  Merry meet, merry part, and
merry meet again.  And if something should happen to one of us, friends
I'll still see you later on some other plane.  So merry meet, merry part,
and merry meet again.  Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.  To
Fire and to Water, to Earth and to Wind, To the Circle of Life, the Dance
never ends So merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.  >

_DIRGE FOR HALLOWS_
 by Crista Haydn(to the tune of Dies Irae)
Hear my voice O Lord of Hades,
Salve my sorrow, Summer's fading
Muse, lend thine eloquence to mine.

End the year and end the Harvest,
Burn the fields where life abounded,
All that remains is mem'ry's wine.

Where the roses of the Summer?
Where the Light when leaves are falling?
Where are the deeds that I have done?

As the sowing, so the reaping,
Turn the year from joy to weeping,
The time for weighing grain has come.

Wine distills the Sun of Summer,
Still I wait and watch and wonder,
Still I attend upon the Spring.

Deep in silence speaks the wisdom:
Let me treasure Autumn's season,
Time to reflect and time to plan.

Burn the fields and fill the grain bins;
Rise the shades to whisper longings;
Earth reds Her garments, mourns the Sun.

HERETIC HEART
by Catherine Madsen found on a tape by Holly Tannen - `Between the Worlds'
I am a bold and a pagan soul
Come rambling through this land.
I judge the world by my own lights
And I come by my own hand.
And if you ask me how I have learned
To live so recklessly:
My skin, my bones, my heretic heart
Are my authority.

My mother lives her life in fear;
My father's a broken man
But I have sung in the ancient Dance
and danced on holy land.
I sing the seed up out of the ground
And the bird down from the tree,
My skin my bones, my heretic heart
Are my authority.

I once was found but now am gone
Out of the faithful fold
Of those who think that holiness
Is to do as you are told.
Though man and scripture, priest and law
Have all instructed me;
My skin, my bones, my heretic heart
Are my authority.

The tell me Jesus loves me,
Well, I fear he must love in vain
For what can any man-god know
Of woman's secret pain.
My healer is the lady moon
Whose tides run deep in me;
My skin, my bones, my heretic heart
Are my authority.

So while I breathe this glorious air
An outlaw I'll remain.
My body may not be subdued,
My soul shall not be saved.
And where I may not shout aloud
I'll sing it secretly:
My skin, my bones, my heretic heart
Are my authority.

ALL SOULS NIGHT
Bonfires dot the rolling hilsides
Figures  dance around and around
To drums  that pulse out echoes of Darkness
Moving to the Pagan Sound

Somewhere  in  a Hidden memory
Images float before my eyes
Of fragrant nights of strw and of Bonfires
And dancing till the next sunrise

I can see light in the distance
Trempblin  in the Dark Cloark  of night
Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing
A  waltz on all  souls night

Figure of cornstalks  bend in the Shadows
Held up tall  as the flames leap high
The green  knight holds  the holly bush
To  mark  where the old year passes by

Bonifres dot the rolling  hillsides
Figures  dance around and  around
To  drums that pulse out echoes if darkness
And  moving  to the pagan sound

Standing on the  bridge that crosses
The river that goes out to the sea
The wind  is full of a thosand voices
They pass by the  bride and  me.

I can see the light in the distance
Trembling in the dark cloark  of  night
Candles and lanters  are dancing dancing
A  waltz  on all souls night.
Lyrics by  Loreena  McKennitt

MY PLASTICV LADY
Ohhhh, I don't keer if it's sun or shady
Cuz I got mah Plastic Lady
Stuck onto the handle of my brooooom!

When the Unbelievers falter
I whip out my Foldin' Altar (tm)
A-weavin threads upon mah Kozmick Loom!

The Lord I pray to's not the same One
As the other meek'n'tame one!
An' I don't think the two will ever meet!

An' I'm a livin' fire-breathin'
Ale-guzzling Pagan Heathen
My breath alone will knock ya off yer feet!
The Cath-O-lics'll never pass us
(Y'don't git hung over from THEIR masses!)
Plus, them buggers don't know how to fight!

Swing a sword in their direction
What you get is mass defection!
They faint like flies when you perform the Rite!

Reg'lar Christians mostly cluesless
New Agers just limp an' useless
Us Pagans got 'em sashayed by a mile!

Throw that IN-cense on the fire
raise that knife and chalice higher
We'll pop a bheer an start gettin wild!

Give a cheer fer old Cernunnos
Wish a pox on Auntie Bluenose
Give 'em rigid digits when they sneer

Git them skyclad priests a prancin'
CELEBRATE HIGH WIDE AN' HANDSOME
Us Folk won't die til we run outta BHEER!

NOW WE GO ROUND THE MAYPOLE HIGH
(sung to Here we go round the Mulberry Bush)
by Morwenna Bucknell
In the book - Festivals Family & Food
by Diana Carey & Judy Large

Now we go Round the Maypole High
Maypole High, Maypole High
Now we go Round the Maypole High
Let the color ribbons fly.

See lasses and lads go tripping by,
Tripping by, Tripping by,
See lasses and lads go tripping by,
Let colored ribbons fly.

In rainbow hues make garlands fly,
Garlands fly, Garlands fly,
In rainbow hues make garlands fly,
Let colored ribbons fly.

Three Fine Crones
(sung to Three Blind Mice)by Dawn Wicca
Three fine crones, Three fine crones
See the year start, see the year start
We are the coming year's midwife
We cut up a pumpkin with a carving knife
Have you ever seen such sights in your life as
Three fine crones

SONG OF THE WITCH
 by Selena Fox tune of Scarborough Fair
Will you be of Wicca tonight?
     .... Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme
Then come with me to the Circle of Light
     .... Send the will, the wish you shall find

Take up these herbs and brew up a tea....
Drink it all down, the gods you shall see....

Take up the glass and look at your face....
Go into your self to find a new place....

Go to the woods and find an oak tree....
Cling to it tight and strong you shall be....

Go to the mountains and call up the wind....
Fly though the air with thoughts that you send....

Fly to the sun and touch its bright flame....
Open your mind and choose a new name....

Go to the sea and call to the Moon....
Raise up your arms and sing out her tune....

Join your hands with those who surround....
Share the power that we send around....

We shall part, but meet again soon....
To dance and sing and call down the Moon....

How about the following for the first verse?

     Come and share our circle tonight
          ....share the cakes and drink of the wine
     She'll be here the moment it's right
          ....send the will, the wish you shall find

LADY’S BRANSEL
Oh she will bring the buds in the spring
And dance among the flowers
In summer's heat her kisses are sweet
She sings in leafy bower

She cuts the cane and gathers the grain
When fruits of fall surround her
Her bones grow old in wintry cold
She wraps her cloak around her

Oh he will call the leaves in the fall
To dance their colors brightly
When warmth is lost, he paints with the frost
His silver touches lightly

He greets the day and dances the May
With his ribbons round about him
We eat the corn and drink from his horn
We would not be without him
               By Gwydion Pendderwen

LULLABY
               By Diane Baker
Lady hold her while she sleeps,
give her visions she can keep.
Make her safe until the light,
thank you, Goddess, of the night.
All that I hold between my hands
belongs to the Goddess.

Make her healthy, keep her strong,
let her live a life that's long.
Give her wisdom and self worth,
thank you, Goddess, for her birth.
All that I hold between my hands
 belongs to the Goddess.

Give her knowledge, make her bright,
let her know what's wrong and right.
Give her friends, let love be hers,
thank you, Goddess, for little girls.
All that I hold between my hands
belongs to the Goddess.

As she grows up let life thrive!
Animals and plants survive.
Peace and health for everyone,
 bless us, Maiden, Mother, Crone.
All that I hold between my hands
 belongs to the Goddess.

OCEAN LULLABY
               By Anne Hill
I'm the body of the ocean, the roar of the sea, I can swim with the dolphins
and they sing to me, and I roll on the waves and I wash through the deep, as I go to sleep.

REMEMBER CHILD
Chorus:
Remember, remember child
Others died that you might live
Remember, remember child
Offer your thanks for the gifts that they give

The Winter Lord died, is reborn as the Sun
The Oaken King changes to the Holly One
In the Spring the seed becomes John Barleycorn
In Autumn He dies and again is reborn
Chorus
The salmon swims up the stream to spawn
And is caught in the nets of the Children of Dawn
The stag will run with his horns held high
But for mean on the table, the stag must die
Chorus
The corn in the fields and the grape on the vine
Both must be slaughtered for the cakes and wine
The wheel goes around but remains the same
In death your body feeds the grapes and grain
 Chorus
               By Breid Foxsong

UNORTHODOXY
Tune: Doxology or Old 100th)
Praise Her from whom all blessings flow.
For waters deep and fire's glow.
For life and breath and Earth our home.
Praise Mother, Maid and Ancient Crone.
Blessed be.
   PAGAN GRACE
   (Tune: Doxology)
   Praise Her from whom all blessings flow.
   Fruits of Her harvest to bestow.
   Sustain us as we change and grow.
   Praise Mother Earth our ancient home.
   Blessed be.
   By Linda Pinti, former CUUPS Chair

 MORNING/EVENING SONG
Lady of the Moon descend.
Guard and keep your little friend.
'Til the longest night is done.
And I rise to greet the sun.

Father Sun, who starts my day.
Grows my food and lights my way.
Bless all those you shine upon,
Warm our hearts till night has come.

Power of the East we call.
Bring your wisdom to us all.
Open up our inner sight,
Bring us safely through the night.

Guardians of the Southern fires,
Protect us as our body tires,
Bring your healing to our dreams,
Wake us with your bright sunbeams.

Water flowing from the West,
Guard and watch us as we rest,
Your love flows 'ore one and all,
For all your children large and small.

Northern watchers come be near,
Mother Earth that we hold dear,
Help us grow both strong and sure,
Keep our hearts and spirits pure.
     By Hilary Karna & Rhiannon Bennett

 CRONES LULLABY
 Go to sleep, dream ye deep
 Where the memories keep,
 But return to your momma, little baby.
 My desire was the fire, your sire to inspire
And you'll ever be loved, little baby.
I will come if you call me,
Call to me, call to me.
But I hear my baby wailing,
Set me free, set me free.
When you wake at day break,
For your own mother's sake,
Say a blessing for me, little baby.

I was forsworn long before
The day you were born
You'd be the sunshine for me, little baby.
When you smile, little child
All the creatures in the wild,
Come to bask in your light, little baby.

You were born on a winter's day,
 Winter's day, winter's day.
But the years will come and take you
Far away, far away.
When I'm old in the cold,
With nothing to hold,
I will never forget my little baby.
               Music by Gwydion Pendderwen
               Words by Rhiannon Bennett

TEACHER’S SONG
Question everything that I tell you
Ask until you understand
This isn't a system that's perfect
But I'm doing the best that I can
I wasn't always a teacher
Once I was a beginner like you
Listen very carefully to these words
Cause they're the only I'll swear are true

Just because I say it, doesn't mean it's so
Let your heart and the Goddess within
Guide you as you go
Just because I say it, doesn't mean it's true
Let the Lord and the Lady and your intuition
Find a path for you

Always keep your eyes open
'Cause everything good isn't old
I'm not looking for robots
Who only do things they are told
This is a religion of learning
But it also comes from the heart
Pick and choose among what you use
And you're ready to make a start

Remember...
Just because I say it, doesn't mean it's so
Let your heart and the Goddess within
Guide you as you go
Just because I say it, doesn't mean it's true
Let the Lord and the Lady and your intuition
Find a path for you

Tradition isn't always stagnant
Innovation isn't always wrong
A little infusion dispels the delusion
And makes the tradition strong
What I'm giving you is a foundation
On which you can take root and grow
Someday you'll be telling your own students
What I hope that they already know

That...
Just because you say it, doesn't mean it's so
Let their hearts and the Goddess within
Guide them as they go
Just because you say it, doesn't mean it's true
Let the Lord and the Lady and their intuition
Find a path that's true

Just because I say it, doesn't mean it's so
Let your heart and the Goddess within
Guide you as you go
Just because I say it, doesn't mean it's true
Let the Lord and the Lady and your intuition
Find a path for you
               By Breid Foxsong

MARILYN’S TREE SONG
               Chorus:
Strong as on Oak Tree
Magick as a Rowan bough
Limber and lithe like the Willow I bend
Tenacious as Ivy, Apple and I both will give
Hazel's knowledge of the future I hold

Like a deer I'm running wild
Dappled 'neath the green wood trees
Secrets of the forest and the Earth I will find
Mountain deep and tone wise, I will gather the harvest's gold
Earth Mother, Horned Lord, I am your child
Chorus
Thunder drums as lightening and
I will dance across the sky
Balefires burn with the knowledge of old
Joining hands we circle 'round, and draw the Lord and Lady in
Raise our hearts and our hands to the Gods
Chorus
Hawthorn's Daughter, Birch's Son
We are the Children of the Land
Rooted in the Earth and reaching toward the sky
Living like the Evergreen, the promise we'll be born again
Join with me now raise your voices and cry
WE ARE...
Chorus
 By Breid Foxsong

AMAZING GRACE
Amazing Grace, how sweet the Earth
That bore a witch like me.
I once was burned, now I survive
Was hung and now I sing.

'Twas Grace that drew down the moon
And Grace that raised the seas.
The magic in the people's will
Will set our mother free.

We face the East and breathe the winds
That move across the Earth.
From gentle breeze to hurricane,
Our breath will bring forth change.

Turn toward the South and feel the fire
That burn in you and me.
The spirit's flame will rise again
And burn eternally.

We greet the West, our souls awash
In tides of primal birth.
Our tears and blood, our pain and love
Will cleanse and heal the Earth.

Reach to the North and know your roots
Down deep ancestral caves.
We find the wisdom of the Crone,
"Of circles we are made."

Amazing Earth, enduring life,
From death unto rebirth.
'Tis Earth I am and Earth I love,
And Earth I'll always be.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the Earth
That bore witches like we.
We once were burned, now we survive
Were hung and now we sing.

Goddess bless, so mote it be.
Our magic spirals on.
Merry meet and merry part,
And merry meet again.
               By Margot Adler

CITY PAGANS
By:  Kenny and Tzipora
We have hidden in the valleys
We've hidden in the woods
In the cities we were nameless
And our rites remained in hoods.

But the time has come upon us
To rebuild the cup of joy
From the cities great and mighty
Sparta, Crete and Troy.

We have loosed the call among us
To our kinfolk near and far
Our gods respond and answer
"Spread more beauty and more cheer.

Though once the price was costly
We require from you this:
Love and trust and friendship
And the sacred five-fold kiss."

Now the burning times have ended
And Gaea awaits her call
From the distant country farmlands
And the cities great and tall.

For deep within the cities wait
The power of rebirth
To greet the gods of ancients
And their duties to the earth

Once the gods had flourished
In the hills and mountains high
But now their children need them
In the cities hear their cry!

The age of science welcomes
Once again the myth of old
Of promises unbroken
Yes, our children will be told.

The age of science welcomes
Once again the myth of old
Of promises unbroken
Yes, our children will be told.

HECATE
By: Tamara James
In the Heart of my dreams, there's a lady who moves,
Spreading darkness all over the land
Face it in the veils of her raven black hair
You can see the night fall from her hands
I stood long ago, on a windy black plain
And into the darkness I gazed
Then I saw without seeing my lady appear
In her eyes a dark fire seemed to blaze.

And my soul reaches out, and it cries to my mind,
Turn away, turn away from the Sun.
What the bright day has lost, only shadows may find.
In the darkness, the mystery's begun.

The I heard on the wind, she was calling my name,
Saying 'Child, you're a daughter of mine.
Come walk with me now and I'll teach you my ways.
Raise my cup to me, drink my dark wine.
The gale was around me, it tore through my hair.
My heart beat with passion and fear.
And I tried to imagine my world without her,
And a wind with no whispers to hear.

And my soul reaches out, and it cries to my mind,
Turn away, turn away from the Sun.
What the bright day has lost, only shadows may find.
In the darkness, the mysterys begun.

I looked on her face, and I raised up my glass.
I drank in her will with the wine.
The we walked many miles though I moved not a pace,
And my soul with her power entwined.
Deep as wells were here eyes, like the raven her hair,
And her robes were the skies of the night.
Then I fell to the earth and took hold of the stones,
And I gave myself up to her night.

And my soul reaches out, and it cries to my mind,
Turn away, turn away from the Sun.

What the bright day has lost, only shadows may find.
In the darkness, the mysterys begun.

She lifted me gently, and sadly she smiled:
My way is not easy said she.
My gift is my wisdom and that must be earned,
But the earning is what sets you free.
From that day, she's been with me when darkness is nigh.
My Lady speaks softly to me.
My Queen of all magick, my Goddess, my joy;
On the winds I still hear Hecate.

And my soul reaches out, and it cries to my mind,
Turn away, turn away from the Sun.
What the bright day has lost, only shadows may find.
In the darkness, the mystery's begun.

HERNE
By: Jennifer Holding
Now sit ye down and I'll tell a tale
As strange as any told
Of a lady of the Yorkshire moor
Where the morning mist lays cold
Her wits had left her long ago
There was madness in her eyes
Though she spoke to none
Some days at dawn
You could hear her laughing cries

The hunter and the hunted
You wear a thin disguise
The Moon rides on your shoulder
But the Sun shines from your eyes
I cannot look upon you
I cannot look away
But I hear the sound
Of a hunter's horn
That greets the dawning day
Fa la la, la la, la la la la
La la, la la la la

She built her cottage years ago
And she lived there all alone
She was the only living soul
Who would call the moor her home
For tales were told of many
Who had vanished in the dawn
And of madmen who had heard the cry
Of Herne the Hunter's horn
The lady too had heard the tales
But she could never fear
The Hornèd God of winter dreams
When she heard him riding near
And then one night her longing eyes
Saw a figure tall and grim
Like a shadow glimpsed in the misty night
And she sang her song to him

The Hunter and the Hunted
You wear a thin disguise
The Moon rides on your shoulder
But the Sun shines from your eyes
I cannot look upon you
I cannot look away
But I hear the sound
Of a hunter's horn
That greets the dawning day
Fa la la, la la, la la la la
La la, la la la la

He rode his horse up to the door
And she bade him enter there
But he simply smiled and reached
To lay his hand upon her hair
My lady I have ridden here
In answer to your call
But I'll not sit under any roof
Nor drink in any hall
You sing to me of your desire
But you must understand
My heart belongs to the silver Moon
And the wild deserted land
How can you give your love to one
You never can possess
Or sacrifice your sanity
For a wild ride and a kiss

The Hunter and the Hunted
You wear a thin disguise
The Moon rides on your shoulder
But the Sun shines from your eyes
I cannot look upon you
I cannot look away
But I hear the sound
Of a hunter's horn
That greets the dawning day
Fa la la, la la, la la la la
La la, la la la la

 The lady said I hear your words
But how can I explain
How a simple touch can bring me joy
In spite of all the pain
Be it love or be it madness
I have no will to fight
This inner fire that bids me go
And ride with you this night
The Hunter smiled and said to her
Your pain I understand
For I have chased the sailing Moon
And loved the barren land
I cannot give my heart to you
But I'll give you what I may

So take my hand and ride with me
Until the break of day

The Hunter and the Hunted
You wear a thin disguise
The Moon rides on your shoulder
But the Sun shines from your eyes
I cannot look upon you
I cannot look away
But I hear the sound
Of a hunter's horn
That greets the dawning day
Fa la la, la la, la la la la
La la, la la la la

Now many years have been and gone
Since she rode the misty plain
She never chose to leave the moor
And she never spoke again
But it's said by some
When the night is done
And the moon is shroud in gray
You can hear her laugh
With the Hunter's horn
At the dawning of the day

The Hunter and the Hunted
You wear a thin disguise
The Moon rides on your shoulder
But the Sun shines from your eyes
I cannot look upon you
I cannot look away
But I hear the sound
Of a hunter's horn
That greets the dawning day
Fa la la, la la, la la la la
La la, la la la la

A HARVEST SONG
By: Elyse Tera
Autumn time, the wheel has turned and the animals ready for sleeping.
Autumn time, the wheel has turned and the leaves are brightly dying.