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MODERN NEO-PAGANISM & THE OCCULT
A Guide to Alternative Religions
And Their Opponents (Vers. 2.0)
Chapter 10
Pagan Songs and Music
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_.
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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 Hunter 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!
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 the 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 Kingdoms 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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, strung 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)
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!
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More neo-Pagan songs can be found in the file(s) GRENBUK*.ZIP, which
are circulating on Pagan BBSes.
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PAGAN MUSIC SOURCES
Courtesy of Church of All Worlds
Basic Bibliography
Church of All Worlds
P.O. Box 1542
Ukiah, CA 95482
PAGAN MUSIC LISTING (alphabetical by sources)
Aeolus
411 Lincoln Blvd. #211
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Ruth Barrett & Cynthia Smith - AEOLUS, DEEPENING, SONGS OF THE ROLLING WORLD.
Ar nDraiocht Fein
Box 1022-R
Nyack NY 10960
Isaac Bonewits - BE A PAGAN ONCE AGAIN!
Circle
P.O. Box 219
Mt Horeb WI 52572
John Alan & Selena Fox - CIRCLE MAGIC MUSIC, DRAGON TRACK, TALES OF THE SONGSMITH, SONGS OF PAGAN FOLK, DIFFERENT ROADS
Victoria Ganger - Neander, LADY OF THE FLAME
Kay Gardner - MOODS & RITUALS, A RAINBOW PATH
Lady Isadora & Pan - THE WITCHING HOUR
Len Kendrick & others - LAUGHTER AND LOVE
Darragh Nagle, et al - STARCRYSTAL
Angie Remedi - THE MOTHER CALLS
Holly Tannen - INVOCATION
Meg Davis - MY HERETIC HEART
Laurie Galian c/o Gawain
POB 297
Jericho NY 11753
THE SHAMMANS ASCENT
The Greenwood Singers
POB 3008
Seattle, WA 98103
SONGS & CHANTS - YULE
Nemeton
2140 Shattuck #2093
Berkely CA 94704
Rick & Dehorah Hamouris - WELCOME TO ANNWFN
Gwydion Pendderwen - SONGS OF THE OLD RELIGON, THE FAERIE SHAMAN
Leigh Ann Hussey
2240 Blake St. #308
Berkeley CA 94704
PANTHEON
Kenny & Tziporia Klein
POB 746
New York, NY 10009
MOON HOOVES IN THE SAND, DREAMERS WEB, SONGS OF THE OTHERWORLD, FAIRY QUEEN, WINESKINS, TINKERS & TEARS.
Out Front Music
Box 12188
Seattle WA 98102
Charlie Murphy - CATCH THE FIRE, CANTICLE
Off-Centaur Publications
POB 424
El Cerrito CA 94530
Julie Ecklar - HORSE TAMERS DAUGHTER
Leslie Fish - COLD IRON, TIME WINDS TAVERN, CHICKASAW MOUNTAIN, SKYBOUND, THE UNDERTAKERS HORSE.
Cynthia Mcquillon SINGERS IN THE SHADOWS, SHADOW SPIN.