With the wonderful fluid medium of the Internet, we have access to old Yule chants and re-written Yule carols.
The Yule Chants are from the Carmina Gadelica. The original Carmina Gadelica was a collection of Celtic folk prayers, charms, rituals, and omens. They were collected in the late 1800's in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland by folklorist Alexander Carmichael and published in a six-volume set. Carmichael himself admits that many of these are Pagan in origin with only a thin Christian overlay. Mike Nichol, author of a wonderful pagan website, has tried to restore them to something akin to their original charm, mystery and beauty. He has two pages dedicated to the Carmina Gadelica, one about the seasons and one of invocations.
Hail the sun! Hail the sun! Blessed is he! Blessed is he! Hail the sun! Hail the sun! Blessed is he! Blessed is he! Prosperity be upon this dwelling, On all that we have heard and seen, On the bare bright floor flags, On the shapely standing stone staves, Hail the sun! Hail the sun! Blessed is he! Blessed is he! Bless this house and all that it contains, From rafter to stone to beam; Shielded by the Goddess from pall to cover, Be the healing of all herein, Hail the sun! Hail the sun! Blessed is he! Blessed is he! May we be in lasting possession of the house, May we be healthy about the hearth, Many be the ties and stakes in the homestead, Fair Ones dwelling on this foundation, Hail the sun! Hail the sun! Blessed is he! Blessed is he! Offer to the Sun King from found to cover, Every stave and stone and beam; Offer again both rods and cloth, Be health to all who dwell herein, Every generation for aye! Hail the sun! Hail the sun! Blessed is he! Blessed is he!
Hail the sun! Hail the sun! Blessed is he! Blessed is he! Hail the sun! Hail the sun! Blessed is he! Blessed is he! All hail! Let there be joy! This night is the eve of the great Nativity, Reborn is the son of the Great Mother, The rays of his face will touch the earth, Again he will shine down from on high, Earth and sky will glow to him, All hail! Let there be joy! The peace of the earth to him, the joy of the sky to him, Behold him each day as his strength increases, The homage of a King be his, the welcome of an eagle be his, Sun-King victorious, eagle all glorious, Earth and ocean illumined by him, All hail! Let there be joy! The mountains will glow with him, the plains will glow with him, The voice of the waves with the song of the strand, Announcing to us the sun is reborn, Son of the Great Mother of the Land of Brightness, Given birth on the long night of darkness, All hail! Let ther be joy! Bright to him the earth and sphere together, His brightness reflected in the light of the Moon, Son of the Great Mother, hasten thou to our land, Thou Lord of Warmth, thou Lord of Light, Golden Sun of hill and mountain, All hail! Let there be joy!
Hey the Gift, ho the Gift, Hey the Gift on the living. The fair young Mother stood in the moonlight, It was the child Sun-King who was on her breast. The flight of the eagle, the cast of the spear, The spark is struck upon the stone. To tell us the sun is reborn, The Shining Child of the Land of Promise. I see the hills, I see the strand, I see the eagle mounting the sky. I see faery hosts a-ridling, Coming with speech and friendship to us.
Hey the Gift, ho the Gift, Hey the Gift, on the living. Sun of the dawn, Sun of the clouds, Sun of the planet, Sun of the star, Hey the Gift, etc. Sun of the rain, Sun of the dew, Sun of the welkin, Sun of the sky, Hey the Gift, etc. Sun of the flame, Sun of the light, Sun of the sphere, Sun of the globe, Hey the Gift, etc. Sun of the elements, Sun of the heavens, Sun of the moon, Sun of the stars, Hey the Gift, etc. Son of the Great Goddess of Nature, And the Sun of joyous tidings, Hey the Gift, etc.
I am the warmth, I am the light, I am the Child of this night. I am the Son of the Great Mother, Greeting you on hilltops facing east. Noble and fair is the Maiden Mother Goddess, Noble am I upon her young breast. Sun of the Moon, Sun of the Stars, I peep from the unhewn dolmen arch. A pentagram upon each forehead, I am in the door and in the window. I shine upon the hills, I shine upon the strand, I shine from deepest, blackest space. I peep through a roofbox to light an altar stone, Deep within the heart of an ancient tomb. I dance upon the heelstone, to announce my return. I shine along the holy roads of ancient power. I am the eagle, soaring free, Climbing into the vault of the noonday sky.
Behold the Maiden Goddess approaching, The Sun-King so young on her breast. O Gentle Goddess, and O Baby Sun! Bless ye this house and all herein. Bless ye the food, bless ye the board, Bless ye the corn, the flock and the store. What time to us the quarter was scarce, It is thou thyself, Goddess, who wast mother to us. Thou art fairer, Lady, than the waxing moon, Rising over the mountains. Thou art fairer, Lord, than the summer sun, Under his fullness of joy. Since the bard must not tarry, Place ye pine boughs about the Circle. Servant am I of the Great Mother, on the threshold, For the sake of the infant Sun, arise thyself and open to him.
The night of the dragon star Was born the Il-danach, Of the Maiden of the hundred charms, The Great Mother. The Three eternal by her side, Upon the hillside cold and steep. Come and be gifted by the God Of all Arts and Crafts. The foam-white breastling beloved, Welcome in every house in the world, The wise and skillful Child riding forth, All-talented. Ye three faces of the Goddess, Come ye, come ye forth, To the Gift-bearer of mortals Give ye salutation. Kiss ye his lips, Encircle ye his body With the hair of your heads; And O! thou Culture-giving God, And ye, Maiden, Mother, Crone, Be with us always.
*carolers circle the house deosil, the leader wearing a horned mask* I am now come to your country, To renew to you the Hogmanay, I need not tell you of it, It was in the time of our Mothers. I ascend by the door lintel, I descend by the doorstep, I will sing my song becomingly, Mannerly, slowly, mindfully. The Hogmanay skin is in my pocket, Great will be the smoke from it presently. No one who shall inhale its odour, But shall be for ever from it healthy. The Priest will get it in his hand, He will place its nose in the fire; He will go deosil round the Coven, And for seven verities round the Maiden. The Priestess will get it, she who deserves it, The hand to distribute the Hogmanay, The hand to bestow the cheese and butter, Much I wish it with the bread. Give it to us if it be possible, If you may not, do not detain us; I am the servant of Love at the door, Arise thyself and open to me. *if the carolers be inhospitably treated, they leave the house and circle it widdershins, and raise a cairn at or near the door, intoning the following* Malevolence of the Mother be upon you, Malevolence of the Hogmanay be upon you, The scaith of the hawk, the raven, the bear, And the scaith of the sneaking fox. The scaith of the dog and the cat be upon you, Of the boar, of the badger, of the wolf, Of the bull, of the lion, of the eagle, And the scaith of the spirit be upon you.
Goddess, bless to me the new day, Never vouchsafed to me before; It is to celebrate thy blessings Thou hast given me this time, Lady. Bless thou to me mine eye, May mine eye bless all it sees; I will bless my neighbor, May my neighbor bless me. Goddess, grant me a light heart, Keep me in the sight of thine eye; Bless to me my work and my play, Upon this return of the Ram's day.
Music is an important part of Yule, and Christmas carols are yet another idea taken from paganism. Many common Christmas carols contain pagan images that are not so subtle. *Carols* are from an Old French word meaning *joyous songs*, and were also the name of round dances celebrating the rebirth of the Frankish pagan gods.
The English Christmas carol, *Deck the Halls* contains not one Christian religious image. In this carol, we sing of decorating with holly, singing Yuletide carols, dancing (*merry measure*) and telling of pagan myths (*Yuletide treasure*). Look into other Christmas songs for hints on how to adapt them to your Yule rituals. You¼ll find you need to make very little changes. Often it will be just a very subtle shift: pagans celebrate the REBIRTH of the SUN; Christians celebrate the BIRTH of the SON.
Below are some of my favorite re-writes of Christmas Carols into Yule carols.....
[Tune: Hark the Herald Angels Sing] Brothers, Sisters, come and sing Glory to the reborn King Gardens peaceful, forests wild Celebrate the Holy Child Now the time of growing starts Joyful hands and joyful hearts Cheer the Yule log as it burns For once again the Sun returns Brothers, Sisters, come and sing Glory to the reborn King Dance the circle round and round Let the songs of joy resound Build the temple, glowing bright where we meet and grow in light Share your love with those around you Long may Yuletide peace surround you Hail the flame that has no end Pass a kiss from friend to friend Dance the circle, Spirits soar Dance in light forevermore Light the candle, trim the tree Start the feast and revelry Light the Yule log, watch it blaze Greet the Gods with love and praise Bless the wine with blade and chalice Drink that peace may conquer malice Toast the Lady, toast the Lord Toast to light and life restored Dance the circle, warm your heart Merry meet and merry part!
Words by Ellen Reed [Tune: Hark the Herald Angels Sing] Brothers, sisters, come to sing Glory to the new-born King! Gardens peaceful, forests wild Celebrate the Winter Child! Now the time of glowing starts! Joyful hands and joyful hearts! Cheer the Yule log as it burns! For once again the Sun returns! Brothers, sisters, come and sing! Glory to the new-born King! Brothers, sisters, singing come Glory to the newborn Sun Through the wind and dark of night Celebrate the coming light. Suns glad rays through fear's cold burns Life through death the Wheel now turns Gather round the Yule log and tree Celebrate Life's mystery Brothers, sisters, singing come Glory to the new-born Sun.
Words by Dianne T. DeShea Oh holy night! The stars shine in their brightness. It is the night of the dear Sun Child's birth. Long lay the world in growing cold and darkness 'Til He appeared, casting light o'er the earth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. All nature sings! Oh raise your joyous voices! Oh night divine! This night the Sun is born! Oh night divine! Oh night, oh night divine!
[Tune: Greensleeves] Midwinter moon is shining bright The yuletide log is burning. The people gather 'round tonight The Sabbat wheel is turning. Joy! Mirth! The Sun's rebirth! Now as of old we greet Thee. Gladdening is the song we sing Of praises to the Lady. 'Twas at the feast of bright Beltane When we all were a-Maying, Sweet minstrel Queen in Her gown of green Spring roundelay was playing. And though now roped in snow Her wintry garb deceives, for Bedipped with holly and mistletoe She is still Our Lady Greensleeves. So drink ye wassail everyone Good Pagans all made merry With wine as red as the reborn Sun, As red as holly-berry. Dancing, come join the ring, As Her Yuletide spell she weaves. Fair Queen, the evergreen, Sweet lovely Lady Greensleeves.
Words by Lunaea Wetherstone
[Tune: What Child is This? ]
What child is this who brings such light
that all who see Her grow hopefull?
The Solstice candles, this darkest night,
rekindle a flame in our soul.
This, this is the Solstice child,
the Maiden brilliant, the Maiden wild.
Come, sisters, to hold Her near,
the hope and the light of the New Year.
[Variant]
What Child is this, who brings such light
That all who see Him grow hopeful
The Solstice candles, this darkest night
Rekindle a flame in our soul
This, this is the Solstice Child
The Sun God brilliant, the Sun God wild
Come, Pagans, to hold Him near
The hope and the light of the New Year
Words by Anie Burke-Webb [Tune: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen] Gods bless ye merry, Paganfolk Let nothing you afright There's naught but peace will touch us here On this the longest night For our Great Mother will give birth And turn the dark to light Chorus: And the Wheel's turning round and round Round and round. And the Wheel's turning round and round. Into the west's fast dimming light The Dark God must retreat As all of life must come at last To death the longest sleep But our Great Mother then gives birth The circle is complete At morning's first bright ray of light Arrives the Sun Child's birth Returning through the Mother's womb Life promised to the Earth Now that our Mother's labor's done Rejoice with song and mirth
[Tune: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen] God rest ye merry, paganfolk, Let nothing you dismay. Remember that the Sun returns Upon this Solstice day. The growing dark is ending now And Spring is on its way. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy! Oh, 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 years to come A very special charm. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy! Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let Earth receive her king! Let every heart prepare him room And Heaven and Nature sing And Heaven and Nature sing And Heaven and Heaven and Nature sing Welcome our King who brings us life Our Lady gives him birth! His Living Life, to warm our hearts And wake the sleeping earth And wake the sleeping earth And wake and wake the sleeping earth Light we the fires to greet our Lord, Our Light! Our Life! Our King! Let every voice sing holy praise As Heaven and Nature sing As Heaven and Nature sing As Heaven as Heaven and Nature sing 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 death has reined 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
[Tune: We Three Kings] Maiden, Mother, Ancient Crone, Queen of Heaven on your throne, Praise we sing Thee, Love we bring Thee, For all that you have shown. Chorus: Oh, Moon of Silver, Sun of Gold, Gentle Lady, Lord so bold! Guide us ever, failing never, Lead us in ways of old. Lord of Darkness, Lord of Light, Gentle Brother, King of Might, Praise we sing thee, Love we bring Thee On this Solstice night.
Words by Lunaea Weatherstone [Tune: We Three Kings] Goddesses of the Solstice are we Bringers of the Star and the Tree Maiden, Mother, Crone uncover Winter's deep mystery Chorus: Oh, time of wisdom, time of light Time of Winter's darkest night Goddess hold me, Love enfold me Open me to Your light Maiden of the darkness, I sing Underworlds of wisdom, I bring Seeking, learning, Kore returning Bearing the light of Spring CHORUS Demeter, the slumbering Earth Dreaming of the Daughter's rebirth Candles lighted, world united Knowing our own true worth CHORUS Crone of deepest wisdom, I dwell Deep in Time's mysterious well Dreaming, daring, teaching, sharing Hecate's secret spell
Oh Come All ye faithful
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 him!
Oh come let us invoke him!
Oh come let us invoke him!
Our Lord, the Sun!
Yea Lord, we greet thee
Born again at Yuletide!
Yule fires and candle flames
Are lighted for you!
Come to thy children
Calling for thy blessing!
Oh come let us invoke him!
Oh come let us invoke him!
Oh come let us invoke him!
Our Lord, the Sun
Snow lies deep upon the earth
Still our voices warmly sing
Heralding the glorious birth
Of the Child, the Winter King
Glo -- ria
In excelsis Deo
Glo -- ria
Our triumphant voices claim
Joy and Hope and love renewed
And our Lady's glad refrain
Answer Winter's solitude
Glo -- ria
In excelsis Deo
Glo -- ria
In her arms a holy child
Promises a glowing light
Through the winter wind so wild
He proclaims the growing light
Glo -- ria
In excelsis Deo
Glo -- ria
Now the turning of the year
Of the greater Turning sings
Passing age of cold and fear
Soon our golden summer brings
Glo -- ria
In excelsis Deo
Glo -- ria
Silent night, Solstice night All is calm all is bright Nature slumbers in forest and glen Till in springtime she wakens again Sleeping spirits grow strong Sleeping spirits grow strong Silent Night, Solstice night Snowfall blankets the slumbering Earth Yule fires welcome the sun's rebirth Hark, the Light is reborn Hark, the Light is reborn Silent Night, Solstice Night Quiet rest till the light Turning ever the rolling Wheel Brings the winter to comfort and heal Rest your heart in peace Rest your heart in peace.
[Tune: O Little Town of Bethlehem] Lady moon shines softly down To light the Earth below As we, her children, gather here Around the Yule fire's glow We wait for morning's dawning First light of holy birth Our Lady turns the wheel of life Her Son returns to Earth With joy we'll greet his dawning A new year has begun With increased light is bright new hope Reborn in Everyone.
Document Copyright (c) 1997 Jamie Brydone-Jack
This and all related documents can be re-published only as long as no information is changed, credit is given to the author, and is provided or used without cost to others.