Blessed Be Again! -Joe Bethancourt (c) copyright 1992 W.J. Bethancourt III (Tune: "One Misty Moisty Morning" (Trad.) Upon a dark and windy hill, As I walked out one May morning, On Samhain's eldritch night T'was on the blooming heather I saw the Crone with withered hands I saw a Maiden dancing there, By balefire's burning light In fair and sunny weather Her eyes were full of wisdom, The Beltane fires were burning high, The threads of life she span The dancers round did spin And sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be! They sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be! And Blessed Be again!" And Blessed Be again!" As I walked out on Yuletide, Upon Midsummer's heady day, The winter winds blew cold I saw John Barleycorn I saw the Winter King a-standing, Walking proud and tall there Grey and grim and old In the sunny shining morn His cloak was pulled around him, His beard was long and golden, A Child was in his hand He looked at me and then And he sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be! He sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be! And Blessed Be again!" And Blessed Be again!" Upon the morn of Brigit's Day, Upon a singing Summer day, I saw a lovely sight At dawn on Lammastide The Goddess standing by me, I saw the Craftsman smiling, All crowned in starry light On sunbeams he did ride The crescent Moon beneath her feet, He brings us light and knowledge, The stars were in her hand To help our fellow men She sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be! He sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be! And Blessed Be again!" And Blessed Be again!" Upon the first of April, Upon a chilly autumn day, I saw the Holy Fool All sheltered from the storm He was a merry prankster, I saw the Harvest safe at home, The Lord of all Misrule! The families snug and warm He looked at me, and winked an eye, They sat and gave their thanks, And danced and sang and then And they laughed and smiled and then He sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be! They sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be! And Blessed Be again!" And Blessed Be again!" Ostara came with blossoms, The Spiral Dance goes on and on, Life flourished everywhere The King and Youth and Child I saw the Mother smiling, The Gentle Mother, Aged Crone, With flowers in Her hair And Maiden meek and mild She stood among the growing fields, And so the Yearly Circle In heather and in glen Turns in eternal spin And sang "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be! So sing "Blessed Be! And Blessed Be! And Blessed Be again!" And Blessed Be again!" And "Merry Meet! And Merry Part! And Merry Meet Again!" 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? Stand Up, Stand Up For Oden -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 OdinGod! 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! Nude -W.J.Bethancourt III -Ed 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 it Best 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! 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 The Bard's Song -W.J.Bethancourt III (c) copyright 1990 W.J.Bethancourt III (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! All Thru The Night -Traditional 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 nos Gol-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. Two Magicians (Child #44) recorded by Steeleye Span "Below the Salt" She looked out of the window, as white as any milk He looked in at the window, as black as any silk (Chorus): Hello, hello, hello, hello you coal black smith You have done me no harm! You never shall have my maidenhead That I have kept so long! I'd rather die a maid, aye, and then she said, And be buried all in my grave, Than to have such a nasty, husky, dusky, fusty, musty coal black smith! A maiden I will die! She became a duck, a duck all in the stream And he became a waterdog, and fetched her back again She became a star, a star all in the night And he became a thundercloud and muffled her out of sight She became a rose, a rose all in the wood And he became a bumblebee and kissed her where she stood She became a nun, a nun all dressed in white And he became a chantry priest to pray for her by night She became a trout, a trout all in the brook And he became a feathered fly, and catched her with his hook She became a quilt, a quilt all on her bed And he became a coverlet, and gained her maidenhead! note: This has MANY variants. See Robert Graves' "The White Goddess" pg. 401! 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! (nb: 4th line of each verse is sung twice) 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! 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! 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! They hired men with the sythes so sharp To cut him off at the knee They rolled him and tied him about the waist, 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! 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, 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! 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 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! 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! 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! (Note: sing the chorus after every other verse or so. Encourage the group to join the song) The False Knight Upon The Road (Child #3) -recorded by Steeleye Span "Oh where are you going to?" said the False Knight upon the road "Oh I'm going to my school." said the wee boy and still he stood "What is that upon your back?" said the False Knight upon the road "Ah weel, it is my books!" said the wee boy and still he stood Oh, what have you got there? I wish you was on the sands. I have got my bread and cheese! Yes, and a good staff in my hands! Oh won't you give me some? I wish you was on the sea. No, ne'r a bite or crumb! And a good ship under me! And the ship to sink. An inch away from shore! I think I hear a bell. And it rings you straight to Hell! Nottamun Town -Traditional In Nottamun Town, in Nottamun Town Not a soul would look up not a soul would look down Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down To show me the way to fair Nottamun Town I bought me a horse t'was called a grey mare Grey mane and grey tail and green stripe on her back Grey mane and grey tail and green stripe on her back Weren't a hair upon her that was not coal black She stood so still threw me to the dirt She tore at my hide, she bruised my shirt From saddle to stirrup I mounted again and on my ten toes I rode over the plain When I got there no one did I see they all stood around me just looking at me I called for a cup to drive gladness away And stifle the dust for it rained the whole day And the King and the Queen and the company more Came a riding behind and a walking before Come a stark naked drummer beating a drum With his hands in his bosom came marching along Sat down on a hard hot cold frozen stone Ten thousand stood round me but I was alone Took my heart in my hand to keep myself warm Ten thousand was drowned that never was born 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. '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! (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. 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. (Chorus) 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! (Chorus) She Moved Thru The Faire -Padraic Colum recorded by Theodore Bikel My young love said to me: My mother won't mind And my father won't slight you for your lack of kind She put her arms 'round me; these words she did say: It will not be long, love, 'til our wedding day! Then she stepped away from me, and she moved thru the Faire And so fondly I watched her move here and move there At last she turned homeward, with one star awake As the Swan in the evening moves over the lake. Last night she came to me, my dead love came in And so soft did she move that her feet made no din She put her arms 'round me; these words she did say: It will not be long, love, 'til our wedding day! 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 Song Of Wandering Aengus -Wm. Butler Yeats recorded 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 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 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! God Is Alive, Magic Is Afoot -Leonard Cohen (c) 1966 God is alive.....Magic is afoot...God is alive....magic is afoot... God is afoot.....Magic is alive...Alive is afoot..magic never died! God never sickened. Many poor men lied. Many sick men lied. Magic never weakened. Magic never hid. Magic always ruled. God is afoot. God never died! God was Ruler, though his funeral lengthened. Though His mourners thickened, magic never fled. Though His shrouds were hoisted the naked God did live; Though His words were twisted the naked magic thrived; Though His death was published round and round the world The heart did not believe. Many hurt men wondered. Many struck men bled. Magic never faltered. Magic always led. Many stones were rolled, but God would not lie down! Many wild men lied. Many fat men listened. Though they offered stones, magic still was fed! Though they locked their coffers, God was always served. Magic is afoot....God is alive.... Alive is afoot....Alive is in command. Many weak men hungered. Many strong men thrived. Though they boasted solitude, God was at their side. Nor the dreamer in his cell, nor the captain on the hill: Magic is alive! Though His death was pardoned 'round and 'round the world, The heart would not believe! Though laws were carved in marble they could not shelter men; Though altars built in Parliaments, they could not order men; Police arrested magic and magic went with them, ah! For magic loves the hungry.... But magic would not tarry, it moves from arm to arm, It would not stay with them; it cannot come to harm: Magic is afoot! It cannot come to harm. It rests in an empty palm. It spawns in an empty mind. But magic is no instrument: magic is the End! Many men drove magic, but magic stayed behind; Many strong men lied. They only passed thru magic and out the other side! Many weak men lied. They came to God in secret and though they left Him nourished, They would not tell Who healed; Though mountains danced before them, they said that God was dead! Though His shrouds were hoisted, the naked God did live! God is alive! Magic is afoot...God is alive... God is alive... Magic is afoot... This I mean to whisper to my mind: This I mean to laugh with in my mind: This I mean my mind to serve 'Til service is but magic, moving thru the world And mind itself is magic, coursing thru the flesh And flesh itself is magic, dancing on a clock, And Time itself, the magic length of God! God is alive...Magic is afoot...Magic is afoot...God is alive.. Magic is alive...God is afoot...Alive is afoot...God never died. Many strong men lied. They only passed thru magic and out the other side! This I mean to whisper to my mind: This I mean to laugh with in my mind: This I mean my mind to serve 'Til service is but magic, moving thru the world And mind itself is magic, coursing thru the flesh And flesh itself is magic, dancing on a clock, And Time itself, the magic length of God!