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Winter Carols WE WISH YOU A MERRY SOLSTICE Words by Susan M. Shaw

We wish you a merry Solstice We wish you a merry Solstice We wish you a merry Solstice And a happy !

CHORUS: Good tidings we bring To you and your kin We wish you a merry Solstice! And a happy New Year!

Our feasting is not so simple Our feasting is not so simple Our feasting is not so simple On this holly day!

CHORUS

We've eggnog and punch and wassail We've eggnog and punch and wassail We've eggnog and punch and wassail And hot chocolate too.

CHORUS

We've breads, cakes and Solstice cookies We've breads, cakes and Solstice cookies We've breads, cakes and Solstice cookies Plus crackers and buns.

CHORUS OUR LADY GREENSLEEVES

Midwinter moon is shining bright The Yuletide log is burning. SILENT , SOLSTICE NIGHT The people gather 'round tonight Greenwood Singers The Sabbat wheel is turning. Joy! Mirth! the 's rebirth! Silent night, Solstice Night, Now as of old we greet Thee. All is calm, all is bright Gladdening is the song we sing Nature slumbers in forest and glen Of praises to the Lady. Till in Springtime she wakens again Sleeping spirits grow strong 'Twas at the feast of bright Sleeping spirits grow strong. When we all were a-Maying, Sweet minstrel Queen in Her gown of Silent Night, Solstice Night Spring roundelay was playing. Silver moon shining bright And though now roped in snow Snowfall blankets the slumbering Her wintry garb deceives, for fires welcome the Sun's rebirth Bedipped with holly and mistletoe Hark, the light is reborn She is still our Lady Greensleeves. Hark, the light is reborn.

So drink ye wassail everyone Silent Night, Solstice Night Good Pagans all made merry Quiet rest till the light With wine as red as the reborn Sun, Turning ever the rolling wheel As red as holly-berry. Brings the to comfort and heal Dancing, come join the ring, Rest your spirit in peace As Her Yuletide spell she weaves. Rest your spirit in peace. Fair Queen, the evergreen, Sweet lovely Lady Greensleeves. TRIPLE SOLSTICE GODDESS by Lunea Weatherstone THE HOLLY AND THE IVY Tune: We Three Kings adapted by Susan M. Shaw

Goddesses of Solstice are we, The holly and the ivy when they are both full grown Bringers of the Star and the Tree Of all the trees that are in the wood the holly bears the crown Maiden, Mother, Crone uncover The rising of the sun and the running of the deer Winter's deep mystery The playing of the merry tunes as we Pagans sing with cheer

CHORUS: The holly bears a blossom, white as the lily flower Oh, time of wisdom, time of sight The Goddess shares the Solstice Sun; days grow longer with its Time of Winter's darkest night power Goddess hold me, love enfold me The rising of the sun and the running of the deer Open me to your light. We celebrate with joyous hearts the

Maiden of the darkness I sing The holly bears a berry as red as any blood Underworlds of wisdom I bring The Goddess brings the Solstice Sun to allow our hopes to bud Seeking, learning, Kore returning The rising of the sun and the running of the deer Bearing the light of Spring. These blessed signs of life's renewal will banish any fear

CHORUS The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn The Goddess lights the Solstice Sun as we welcome the new Demeter, the slumbering Earth morn Dreaming of her daughter's rebirth The rising of the sun and the running of the deer Candles lighted, world united The Green Man and the Holly King are always welcome here Knowing our own true worth. The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall CHORUS The Goddess gives the Solstice Sun for the wonder of us all The rising of the sun and the running of the deer Crone of deepest wisdom I dwell In perfect love and perfect trust, may our hearts be ever clear Deep in time's mysterious well Dreaming, daring, teaching, sharing The holly and the ivy when they are both full grown Hecate's secret spell. Of all the trees that are in the wood the holly bears the crown The rising of the sun and the running of the deer CHORUS The playing of the merry tunes as we Pagans sing with cheer GOOD KING WENCESLAS Words from Wiccan Yule Songs of Balefire Coven

Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Yule When the snow lay round about deep in Winter's rule GOD REST YE MERRY PAGAN FOLK Brightly shone the Moon that night though the frost was cruel Greenwood Singers When a poor roe came in sight seeking winter fuel Gods rest ye merry Pagan folk "Hither, page, and stand by me. If thou know'st it telling. Let nothing you dismay Yonder stag, O whose is he? Where and how his dwelling?" Remember that the Sun returns "Sire he lives a good league hence underneath the mountain Upon this Solstice day! Right against the forest fence by good Brigit's fountain." The growing dark is ended now And Spring is on its way "Bring me apples, bring me corn, bring my warm clothes hither O, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy! He shall dine 'fore Solstice morn when we bring them thither." O, tidings of comfort and joy! Page and monarch, forth they went; forth they went together Through the rude wind's wild lament and the bitter weather The Winter's worst still lies ahead Fierce tempest, snow and rain! "Page, the night is darker now and the wind blows stronger Beneath the blanket on the ground Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer." The spark of life remains! "Mark my footsteps, my good King, tread thou in them boldly The Sun's warm rays caress the seeds Thou shalt find fierce Winter's sting freeze thy blood less To raise Life's songs again! coldly." O, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy! O, tidings of comfort and joy! In the Oak King's steps he trod where the snow lay dinted Heat was in the very sod which the God had printed. Within the blessed apple lies Therefore, Pagan folk, be sure, any rank possessing The promise of the Queen Ye who now will bless the Earth shall, yourselves, find blessing. For from this pentacle shall rise The orchards fresh and green The Earth shall blossom once again The air be sweet and clean! O, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy! O, tidings of comfort and joy! JOY TO THE WORLD OH, COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL! Greenwood Singers Greenwood Singers

Joy to the world, the Light has come Oh, come, all ye faithful Let Earth receive her Lord Gather round the Yule fire Let every heart, prepare him room Oh, come ye, oh, come ye, And Heaven and Nature sing To call the Sun! And Heaven and Nature sing Fires within us And Heaven, and Heaven and Nature sing! Call the Fire above us O, come, let us invoke Him! Welcome our Lord, who brings us Light O, come, let us invoke Him! Our Lady gives him birth! O, come, let us invoke Him! His living Light, to warm our hearts, Our Lord, the Sun! And wake the sleeping Earth (x3) Yea, Lord, we greet Thee! Light we the fires to greet our Lord Born again at Yuletide! Our Light, our Life, our Lord! Yule fires and candle flames Let every voice, sing holy praise Are lighted for you! And Heaven and Nature sing (x3) Come to thy children Calling for thy blessing! O, come, let us invoke Him! O, come, let us invoke Him! YE CHILDREN ALL OF MOTHER EARTH Greenwood Singers O, come, let us invoke Him! Tune: It Came Upon a Clear Our Lord, the Sun!

Ye children all of Mother Earth Join hands and circle around. To celebrate the Solstice night When our lost Lord is found. Rejoice, the year has begun again The Sun blesses skies up above So share the together now In everlasting Love! GLORY TO THE NEW BORN KING Greenwood Singers GLORIA Brothers, sisters, come and sing Greenwood Singers Glory to the new-born King! Gardens peaceful, forests wild Snow lies deep upon the Earth Celebrate the Winter Child! Still our voices warmly sing Now the time of glowing starts! Heralding the glorious birth Joyful hands and joyful hearts! Of the Child, the Winter King Cheer the as it burns! Glo---ria! In excelsis Deo! For once again the Sun returns! Glo---ria! In excelsis Deo! Brothers, sisters, come and sing! Glory to the new-born King! Our triumphant voices claim Joy and hope and love renewed Brothers, sisters, singing come And our Lady's glad refrain Glory to the new-born Sun Answer Winter's solitude. Through the wind and dark of night Glo---ria! In excelsis Deo! Celebrate the coming light. Glo---ria! In excelsis Deo! glad rays through fear's cold burns Life through death the Wheel now turns In her arms a holy Child Gather round Yule log and tree Promises a glowing Light Celebrate Life's mystery Through the winter wind so wild Brothers, sisters, singing come He proclaims the glowing Light. Glory to the new-born Sun! Glo---ria! In excelsis Deo! Glo---ria! In excelsis Deo!

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! In excelsis Deo! THIRTEEN DAYS OF SOLSTICE Lyrics by Shekhinah Mountainwater MOTHER BERTA'S COMING TO TOWN Greenwood Singers On the first day of Solstice the Goddess sent to me... 1. Some healing to set my soul free. You better watch out when winter comes nigh 2. Gifts from my love You better not doubt, I'm telling you why, 3. A helping dream Mother Berta's coming to town. 4. A branch of evergreen 5. A joyous song! She carries a sack made out of a skin. 6. Greetings from my neighbors She dumps the toys out and stuffs the kids in. 7. Magick for the year Mother Berta's coming to town. 8. Fine conversation 9. Nine pearls of wisdom She rides on Master Skeggi 10. Candles for the lighting A goat whose back is strong 11. Deep contemplation His beard is grey and scraggly 12. Showers of abundance And his tail is ten feet long! 13. A grand celebration.

With six or eight horns, a mustache or two, Make a mistake, she's coming for YOU! LADY MOON SHINES SOFTLY Mother Berta's coming to town. Tune: O Little Town of Bethlehem Lady Moon shines softly down She knows with whom you're sleeping To light the Earth below She knows with whom you wake As we, her children, gather here She knows each thought you're thinking So don't THINK, for Goddess' sake! Around the Yule fire's glow We wait for morning's dawning First light of holy birth So when the winds howl way up in the sky Our Lady turns the wheel of life Listen as she and Skeggi pass by Her Son returns to Earth Mother Berta's coming, Mother Berta's coming, With joy we'll greet his dawning A new year has begun Mother Berta's coming to town! With increased light is bright new hope Reborn in everyone. O YULETIDE TREE

O Yuletide tree, O Yuletide tree How lovely are thy branches O Yuletide tree, O Yuletide tree How lovely are thy branches SHARE THE LIGHT The thought of you as Yule draws near Tune: The First Noel Brings joyful tidings of great cheer O Yuletide tree, O Yuletide tree On this Winter holiday, let us stop and recall To us you are so lovely. That this season is holy to one and to all. Unto some a Son is born, unto us comes a Sun, O Yuletide tree, O Yuletide tree And we know, if they don't, that all paths are one. Evergreen and fragrant O Yuletide tree, O Yuletide tree CHORUS: Evergreen and fragrant Share the light, share the light! We bring you in our home to be Share the light, share the Light! A sign of life's eternity. All paths are one on this holy night. O Yuletide tree, O Yuletide tree Forever green and lovely. Be it Hanukah or Yule, time or Solstice night, All celebrate the eternal light. O Yuletide tree, O Yuletide tree Lighted tree or burning log, or eight candle flames, We thank you for your blessings All gods are one god, whatever their names. O Yuletide tree, O Yuletide tree We thank you for your blessings CHORUS With golden stars and twinkling light You cheer us on this holy night O Yuletide tree, O Yuletide tree Thou art most fair and lovely. DANCING IN A WICCAN WONDERLAND "Alexander and Aarcher"

Pagans sing, are you listenin' Altar's set, candles glisten, It's a magickal night we're having tonight, DECK THE HALLS Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland. Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Blades held high, censer smoking, Fa la la la la, la la la la God and Goddess we're invoking, 'Tis the season to be jolly Through Elements five, we celebrate life, Fa la la la la, la la la la Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland. Don we now our gay apparel Fa la la, la la la, la la la CHORUS: Troll the ancient Yuletide carol In a circle we can light a Yule fire, Fa la la la la, la la la la And await the rising of the Sun, It's the great Wheel turning for the new year, See the blazing Yule before us, Loaded with abundance and great fun. Fa la la la la, la la la la Strike the harp and join the chorus Queen of Heaven is in Her place, Fa la la la la, la la la la Triple Goddess, now the Crone face, Follow me in merry measure Above and Below, She's the Goddess we know, Fa la la, la la la, la la la Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland. While I sing of Yuletide treasure Fa la la la la, la la la la Now the God is the provider, Supplying game for our fire, Fast away the old year passes Above and Below, He's the Horned one we know Fa la la la la, la la la la Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland. Hail the new, ye lads and lasses Fa la la la la, la la la la CHORUS Sing we joyous all together Fa la la, la la la, la la la Later on, by the fire Heedless of the wind and weather Cone of Power gettin' higher Fa la la la la, la la la la. It's a magickal night we're having tonight Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland.