Winter Solstice 'Carols'

by Gillian Monks

GODS REST YE MERRY, DRUID FOLK

(To the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”)

Gods rest ye merry, druid folk,
Let nothing you dismay,
Midwinter’s here to celebrate
Upon this Solstice day;
When Light will be reborn again
And Sun will have its’ sway,
Good tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
Good tidings of comfort and joy.

We gather here at sunrise,
Rejoice the birth of Light,
And here the Oak and Holly Kings
Once more will stand and fight!
But it is Oak to triumph now
He brings us back our Light!
Good tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
Good tidings of comfort and joy.

Rejoice that we stand here
Upon this beauteous ground,
To witness once again rebirth
And Light and Hope re-found.
May friendship, peace and harmony
From this day hence abound!
Good tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
Good tidings of comfort and joy.

 

WE THREE GIFTS

(To the tune of "We three Kings”)

We three gifts the Elements bring,
Earth and Air and Water all spring,
Sucour ever, ceasing never,
Praises to Awen sing.

Chorus:
Oh, Star of wonder, Star so bright!
Star who brings forth day from night!
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Bless us with thy warmth and light!

Earth am I, who nourishes all,
Tiny seeds and oaks standing tall,
Food and flowers, leafy bowers,
Come and I grow you all.

Water clear, I ripple and gleam,
Oceans, rivers, bubbling streams,
Soft rain falling, is my calling
Quenching your thirsts extreme.

Here am I, the element Air,
Loud and angry, fresh or fair,
So you breathe, Life I bequeath,
Pure and free and fair.

THE HOLLY AND THE IVY

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly wears the crown.

Chorus:
Oh, the rising of the Sun,
And the running of the deer,
Hern is off a-hunting in the woods,
While we sing aloud good cheer.

Oh the holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower,
And Mother Earth breathed life in us,
So we could rejoice this hour.

Oh, the holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mother Earth looked all around,
Smiling to see such good.

Oh, the holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mother Earth gave life to all,
To celebrate this morn.

Oh, the holly bears a bark,
As bitter as any gall,
And Mother Earth is quickening now,
So rejoice us all.

Oh, the holly and the ivy,
Now they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly wears the crown.