Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?

Subject: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 23 Feb 09 - 06:01 AM

I'd rather like to have some songs in store for the various seasonal festivals. The next one being for me, the Spring Equinox. Which will be here in around a month.

I'm not specifically interested in *Easter* songs as such, but more songs that may have *traditional and symbolic associations* to the season, and to key *imagery* of the festival, both Christian and pre-Christian/Pagan.

Cheers, Rosie

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN THE SPRING COMES IN (copper Family)
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 23 Feb 09 - 10:20 AM

One by The Copper Family: When Spring Comes In

When spring comes in and the birds will sing
The lambs will play and the bells will ring
And we shall enjoy the glorious charm
So lovely and so gay
Primroses grow and cowslips too
And violets in their sweet attire
And daffodils show through every briar
When daisies fade away

Young men and maidens will be seen
On mountains high and on meadows green
And homeward they will bend their way
When the evening star does appear
And the dairymaid a-milking goes
Her blooming cheeks as red as the rose
For she can milk and she can sing
She can make the valleys ring
And the small birds in the branches near
Come listening to this lovely dear
She is her master's trust and care
And all a ploughman's joy

When spring comes in and the birds will sing
The lambs will play and the bells will ring
And we shall enjoy the glorious charm
So lovely and so gay

Subject: Lyr Add: OVERTON PACE-EGGING SONG
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 23 Feb 09 - 10:40 AM

There's any amount of Pace-Egging songs of which I'm sure you're aware. Pace-Egging? Pagan? Do a search on Google and the Pagan Community certainly assume so in their gleeful appropriation of anything folkloric in the hope of menacing overtones of rampant fertility rites, ribald rudery, and rummy shenanigans in the newly-green wood...

A few old threads on this too, such as:

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=71653&messages=14

Rachel & I are working up a version of the following right now, as sung by Frank Williamson in Durham; a song that's almost local to us since we relocated to Fleetwood:

The Overton Pace-Egging Son (aka Beg Your Leave)

I beg your leave, kind gentlemen and ladies of renown,
If you'll please to make us room we will sing to you a song,
You please to make us room, we will sing to you a song,
And we'll call in our comrades and call them one by one.

Chorus:
    Oh we're jolly boys, we do no harm
    Wherever we do go
    For we've come a pace-egging
    As you very well do know

So the first that does come in, he is a blooming youth,
He courts all the pretty girls, and always tells them truth;
He say's he'll never deceive them, he's always kind and true,
And 'tis his delight both day and night in drinking of strong brew.

So the next that does come in, he is a sailor brave,
He says he's ploughed the ocean, and split the briny wave,
He says he has got gold, and he says he has got store,
And he says he'll marry a pretty girl and go to sea no more.

So the next that does come in, oh he is a roving blade,
Amongst the lasses he will be, for he is such a jade,
Red rosy cheeks are his delight, most beautiful and fair,
And if you want a sweetheart, you must come to Overton fair!

So the next that does come in, oh she is Miss Kitty Fair,
She takes a great delight in the curling of her hair,
She carries a basket by her side - she's got no store put in -
It's her delight delight both day and night in drinking of strong gin.

So now you've seen us all, speak of us as you find,
You'll please to give up a trifle - it will be very kind.
So cheer up your spirits while we drink a glass of beer,
And we'll drink you health and store your wealth until the very next year.

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 23 Feb 09 - 01:00 PM

You might start with "Candlemas Eve" -- it starts with Brigid but goes right on through Whitsun. The tune and words are also in the Oxford Book of Carols, as I recall.

Also, elsewhere on the forum I posted the words to my friend Jon Berger's John Barleycorn/Easter Carol. If you like that one, you can download the song (and the rest of our one album, for that matter) for free from Jon's Web site. Side 1 (this side has Jon's "Spring carol" on it, which you might like, but it is May-ish rather than Easter-like, plus it's pretty Christian in tone) is on this page, and side 2, with the John Barleycorn on it, is on this one.

Of course, there's always "Jack in the Green."

And there's another (totally secular) one I love, by Dillon Bustin, that's posted on Mudcat: "Gardening"

Cheers,
Claire

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 23 Feb 09 - 02:50 PM

I wonder if this is any good?

Make Merry in Step and Song

It is published by Llewllyn...

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 23 Feb 09 - 03:07 PM

Sleepy Rosie,

If you look at that product on the U.S. site (see the product page here), you will find that it has a "look inside" option.

There, you can look at the contents page (brief in the extreme) and the first couple of pages of text, which seems to be instructions for the Kirkby Malzeard longsword dance (the only sword dance I ever learned, by peculiar coincidence).

Then, start clicking "surprise me" and you can see random other pages. I'm not sure how much of an utter gem the book is, but I would certainly consider ordering it.

Cheers,
Claire

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 23 Feb 09 - 03:23 PM

Aye, I may just get it as a handy reference for the collection of seasonally appropriate traditional songs and Mummers plays alone. For with or without the pagan theorising, it covers my opening posts brief rather well.

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 05:35 AM

We do a couple from the Carmina Burana - namely Tempus Est Iocundum and Veris Dulcis in Tempore - which celebrate spring in terms of an Arcadian Eroticism that is quite purposefully pagan, albeit in a classical sense, and from the scholarly perspective of the Medieval Benedictines who put the codex together, and in all probability wrote the verses too. Heady stuff though; rich in poetic images & translation potential. These have nothing to do with Carl Orff by the way, rather an attempt to take them back to the original mediaeval melodies albeit in a very non-scholarly fashion, though probably not your standard Ren Fair thing either...

Anyway, here they are as free secure MP3 downloads via YouSendIt:

Veris Dulcis in Tempore (Rachel & I performing live in Sheffield, October 2002; I'm playing a medieval crwth - a bowed lyre-cum-fiddle)

Tempus Est Iocundum (Solo demo from last summer which just about hangs together; the clever ones will spot the New Order references at the beginning - Turkish Saz / Morcoccan Bendir / Indian Shruti Box / Geordie Vocals)

Note: The translations here derive from the poetic sense of the lyrics rather than anything too literal. Whilst I don't speak Latin, I am familiar with various translations, so I knocked these together for the purposes of recitation, taking various liberties along the way, such as in Veris Ducis where I've translated the chorus differently each time...

The Middle Ages is a good place to look for such things. And not forgetting Sumer is Icumen In of course...

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 06:50 AM

So, not much old and strange except Pace Egging then?

L in C

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 08:12 AM

There's plenty that's genuinely old & strange, and I might venture the songs of Carmina Burana pre-date anything in respect of Pace-Egging, not only historically, but referencing as they do something even older in terms of the Secular Love Lyric and associated merry-making, most of which is pretty instinctive anyway. However, when I look at the product description for the book Rosie links to above I must admit to feeling more than a little nauseous. Here it is in full:

"See the blazing Yule before us". This is just one of the many ancient British folk songs we all know and love. Other tunes and symbols that tug on our memories have similar historical roots, hearkening back to a shared Pagan past. At one time interwoven into the spiritual fabric of everyday life, the dances, songs, and theatrical plays in the English folk tradition are now little known to most of the modern Pagan community. Reviving these vital traditions can bring new life to Renaissance festivals, neopagan rituals, and community events.Introducing the lively music and homegrown entertainment of times long past, this descriptive how-to is designed for twenty-first-century joviality. The songs, dances, and plays of old are explained in their mythical, seasonal, and historical significance and outlined for easy reenactment. Simple-to-follow instructions detail six dances including the popular Abbots Bromley Horn dance, six full scripts for dramatic performances of Mummer's Plays (folk plays of death and rebirth), and over thirty songs with lyrics and music. Kick up your heels, hold high your skirts, and make merry the year through.

So there they go again, the Pagan Community gleefully appropriating anything vaguely folkloric in the hope of menacing overtones of rampant fertility rites, ribald rudery, and rummy shenanigans in the newly-green wood. Mention of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance reminds me of the old Folklore: The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance thread, with its links to the real thing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=QPJW_FltI74

and various reimaginings thereof, such as:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKN0j4b9oU0.

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 08:43 AM

"However, when I look at the product description for the book Rosie links to above I must admit to feeling more than a little nauseous."

That's sent me off into a proper hacking laughing fit..!
I rather suspected the synopsis there might cause some 'concern' :-]

You better not read the pages shown on the American Amazon without a bucket handy then...

The songs worked from the Carmina Burana linked to above, are jolly lovely. I've tried memorising songs in Latin before.. I do find it something of a grind unfortunately, erk. But I guess there's no reason why I couldn't apply my dodgy poetic talents to reworking translations into something like a singable English bodge.

Now where is that Medieval Babes back catalogue when you need it..?

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 09:04 AM

Tho it's always fun to start new threads on timeless subjects like this one, don't forget to also check the old threads and existing resources so richly stored away here at the Cat.

~Susan

Subject: Lyr Add: LULLABY OF SPRING (Donovan)
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 09:38 AM

Sure :-)
I've had a check of both the Spring Equinox and Easter threads. I suppose I was hoping to head away from specifically Christian Easter themes in favour of more agricultural, seasonal and folkloric ones.

I did find this Donovan song recommended by ClairBear on another thread:

Lullaby of Spring
Donovan

Rain has showered far her drip
Splash and trickle running,
Plant has flowered in the sand
Shell and pebble sunning.

So begins another spring,
Green leaves and of berries,
Chiff-chaff eggs are painted by
Mother bird eating cherries.

In the misty tangled sky
Fast a wind is blowing,
In the new-born rabbit's heart
River life is flowing.

So begins another spring,
Green leaves and of berries,
Chiff-chaff eggs are painted by
Mother bird eating cherries.

>From the dark and wetted soil,
Petals are unfolding.
>From the stony village kirk,
Easter bells of old ring.

So begins another spring,
Green leaves and of berries,
Chiff-chaff eggs are painted by
Mother bird eating cherries.

Rain has showered far her drip
Splash and trickle running,
Plant has flowered in the sand
Shell and pebble sunning.

So begins another spring,
Green leaves and of berries,
Chiff-chaff eggs are painted by
Mother bird eating cherries.

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 06:11 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TeNLb_xtE4

Subject: Lyr Add: VERIS DULCIS IN TEMPORE (Carmina Burana)
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 09:01 AM

Just uploaded our new version of Veris Dulcis in Tempore (Carmina Burana #85) onto our Myspace Page - a cool medieval groove recorded earlier this month, entirely live, by way of rehearsal.

Rachel - singing & bendir (frame-drum)
Myself - saz (Turkish lute) & singing.

In weaving spring by blossomed trees
Juliana and her sister see
Waiting there so readily. Sweet Love!

To fail the call to weave with you fails dismally.

The trees burst forth with fragrant flower
The song birds birds wordless greet the hour;
These blossomed girls our hearts devour. Sweet love!

To fail the call to feast with you fails hungrily.

See the lily bright in flower
The praises girls sing to this hour
To greet divine this wondrous power. Sweet love!

To fail the call to praise with you fails woefully.

To clasp to sking my joy in love
To mouth with lips and tongue my love;
The verdand wood with ring - Sweet love!

Were I to fail to satisfy in vain the death I long to die.

(Whilst the above is mostly my translation, though other bits might have sneaked in from elsewhere; the refrains are mine certainly, as I decided to put a different spin on Qui te caret hoc tempore, fit vilior with each verse...)

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: clueless don
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 09:12 AM

The group Kiva, on their recording The Healing Art, do a song called "Spring is Returning", which I think fits what you are looking for.

Don

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 10:15 AM

I'd say Chorlton Big Green Festival would be an excellent event at which to see & hear songs and tunes mostly but not exclusively traditional, enjoy a great Ceilidh in the evening and all things green, spring-like and sustainable all day

Saturday 4 April

The Big Green

Cheers

L in C

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 04:52 PM

The Big Green looks great... Bit of a distance for me to go for a day though.
And that's such a lovely photo you've put up on Venereum Arvum MySpace. Aww!

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: GUEST,wakenna
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 04:58 AM

lisa thiel
todd alan

kallianna (return of the sun)
to name a few

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: breezy
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 07:13 AM

check out George Papavgeris's 'Welcome in another year'

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: keberoxu
Date: 16 Mar 24 - 06:59 PM

Jean Ritchie sang a song called Down Came an Angel;

when recorded on her Argo-label album, it was titled
Easter Carol.

Subject: RE: Songs For Spring Equinox/Easter?
From: GerryM
Date: 17 Mar 24 - 04:21 AM

Spring is here, a-suh-puh-ring is here.
Life is skittles and life is beer.
I think the loveliest time of the year
Is the Spring. I do, don't you?
'Course you do.
But there's one thing that makes Spring complete for me,
And makes every Sunday a treat for me:

Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, by Tom Lehrer. https://youtu.be/yhuMLpdnOjY?si=XFQ2dUTL1-JH1nH7