Winter Solstice

Subject: Winter Solstice
From: Puffenkinty
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 02:48 PM

I need some song suggestions for a Winter Solstice celebration. I know some Christian ones that incorporate older symbolism such as "The Holly and the Ivy", but I'm also looking for some other ideas.

Thanks for your help.

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Search for "solstice" threads

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: GUEST,jennifer thorp
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 04:16 PM

I've got a jolly CD here from John Kirkpatrick and friends, called Wassail. 17 tracks, nicely unchristmassy for the most part, it's from Fellside Records FECD125 or I'll list the tracks if you want but the titles are fairly non-descript and I think they might not give you many clues.
cheers, Jennifer

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 04:37 PM

Or the Carthy/Waterson 'Frost and Fire' which is fantastic. May even play it now, if the damned machine will let me....

LTS

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 08:21 PM

Welcome, Puff! If you go to the top of this page to the "Digitrad and Forum search" and type in "winter solstice" (without quotes) you will find many threads on this topic, with many wonderful songs.
My group has performed a number of winter solstice songs as well. My dear friend Alouette Iselin has written three that I do every year, and I'd be happy to share them with you if you PM me (to find out how to do that, go to the Mudcat FAQs at the top of the thread list!).

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 09:36 PM

There is a song entitled "Ring Out, Soltice Bells" written by Ian Anderson, and recorded by Jethro Tull on their "Songs from the Woods" LP. Not only is this a beautiful crafted song but the entire album is wonderful.

Bobert

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: Micca
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 06:17 AM

Puffenkinty, contact Animaterra and check out "Until the Dark time ends" by Alouette Iselin... It is IMHO one of the most evocative Winter Solstice songs EVER!!!!

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: Hecate
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 06:48 AM

Wasailing songs - probably in the lists.(Under wasail) Mummers - which might or might not have pagan roots, but is a good laugh! My folk club gets a grup of mummers in for yuletide festivities. Pete Coe has a great song about mumming, which is on "Long COmpany".

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 05:26 PM

Karen Hemmingham who is a pagan, has written a song which is good for all seasons, but especially the Winter Solstice:

SUMMER IS INVINCIBLE (Karen Hemmingham)

When Winter falls upon the land
And laces leaves in icy glow
When cold numbs every beast and man
And weaves its winding sheet of snow.

Ch/Then in the midst of Winter
When hope, like death, lies still
Listen to the heart within singing
Summer is invincible.
Summer is invincible.

When clouds like seas of foaming grey
Drown out the blue of Summer skies
When winds of steel forge through your days
And the light of Summer dies.
Chorus.

When blood red beads the hedgerow
And emerald spears of holly gleam
When poison pearls the mistletoe
And frost grips every dream.
Chorus.

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: Micca
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 07:21 PM

Kitty. I like that!! any chance of the tune sometime?

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 03:01 AM

Micca

Paul Hodgon recorded it with Karen and various members of Wycombe Folk Club, on his CD, Fire in the Heart, but it has some very weird harmonies on it. As far as I can remember the tune from Karen singing it, it's something like this (sorry, must learn proper notation - I've started on middle C going upwards to top c). It's in 4/4, beginning on the upbeat:

  SUMMER IS INVINCIBLE (Karen Hemmingham)    

When Winter falls upon the land
  C     F  G  Ab    Bb G	Eb  F
  And laces leaves in icy glow
  C    F G     Ab	 G Ab Bb G
	  When cold numbs every beast and man
  F    Bb	   c    db  c	Bb  Ab   G
  And weaves its winding sheet of snow. 
  C     F      G  Ab   Bb  G    F	  F
    

Ch/Then in the midst of Winter
       c   c  Bb  c    Bb	AbG F	
  When hope, like death, lies still
  C	F    G	Ab	Bb   G
  Listen to the heart within singing
  c    Bb Bb  Ab  c    Bb Ab  Ab  G
  Summer is   invincible. 
  c   Bb BbAb  G G  Ab Ab
  Summer is in-vincible. 
  c   BbBbAbGAb G  F F   

I'll sing it to you when next I see you!

Kitty

--- <pre> </pre> tags added, and that <b> changed to <br> ---
---Jeff (PA)---

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 03:05 AM

OK, so what happened to my careful spacing of notes under words. Not to mention the line break - I did type < br > at the end of every line, honestly. And how did I manage to embolden the last lines???

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 03:29 AM

Beautiful song, Kitty! Thanks!

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 02:22 PM

Thanks Jeff/PA for sorting out the line breaks. I'll try e-mailing Micca the text format version!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 03:13 PM

I've just tried e-mailing both Micca and Kat, with the timing as well as the notes, and the addresses I have for you have both bounced. If you'd like to post or PM me with the current ones I'll try again....

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: GUEST,valerie miller
Date: 18 Sep 05 - 03:35 PM

Does anyone know the origin or composer of the Soltice round "This ( or The) Longest Night"

Full lyrics are:

This longest night your candles light
Keep watch o'er all the earth
Welcome hope and cheer as dawn draws near
And rejoice, rejoice at the sun's rebirth

Subject: RE: Winter Solstice
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 30 Dec 17 - 08:26 AM

I'm refreshing this thread because Chris Skinner sang Summer is Invincible at Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman's Big Sing last night, and it's a good time of year to sing it!

Kitty