Witchcraft - positive songs about?

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 03:47 PM

hg, have you gone round the bend or what? I am a bit surprised to hear this coming from you.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: GUEST,amergin
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 02:41 PM

harpgirl just is speaking from her arse as usual

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: akenaton
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 02:32 PM

I think your being a bit paranoid Harpgirl...The witches are allowed to have their say and they dont harm anyone,,,Not like our born again leaders Bush and Blair.The organised religions have caused more death and torture(physical and mental) than witches could even think of.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: harpgirl
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 02:09 PM

Paul...better to admit to being a bad witch than to lie about being a good one! I am a witch.

I am a very, very bad witch. I know for a fact there are no good witches. Witches are always bad. Therefore anyone who tells you they are a good witch is simply lying and probably trying to work black magic on you with lies. Also, some of them who claim to be good witches are simply self-deluded. We have a number of those here on mudcat! Beware!!!!

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: akenaton
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 02:00 PM

Cool it you witches..... I see by the messages youve still got the old Hokus Pokus Going....If were going to change the world for the better weve got to be believable What we need is simple truth and no magic stuff.I think some of you get carried away by the power buzz.That makes you just as bad as the materialist creeds.But thanks for a lot of nice songs..I never thought this thread would turn out so well...Ake

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 10:16 AM

Well there's always Stan Crowther's song The Vicar and the Frog.

Tam Lin usually has a happy ending as well.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Peterr
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 09:51 AM

treewind - thanks for The Burning Times. I have only a tape but no track titles

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: GUEST,X
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 08:07 AM

The Old Straight Track is a nice song about strange things

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: GUEST,Paul Mitchell
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 08:05 AM

Well, I have a C.D. full of pagan songs. If you are interested you can PM me and I'll try and work out how to MP3 one to send for a laugh. I'm not sure they are overly positive, but lots of people seem to like them.

Harpgirl. I am a witch. However, I'm not very good at it, so in my case maybe you're right.

Good thread!

Paul

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Gareth
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 07:53 AM

Mmmmm Positive songs maybe, but arn't they all sort of recent.

Is there any song existing from the "burninng times" ?

Gareth

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 07:14 AM

You Say The Battle Is Over was written by my good friend, Dave (Mallett, just to set the record straight.)

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 12:13 AM

Ludicrous Linx, MAX, Joe, Pene????

The censorship of my attempted postings .... within this thread....are deplorable....dispicable...and VERY under-handed to the stated MC foundation of - FREE DISCUSSION - you have claimed to support!

I believe .... that you are calling ME, a guardian, into a holy-jihad...against the powers of darkness..... present within this thread.

It has been a long while.....but I will ACCEPT the gaunlet that has been tossed.

THANK YOU!@ It will be FUN!

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

---

Gargoyle, you know the rules. You have harassed certain people for so long that any personal reference from you seems like a personal attack. If you make personal references, they will be deleted.
Period.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: toadfrog
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:56 PM

942. Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen(Music).

That old black magic has me in it's spell.-
That old black Magic that you weave so well.
Those icy fingers up and down my spine.
The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine.
The same old tingle that I feel inside
and then the elevator starts its ride
and down and down I go
round and round I go
like a leaf
that's caught in a tide
I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name
and I'm aflame
Aflame with such burning desire

that only your kiss can put out your fire
for you're the lover I have waited for
the mate that fate had me created for
and every time your lips meet mine
darling down and down I go
round and round I go
in a spin, loving the spin I'm in
Under that old black magic called love!

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: LadyJean
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:38 PM

Mudcat has the lyrics to "The Bonny Lass of Anglesea", who always sounds like a witch to me, but a very positive witch. Then, of course there's "The Two Magicians". Try Moongate designs. They have some songbooks, or Morgan Wolfsinger, she has some wiccan songs. I once owned a record called "Witchcraft and Warhoops", that included songs about the Salem witch trials. If you find it in somebody's bargain bin for no more than twenty five cents, buy it. It isn't good, but the songs are interesting.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 09:51 PM

Here's a link to a list of pagan songs from the filk community. Scroll about halfway down.

-- Gary

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: GUEST,amergin
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 07:08 PM

you mean his penis?

sorry i just came back from that what do you call your thingie thread...

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 06:58 PM

Having another think about Pagan-type songs - can I point you in the direction of John Denver. I know he has a somewhat twee reputation, but he has written or performed songs which are very environment-caring e.g. "You Say That The Battle Is Over" There is a whole host of similar on his CDs. He seems to sing from the soul - if you know what I mean.

ZM

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: curmudgeon
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 06:48 PM

This is a most interesting thread. However, I must express some opposing opinions.

harpgirl - I've probably known more witches than you; they are all really good people, just like all the autoharp players I know.

Amergin -- Don't be so quick to condemn Murray. I find some of her theories a bit problematic, others fascinating. BTW, she never claimed to be an historian. Her field was literature, the only means by which a woman of her time could become involved in archaeology. Russell Hope Robbins, in "The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology" gives a "conservative" estimate of 200,000 persons murdered for "witchcraft" in a 200 year span.

Barry and Susan of DT -- I loathed "Susannah Martin" upon first hearing. The tone, the text, the details. all condemn this innocent woman who was murdered by the Salem Theocrats.

On the other hand there are songs such as "The Two Magicians," "Scarborough Fair" and "John Barleycorn."

One could also work this old prayer into a song:

Earth, Earth, Earth, O Mother Earth!
May the All-wielder, the Everlord grant you
acres a-waxing, upwards a-growing,
pregnant with corn and plenteous in power,
whole hosts of grain shafts and of shining plants!
Blossoms of broad barley
waxing of white wheat ears,
harvest of the whole land.

Excuse my rant -- Tom

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 05:34 PM

check out these songs in the DT:
   Broomfield Wager (various)
   Witch of the West-Mer-Lands
   Susanna Martin
While not positive nature forces, these witches are not evil. Susanna is acused of being evil, but it is not clear that she is. And she is spunky.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 03:29 PM

This is a good place to check for wemoon's CDs, many of which are pagan/wiccan/etc.: Ladyslipper Music.

If you do order anything, though, if you ask our own Dick Greenhaus, of the DigiTrad Database and owner of Camsco Music, to get it for you, the Mudcat will receive a portion of your purchase price.

Great songs and info, folks!

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 03:24 PM

Harpgirl: You are entitled to your belief, theory and reason and as Wiccans/Witches/etc. we will respect that. I hope you will simply respect OUR right to worship as we see fit. There are many paths to the truth. I wish you Bright Blessings and enlightment.

Re: Nigel and Seldy. I haven't seen them for about 5 years now but I remember they did an albumn called something like "Pagan Easter" which I thought a very odd title, but the music worked.

Re: "The river is flowing ..." there is another verse to this which is simply:

"The moon - she is waxing
Waxing and waning
The moon - she is waiting for us to be free
Mother Earth carry me, a child I will always be
Mother Earth carry me, back to the sea"

Blesséd be

Rhiannon (Zany Mouse)

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 02:33 PM

which witch is which? Do you mean "wiccans"? or the Sorceress/enchantress/storybook-stereotype? or "magicuser" in general? or "someone who poisons with herbs" which is probably the actual meaning of the word translated as "witch" in the King James Bible?

Besides - you are wrong - as Glinda is defined as a "good witch" in the Wizard of Oz. And you can't wish her out of existance.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Amos
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 02:06 PM

Harpgirl:

I doubt you can provide clear definitions of the terms you use in your last post regarding the complete absence of good witches. What do you mean, actually?

A

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: kendall
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 02:00 PM

hg, how many witches do you know personally? It sure sounds like you are parroting the organized religion mantra. All hatred is based in fear, you know that from your profession.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Amergin
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 01:46 PM

the problem with witchcraft is that so many so called witches are just as misinformed about their religion as are many christains....

like the so called "Burning Times" a fallacy invented by the supposed "historian" Margaret Murphy....in which she claims that millions of witches were burned during the hunts...the figure is closer to 40,000 in the 3 centuries of the hunts...and most of those 40,000 were christain....

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 01:27 PM

Susanna Martin, recorded a while back by Touchstone. The words were taken from one of the orginal Salem trial transcript & put to music by Claudine Langille (sp?) one of the groups singer's & their banjo player. It's in DT Good Luck, Barry

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 01:16 PM

This is from Little Ticks of Time, by Matt McGinn.

On listening to it in a bit more detail it's not all that positive but you could maybe just cut out the third verse, or do a Matt McGinn style parody on it and change the words (?).

It has got a great sing along chorus (Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae ).

Apparently he wrote this after acting in MacBeth.

THE WITCHES SONG

Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae
Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae

If you wander near the forest
On the witches you may chance
In the middle o' the night they're there for necromantic dance

Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae
Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae

The weather must be dreer
The hour must be drab
The cauldron's on the fire, we will mak' our thick and slab (??)

Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae
Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae


Frae the lizard take the leg
Then unleash the dog
Fling them intae boil with the carcass o' the frog

Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae
Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae

Black spirits and white
Red spirits and grey
Mingle mingle mingle mingle you the tringle dae (??)

Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae
Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae

Now the broth is brewed
Now the dance is done
We will follow our stomachs for the feast has just begun

Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae
Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae
Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae
Hi tatty tatty tatty hi come tatty tae............

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: lady penelope
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 01:15 PM

I used to be in a pagan choir and we did all sorts of stuff, from Karmina Burana to Metallica!

Our usual opening was Lady Spin, a round sung to the tune of "hey ho nobody at home"

Lady spin your circle bright
Weave your web of dark and light
Earth air fire and water
Bind us in one

Turning Point was a favourite, I can't remember who wrote it but here's the chorus

No one's slave I am no one's master
No one's slave I am no one's master
On my grave they will write this after I am gone
And then my breath will go to the earth it lives on
And then my breath will go to the earth it lives from.......

Dance the mystic spiral is a good one and can be just chanted.

Tread Gently is by Carolyn Hillier and is one of my favourites
Carolyn Hillier is a good source altogether.

Doreen Valiente put pagan Beltaine sentiment to the tune of "My delight" that's a good one to get everyone to join in on.

Some one put The Celtic Blessing to music ( changing God to Goddess ) and that's really gorgeous. K. Hollands holds the copywright for the version we did.

We also did The Last Leviathan

Burning Times is the one that lists all the names of the Goddess.

Have fun!

TTFN Lady P.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: treewind
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 12:49 PM

Peterr, that's The Burning Times, already mentioned above with this link

Anahata

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: JennyO
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 12:13 PM

More song lyrics here

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: JennyO
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 12:08 PM

Here's a nice one. I usually gently drum while singing it:

Spirit of the Wind

Spirit of the Wind carry me
Spirit of the Wind carry me home
Spirit of the Wind carry me home to myself

Spirit of the Ocean, depth of emotion
Spirit of the Sea, set myself free

Spirit of the Wind etc

Spirit of the Rain, wash away the pain
Spirit of the Storm, help me be reborn

Spirit of the Wind etc

Spirit of the Sun, warm light healing me
Spirit of the Sky, spread my wings and fly

Spirit of the Wind etc

Spirit of the Earth, help me with my birth
Spirit of the Land, hold me in your hand

Spirit of the Wind etc

Spirit of the River, blessed forgiver
Spirit of the Shore, shows me more and more

Spirit of the Wind carry me
Spirit of the Wind carry me home
Spirit of the Wind carry me home to myself.

While looking on Google for these words to post I came across this website
which has lots of songs and chants - as far as I can see, it is only lyrics unfortunately.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: GUEST,Peterr
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 12:01 PM

A wonderful song which I've only heard Artisan perform, with a wandering melody and an almost chanted chorus
Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Calle, Hinuna (?)
all about the persecution of witches in the middle ages. Not cheerful, but definitely positive

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 11:51 AM

Nanny Ogg always sings 'A wizards staff got a knob on the end' or 'You can't bugger a hedgehog'. Is that the type of thing;-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: MAG
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:58 AM

Claudia Schmidt's Beltane Boogie is a love song.

Above song Kat quotes is on Nancy Schimmel's old LP by the Plum Pudding Players, if you can find it. I think Bonnie Lockheart was in the group.

Linda Waterfall's Girls Night Out (We'll ride the wind tonight) is a must.

I learned one of the chants above as:

Cauldron of changes, Blossom of bone

Ark of eternity, Hole in the stone
We are the old ...

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:46 AM

Whatever, hg!

Animaterra! That's exactly where we were, Noho/Northampton and I love the tune the girls learned at South Street school.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: harpgirl
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:22 AM

There aren't any good witches. Anyone who claims otherwise is just plain wrong...hg

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: open mike
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:22 AM

here is where you can hear a clip of Christians and Pagans
off the mortal city
"album"

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: open mike
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:10 AM

here is the best one i remember:
Dar William's The Christians and the Pagans
where one line says now when christians and
pagans get to gether only pumpkin pies are burning.
Dar records on a record label called
"razor and tie" and the owners of the label
say that the only razors and ties they want
in their lives are the ones in the label name.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Alba
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:00 AM

There is a Company called Serpentine Music which sells Libana's Music under Chants and Devotional, as well as many other Pagan and Witches recordings in a few different styles.
You can find them here: Click Here

One of my favorites is Ruth Barrett and Cynthia Smith's CD "Heart is the only Nation"
Best of wishes on your search.
Brightest Blessings
JD

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: treewind
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 08:57 AM

I wondered how long it would be before someone came in with the suggestion of some actual pagan chants.

Nigel Bourne and Seldiy Bate have recorded some good music and songs - they are both witches and their songs all have a very Pagan theme - try looking for "Esbat Music" though I can't remember if that's the label, an album title or their name as a band/duo.

You'll find them.... ah Google came up with this - what could be more appropriate for this forum!

'... Esbat Music, who have put "the Paganism back into Folk music ... and Folk music back into Paganism". That's what they reckon, anyway, and if the site's anything to go by, I can't wait to hear their music.'

Unfortunately the Esbat Music link doesn't work, and I haven't seen them for ages. Maybe next Abbotts Bromley Horn Dance day, always a common ground for pagans and folkies.

In the UK try looking for musical events at PF meetings, or wander down the high street of Glastonbury and see what you can find buried among the New-age-celtic-synthesiser-didgeridoos-and-dolphins mush... There must be some more good stuff out there somewhere.

Of course, in another sense there are lots of folk songs about witches - e.g. women tricking men by enchantment, like The Broomfield Wager or The Maid on the shore - whether you think that's positive depend on which side you are on, but there's certainly no malicious intent. Well OK, the maid on the shore steals a ship full of gold, but the captain deserved that...

Oh yes - just remembered - try this pagan folk singer: Pete Jennings

Anahata

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Micca
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 07:43 AM

Debs, they are wonderful, I recommend them, I have a sampler tape that I received a coupla years ago, and have since bought several CDs If it would help I can send you the sampler If you like, PM me?
I am sure Animaterra can arrange something for you if you want to go straight for the CDs. Try the one with "Until the Dark time ends" on it, a Wonderful song, while not written as Pagan, has a strong resonance for many Pagans that have heard it!!!!

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 06:47 AM

Animaterra, would love to hear your cd's is there a way I can buy them?
~Debs~

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 06:47 AM

Burning Times (Charlie Murphy) is in the DT, unattributed.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 06:31 AM

Hey, Kat, where were you living in 84/85? Was that when you were in western MA? It's possible your kids learned the tune my friend Melanie came up with, since she liked Bonnie's words but not her tune. I personally like her tune better than Bonnie's, myself!

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 04:27 AM

Hi Akenaton
great thread, and I couldn't agree with you more if the entire world population could abide by the wiccan crede of "DO WHAT THY WILL AS LONG AS IT HARMS NONE" what a better place it would be. There are many songs/chants out there that play to a wilder and older beat. Here a few chants that can easily be done in a round.

The river is flowing
flowing and growing
the river is flowing down to the sea
Mother Earth carry me
your child I will always be
Mother Earth carry me down to the sea

~

Building bridges between our divisions
I reach out for you, and you reach out for me
with all of our voices, and all of our visions
brothers we can make such a sweet harmony
sisters we can make such a sweet harmony

~

Cauldron of changes, feathers on the bow
ark of eternity, ring around the stone
we are the old people, we are the new people
we are the same people wiser than before.

It's difficult to imagine the beauty of the songs without tunes, but it would be easy to make up any lilting melody which would suit. If you want to PM me I can let you have more details of some other songs and the tunes to these chants if you would like..... or suggest some source material.
Blessed Be
~Debs~

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 03:33 AM

You're welcome and I agree with you. There is a simple round we *wemoon* used to sing, which is very beautiful:

We all come from the Goddess
And to her we shall return
Like a drop...of ra-in
Flowing to the o-o-cean

There are a lot of songs on the albums of Libana, esp. their first one A Circle is Cast. They also have a songbook. Also, Mudcatter, Animaterra, directs a women's group by the same name which does a lot of similar songs. The music on their CDs is beautiful.

Blessed Be,

kat

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: akenaton
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 03:25 AM

Thanks for the lovely wee song Kat Its just what i was thinking of.
If we can get people to understand that the important thing on this planet is the natural cycle and that as individuals we are pretty insignificant,perhaps well become kinder and better people.
I would be glad to get any more songs you can find   Best wishes Alex.

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 02:29 AM

Whoo-boy, Doug/darkriver, that might've gotten a tad hot around there had he done so! Great story, thanks!

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: darkriver
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 01:19 AM

Kat,

that song you quote reminds me. Our older son (now a teen--gulp) attended a daycare that had a musician visit once a week. Toward one Halloween, she taught the tots that witch song. We didn't think anything much about it until my wife, son, and I went down to So. Cal. to visit wife's old old friend. Friend's now married to a very militant Christian guy, and they have 3 nice kids. After dinner, their kids put on an entertainment in which they each demonstrated or performed something. Wife and self were sweating bullets, certain that our son was going to get up and sing "There's a witch in every woman..." in front of Mr Born-Again....

Didn't happen though, but until the ordeal was over we were just eyeing each other in desperation. LATER, we found it funny.

doug aka darkriver

Subject: RE: Witchcraft - positive songs about?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 12:00 AM

Well, I just listened to her singing it and the tune is different from the one my girls were taught, so maybe that explains her copyright, too. She's a little too *polished* for my taste, but you at least get an idea of the song.:-)