Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni

Subject: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: CapriUni
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 02:05 PM

This one wanted to go with the tune from Gartan Mother's Lullaby (granted, the accents aren't quite the same, but there's not enough difference to post a new ABC file).

Tree of Life, it has roots so deep, they grow within our souls.
Its trunk is our spine and strength, and grace when trouble calls.
Oh, spirits fill_ its branches high and sing into_ the night
And ever-y leaf_, so ever green is tipped with stars so bright.

Gather around this little tree, our Earthly kith and kin
Leave your worries in the past and let your joy begin
One year is over, and still the next, it is not yet_ begun
And so we gather around this tree while songs of hope are sung.

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: mg
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 01:01 AM

very pretty....I automatically started singing it to tannenbaum though with a change here and there.... mg

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 01:11 AM

How lovely in the darkest days of the year to send your darkest greetings.

WILLOW - with tripop PopUps - will also do the best to make this cheery season a little wican weary and dreary.

http://members.tripod.com/~Willow_Firesong/YulCarls/index.html

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 10:46 AM

mg:

I tried singing it to Tannenbaum, when I was composing it, but for some reason, it didn't fit for me. And I was wondering: What is the litteral translation of "Tannenbaum"? I recognise 'tree' in "-baum," but I don't recognize either "Yule" or "Christ" in "tannen-"... Hmmmm.

GUEST: Here's Willow's link as a Blickie:

Willow Firesong's Yule Carol Index

And if you think my song is dark, Guest, perhaps you'd prefer this traditional carol from the 17th Century: All Hail to the Days; that was, in part, my inspiration.

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 01:12 PM

What in the world is dark about it? It sounds hopeful to me.... mg

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: MMario
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 01:38 PM

tannenbaum = fir tree

tannen (according to babelfish at least ) = firs (note, plural for some reason)

baum = tree

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: MMario
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 01:41 PM

you might find this interesting as well:

A Tannenbaum is a fir tree (die Tanne) or Christmas tree (der Weihnachtsbaum). Although most trees today are Fichten (spruce) rather than Tannen, the qualities of the evergreen have inspired musicians to write several "Tannenbaum" songs in German over the years. The best known version (above) was penned in 1824 by a Leipzig organist named Ernst Anschütz. The melody is an old folk tune. The first known "Tannenbaum" song lyrics date back to 1550. A similar 1615 song by Melchior Franck (1573-1639) goes: "Ach Tannebaum, ach Tannebaum, du bist ein edler Zweig! Du grünest uns den Winter, die lieben Sommerzeit." - The English version above is a literal translation by your Guide, not the normal English lyrics for the song.

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 01:42 PM

I'm wondering whether our annonymous Guest is just trying to Troll bait me, or maybe just trying to tease. For the sake of the season, and good luck for the coming new year, I shall assume the latter. And I am glad for the link to Willow Firesong's index, there's a treasure trove of good filked carols there.

So I will sneak a branch of mistletoe over that Guest's furrowed brow, and plant a kiss on the top of ye old noggin.

***Mwaah***

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 01:52 PM

Thanks, MMario!

When I was growing up in the country, we'd get a live, ball and burlap, tree to plant in the spring. Douglas Fir was our perrenial favorite.

And, knowing that the tree was still alive, it gave a sense of really singing to the tree, when we sang, and carefully picking the ornaments to match the strength of individual branches.

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: MMario
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 01:58 PM

BTW - for those "you stole our..." people out there - There are no records of Christmas Trees being used as decorations for about 400 years *post* Christian missionaries moving into the part of the world where the christmas tree tradtion comes from. (and records also show that those missionaries chose evergreens as symbolic of Christ *because* they were not worshipped locally) At that time they were brought in and hung upside down from the cielings; their tringular shape symbolizing the trinity. it wasn't until about another 400 years they were tipped upside right and lit with candles - and of course HRH Albert then brought the custom to England (and it spread to the copycat New World) in the 1800's

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 03:46 PM

:::Nods:::

Decorated trees were part of the Roman Saturnalia, but they were not part of the Early Germanic tradition. It was the Missionaries from Rome that brought it north.

Folks (on both sides of the religious divide) that claim the other side is out to destroy the "true spirit of the Season" really annoy me. I'm annoyed by Christians that portray Pagans as being Grinchy for pointing out that Jesus was not born at midwinter (a fact that is alluded to even in the Biblical account). And I'm also annoyed by Pagans that try to portray the Christian celebration of this time as the result of forced conversions.

Of all the times that the early Christains could have picked for celebrating Christ's birth, the winter solstice just makes sense, because, for the Christian believer, Christ is the "living light that saves us from the darkness."

Our beliefs (whether religious or secular) are reborn anew each time we take the time to observe them. If you're a Christain, you can see, and honor, the tree as a symbol of the Holy Trinity and the Eternal Life promised through Christ's sacrifice. If you're Pagan, you can see, and honor, the tree as an embodiment of the Cosmic World Tree. If you are an atheist who believes in the teaching of science, you might choose to see the tree as a metaphorical representation of how all life is related through evolution, and be grateful that we live in a world as diverse and beautiful as it is.

I look at the tree and see one thing. But each and every one of my neighbors is still just as free as they ever were to see the tree in their own way.

If you keep your holy days in your heart, than no one can ever steal them from you.

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: MMario
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 03:51 PM

hey CU?!?

{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: open mike
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 04:03 PM

ah--thank you!
see shot gun shells thread....
for how a christmas tree can bring joy..
and foster unity...

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 05:55 PM

Hey, MMario?

:::Brings out that durn Mistletoe, again:::

***Mwah!***

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 05:59 PM

What's the title of the thread, OM? I'll look for it!!

Subject: RE: Yule Tree Carol (pagan) from CapriUni
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 06:41 PM

BTW, the lyrics of this song are based on a poem I wrote as a Christmas present for my mother, some 20 years ago (don't remember exactly when, but I know I was at least a sophomore in college at the time):

Walk with caution around this tree
whose root reach deep within us all.

Dance with grace around this tree
whose trunk is our spine and our strength.

Laugh with humor around this tree
whose branches are filled with spirits singing
like so many birds in the spring.

Love this tree.
Learn its songs.
Taste its fruits.
Fall asleep in its shade.

Build a treehouse as high as you can
And invite everyone to tea.
There's room enough.