LORD OF THE DANCE In response to many requests for information about the neo-pagan version of Lord Of The Dance.... The words are credited to Aidan Kelly, C. Taliesin Edwards, and Ann Cass; the tune (when it isn't "Simple Gifts") is credited to Jenny Peckham-Vanzant, and may be an old shape-note hymn. Aidan Kelly and C. Taliesin Edwards may be the same person. According to the article in the filksong magazine "Filker Up #3," (a reprint from _Kantele_ #12, Fall 1982, and written by Cathy Cook- MacDonald), the first four verses were written by Kelly and Edwards, four more by Ann Cass in 1975-6, and the four seasonal verses by Ann Cass in 1976. Gwydion recorded the song, with variant lyrics, on his _Songs Of The Old Religion_ tape (not the entire song, though). A version of it can also be found on the tape _Celtic Circle Dance_. -------------------------------------------------------------------- She danced on the water, and the wind was Her horn The Lady laughed, and everything was born And when She lit the sun and its' light gave Him birth The Lord of the Dance first appeared on the Earth (Chorus): Dance, dance, where ever you may be I am the Lord of the Dance, you see! I live in you, and you live in Me And I lead you all in the Dance, said He! I danced in the morning when the World was begun I danced in the Moon and the Stars and the Sun I was called from the Darkness by the Song of the Earth I joined in the Song, and She gave Me the Birth! I dance in the Circle when the flames leap up high I dance in the Fire, and I never, ever, die I dance in the waves of the bright summer sea For I am the Lord of the wave's mystery I sleep in the kernel, and I dance in the rain I dance in the wind, and thru the waving grain And when you cut me down, I care nothing for the pain; In the Spring I'm the Lord of the Dance once again! I dance at the Sabbat when you dance out the Spell I dance and sing that everyone be well And when the dancing's over do not think that I am gone To live is to Dance! So I dance on, and on! I see the Maidens laughing as they dance in the Sun And I count the fruits of the Harvest, one by one I know the Storm is coming, but the Grain is all stored So I sing of the Dance of the Lady, and Her Lord: The Horn of the Hunter cast its' sound 'cross the Plain The birds took the notes, and gave them back again Till the sound of Her music was a Song in the sky And to that Song there is only one reply: The moon in her phases, and the tides of the sea The movement of the Earth, and the Seasons that will be Are the rhythm for the dancing, and a promise thru the years That the Dance goes on thru all our joy, and tears We dance ever slower as the leaves fall and spin And the sound of the Horn is the wailing of the wind The Earth is wrapped in stillness, and we move in a trance, But we hold on fast to our faith in the Dance! The sun is in the southland and the days grow chill And the sound of the horn is fading on the hill 'Tis the horn of the Hunter, as he rides across the plain And the Lady sleeps 'til the Spring comes again The Sun is in the Southland and the days lengthen fast And soon we will sing for the Winter that is past Now we light the candles and rejoice as they burn And we dance the Dance of the Sun's return! They danced in the darkness and they danced in the night They danced on the Earth, and everything was light They danced out the Darkness and they danced in the Dawn And the Day of that Dancing is still going on! I gaze on the Heavens and I gaze on the Earth And I feel the pain of dying, and re-birth And I lift my head in gladness, and in praise For the Dance of the Lord, and His Lady gay I dance in the stars as they whirl throughout space And I dance in the pulse of the veins in your face No dance is too great, no dance is too small, You can look anywhere, for I dance in them all! CIRCLES -Gwen Zak (Tune: "Windmills") In days gone by, when the world was much younger Men wondered at spring, born of winter's gold knife Wondered at the games of the moon and the sunlight, They saw there the Lady and Lord of all life. CHORUS: And around and around and around turns the good earth All things must change as the seasons go by, We are the children of the Lord and the Lady, Whose mysteries we know but we'll never know why. In all lands the people were tied with the good earth Plowing and sowing as the seasons declared Waiting to reap of the rich golden harvest Knowing Her laugh in the joys that they shared. Through Flanders and Wales and the green land of Ireland In Kingdoms of England and Scotland and Spain Circles grew up all along the wild coastline And worked for the land with the sun and the rain. Circles for healing and working the weather Circles for knowing the moon and the sun Circles for thanking the Lord and the Lady Circles for dancing the dance never done And we who reach for the stars in the heavens Turning our eyes from the meadows and groves Still live in the love of the Lord and the Lady The greater the Circle the more the love grows SPRING STRATHSPEY -Gwydion PenDerwyn copyright probably to Nemeton Myrddyn was playing his pipes in the wood, And it sounded so good to my feeling. Hiree, hiroo stirred the dance in the blood, And my fresh maidenhood started reeling. Sweetly it drew me, the song that went through me, As if sure it knew me, a maiden-song, laughing long. I'm sure that I hear it, Oh, let me draw near it, I want to be merrily courted in spring. Round us the trees formed a wheel in my mind, As if all womankind were careering. Softly he touched me, our hands intertwined, And we gently reclined in the clearing. Sweetly it drew me, the song that went through me, As if sure it knew me, a maiden-song, laughing long. I'm sure that I hear it, Oh, let me draw near it, I want to be merrily courted in spring. Dew-fall to star-fall he made love to me, In a manner so free and revealing. Swift-footed, light-footed, goat-footed, he Played a sweet melody with such feeling. Sweetly it drew me, the song that went through me, As if sure it knew me, a maiden-song, laughing long. I'm sure that I hear it, Oh, let me draw near it, I want to be merrily courted in spring. Daylight and I wake to spring's sweet bouquet And a glorious day of beginning. Myrddyn has gone on his magical way, But the equinox day leaves me spinning. Sweetly it drew me, the song that went through me, As if sure it knew me, a maiden-song, laughing long. I'm sure that I hear it, Oh, let me draw near it, I want to be merrily courted in spring. BURNING TIMES/CHANT -Charles Murphy In the cool of the evening, they used to gather, 'neath stars in the meadow, circled near an old oak tree. At the times appointed by the seasons of the Earth, and the phases of the moon. In the center of them stood a woman, equal with the others, and respected for her worth. One of the many we call the Witches, the teachers and the keepers of the wisdom of the Earth The people grew through the knowledge she gave them, herbs to heal their bodies, spells to make their spirits whole. Hear them chanting healing incantations, calling forth the Wise Ones, celebrating in dance and song Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna There were those who came to power through domination, and they bonded in the worship of a dead man on a cross. They sought control of the common people by demanding allegiance to the church of Rome. And the Pope declared the Inquisition, it was a war against the women whose power they feared. In this Holocaust against the nature peoples, a million European women died. And the tales are told of those who, by the hundreds, holding together, chose their deaths in the sea. Chanting the praises of the Mother Goddess, a refusal of betrayal, women were dying to be free. Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Now the Earth is a witch, and the men still burn her! Stripping her down with mining and the poisons of their wars. While to us the Earth is a healer, a teacher, a mother. She's the weaver of the web of life that keeps us all alive. She gives us the vision to see through the chaos. She gives us the courage, it is our will to survive! Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna....(repeat ad lib) CUP OF WONDER -Ian Anderson recorded: "Songs from the Wood" Jethro Tull copyright 1977 Salamander Music pub. USA: Chrysalis Music Corp. May I make my fond excuses for the lateness of the hour But we accept your invitation, and we bring you Beltane's Flower For the May Day is the Great Day, strung along the Old Straight Track And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this song that calls them back! Ask the Green Man where he comes from, ask the Cup that fills with Red Ask the old grey Standing Stones who show the Sun His way to bed Question all as to their Ways, and learn the Secrets that they hold Walk the lines of Nature's Palm, crossed with Silver and with Gold. (Chorus): Pass the Word, and pass the Lady Pass the Plate to all who hunger! Pass the Wit of Ancient Wisdom Pass the Cup of Crimson Wonder! Join in Black December's Madness! Lie in August's welcome Corn! Stir the Cup that's ever filling with the Blood of all that's born! For the May Day is the Great Day, strung along the Old Straight Track And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back! CUP OF WONDER II -variant lyrics by the Whyte Bard May I make my fond excuses for the lateness of the Hour But I accept your invitation, and I bring you Beltane's Flower For the May Day is the Great Day strung along the Old Straight Track And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back! Ask the Green Man where he comes from, ask the Sun his way to bed Ask the grey and Standing Stones where last they lay their head Ask the Lady where She's standing, growing young, and growing old Cross the Lines of Nature's Palm, marked with Silver, crossed with Gold For the May Day is the Great Day strung along the Old Straight Track And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back! Ask the Lady where She's standing in the green and growing corn! Take the Cup that's ever filling with the Blood of all that's born! For the May Day is the Great Day, strung along the Old Straight Track And those who ancient Lines did Ley will heed this Song that calls them back! So, pass the Cup, and pass the Lady! Pass the Plate to all who hunger! Pass the Wit of Ancient Wisdom Pass the Cup of Crimson Wonder! (repeat verse 1) THE HIGH HOLIDAY SONG -Melusine (Tune "The Serving-Girl's Holiday") I've waited longing for today Spin the bobbin and spool away! In joy and bliss I'm off to play Upon this high holiday! CHORUS: And spin the bobbin and spool away! Oh joy that it's a holiday! This night of (name) now we greet Hail my friends, and merry meet! Strike the harp; the drum we'll beat Upon this high holiday! The wine and cakes we've bought and made Found a spot in a moon-lit glade Our love and trust will never fade Especially on this holiday! In forst glade we've built a fire Symbol of our heart's desire Within Her Love we'll never tire Wit thee well this holiday! Cast the Circle, we're within Let the Spiral Dance begin! Invite the Lord and Lady in Upon this high holiday! Dancing, spinning to the tune The Piper plays beneath the moon We chant as one the Witches' Rune Upon this high holiday! ------------------------------------------------------------------ More neo-Pagan songs can be found in the file(s) GRENBUK*.ZIP, which are circulating on Pagan BBSes. ------------------------------------------------------------------ PAGAN MUSIC SOURCES Courtesy of Church of All Worlds Basic Bibliography Church of All Worlds - P.O. Box 1542, Ukiah, CA 95482 PAGAN MUSIC LISTING (alphabetical by sources) Aeolus, 411 Lincoln Blvd. #211, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 Ruth Barrett & Cynthia Smith - AEOLUS, DEEPENING, SONGS OF THE ROLLING WORLD. Ar nDraiocht Fein Box 1022-R, Nyack NY 10960 Isaac Bonewits - BE A PAGAN ONCE AGAIN! Circle, P.O. Box 219, Mt Horeb WI 52572 John Alan & Selena Fox - CIRCLE MAGIC MUSIC DRAGON TRACK, TALES OF THE SONGSMITH SONGS OF PAGAN FOLK, DIFFERENT ROADS Victoria Ganger - Neander, LADY OF THE FLAME Kay Gardner - MOODS & RITUALS, A RAINBOW PATH Lady Isadora & Pan - THE WITCHING HOUR Len Kendrick & others - LAUGHTER AND LOVE Darragh Nagle, et al - STARCRYSTAL Angie Remedi - THE MOTHER CALLS Holly Tannen - INVOCATION Meg Davis - MY HERETIC HEART Laurie Galian c/o Gawain POB 297 Jericho NY 11753 THE SHAMMANS ASCENT The Greenwood Singers POB 3008, Seattle, WA 98103 SONGS & CHANTS - YULE Nemeton, 2140 Shattuck #2093, Berkely CA 94704 Rick & Dehorah Hamouris - WELCOME TO ANNWFN Gwydion Pendderwen - SONGS OF THE OLD RELIGON THE FAERIE SHAMAN Leigh Ann Hussey, 2240 Blake St. #308, Berkeley CA 94704 PANTHEON Kenny & Tziporia Klein, POB 746, New York, NY 10009 MOON HOOVES IN THE SAND, DREAMERS WEB, SONGS OF THE OTHERWORLD, FAIRY QUEEN, WINESKINS, TINKERS & TEARS. Out Front Music, Box 12188, Seattle WA 98102 Charlie Murphy - CATCH THE FIRE, CANTICLE Off-Centaur Publications, POB 424, El Cerrito CA 94530 Julie Ecklar - HORSE TAMERS DAUGHTER Leslie Fish - COLD IRON, TIME WINDS TAVERN, CHICKASAW MOUNTAIN SKYBOUND, THE UNDERTAKERS HORSE. Cynthia Mcquillon SINGERS IN THE SHADOWS, SHADOW SPIN. ----------------------end of file------------------------