BEING THE GREEN BOOK OF SONG A compilation of neo-Pagan songs from any place I could get them. I am always interested in more. Please send copies of such to GREEN BOOK, c/o PO Box 35190, Phoenix AZ 85069. Please include the author(s) name(s) and copyright information. Be advised that not all the songs here were written by neo-Pagans, so do not assume that a listed author is or is not a Pagan just by the fact that they wrote a song with neo-Pagan content. Some of the authors are just friendly to neo- Paganism. Some of the authors just wrote the silly songs for the heck of it. Some songs have no author's name attached. I do not know who wrote those, but would appreciate finding out. Many songs in here are under copyright. DO NOT record them without the author(s)' permission! Many of the authors herein can be contacted thru the address above, and, remember: when -I- turns ya into a newt, you -stays- a newt! the Whyte Bard Rowanhold Bardic Phoenix AZ USA The Wiccan Rede -Anonymous (Tune: "Leatherwing Bat" aka "Celtic Circle Dance") Bide the wiccan laws you must, When ye have and hold a need, In perfect love and perfect trust: Harken not to others greed Live you must and let to live, With a fool no season spend, Fairly take and fairly give Or be counted as his friend Form the circle thrice about When misfortune is enow, To keep unwelcome spirits out Wear the star upon thy brow To bind your spell will every time, True in love you ever be, Let the spell be spake in rhyme Lest thy love be false to thee Soft of eye and light of touch, Merry meet and merry part, Speak you little, listen much Bright the cheeks and warm the heart. Deosil go by the waxing moon, Mind the threefold law you should Chanting out the baleful tune Three times bad and three times good When the Lady's moon is new, Nine woods in the cauldron go, Kiss your hand to her times two Burn them fast and burn them slow When the moon rides at her peak, Elder be the Lady's tree, Then your heart's desire seek Burn it not or cursed you'll be Heed the north winds mighty gale, When the wheel begins to turn, Lock the door and trim the sail Soon the Beltane fires will burn When the wind comes from the south, When the wheel hath turned a Yule Love will kiss thee on the mouth Light the log the Horned One rules When the wind blows from the east, Heed you flower, bush and tree, Expect the new and set the feast. By the Lady blessed be When the wind blows from the west Where the rippling waters go, Bardic words be at their best! Cast a stone, the truth you'll know Bide the wiccan laws you must, In perfect love and perfect trust: These words the wiccan rede fulfill; "An harm you none, do what you will." The Witch's Ballad -Doreen Valente? Oh, I have been beyond the town, Where nightshade black and mandrake grow, And I have heard and I have seen What righteous folk would fear to know! For I have heard, at still midnight, Upon the hilltop far, forlorn, With note that echoed through the dark, The winding of the heathen horn. And I have seen the fire aglow, And glinting from the magic sword, And with the inner eye beheld The Horned One, the Sabbat's lord. We drank the wine, and broke the bread, And ate it in the Lady's name. We linked our hands to make the ring, And laughed and leaped the Sabbat game. Oh, little do the townsfolk reck, When dull they lie within their bed! Beyond the streets, beneath the stars, A merry round the witches tread! And round and round the circle spun, Until the gates swung wide ajar, That bar the boundaries of earth From faery realms that shine afar. Oh, I have been and I have seen In magic worlds of Otherwhere. For all this world may praise or blame, For ban or blessing nought I care. For I have been beyond the town, Where meadowsweet and roses grow, And there such music did I hear As worldly-rightous never know. The Thong Of Thor -Anonymous (Tune: "Girl I Left Behind Me") In days of yore, the great god Thor would ramp around creation. He'd drink a pint and slay a giant and save the Nordic nation, Or kill a Worm to watch it squirm and vainly try to fang him, Or lock up Loki in the pokey and on the noggin bang him. Once he did bawl through Thrudvang Hall that on a trip he'd wander In a disguise from prying eyes, in Midgard way out yonder, So all his slaves, huscarls and knaves, packed up his goods and gear, O, And off he strode, on Bifrost road, a perfect Aryan hero. In Midgard land he joined a band of hardy Viking ruff-i-ans, And off they sailed and rowed and bailed among the auks and puff-i-ans. Whene'er they'd reach a foreign beach they stopped to raid and plunder; Each Nordic brute got so much loot their longship near went under. But as they rolled in coins of gold, they had one joy forsaken, For on each raid Thor's party made, no women could be taken. Each drab and queen fled from the scene when Viking sails were sighted, And Thor felt the need for certain deeds that had gone unrequited. Thor's brows were black as they went back to Oslo's rocky haven; Unto his crew he said, "Beshrew me for a Frankish craven "If I don't wrench some tavern wench, or else may Frigga damn her." Replied one voice, "You got first choice; you've got the biggest hammer." Into an inn that crew of sin disembarked upon their landing, Each tavern maid was sore afraid of pirates of such standing. But golden coins warmed up their loins and the ale soon ran free; Thor's motley crew poured down the brew and made an all-night spree. Thor's glances strayed unto a maid with hair as gold as grain, A lisp so shy, a downcast eye, and not a trace of brain; He swept her charms into his arms and to an upstairs bower, And did not cease nor give her ease for six days and an hour! When he rose up and drained a cup, she looked like one that's near death: Her limbs were weak, she could not speak, and only gasped for her breath. "You ought to know, before I go, I'm Thor," he bade adieu. "You're Thor!" said she. "Conthider me! I'm thorer, thir, than you!" King Henry (Child #32) recorded by Steeleye Span "Below the Salt" Let never a man a-wooing wend that lacketh thing-s three: A store of gold, an open heart, and full of charity And this was said of King Henry, as he lay quite alone For he's taken him to a Haunted hall, seven miles from the town He's chased the deer now him before, and the doe down by the glen When the fattest buck in all the flock, King Henry he has slain His huntsmen followed him to the Hall, to make them burly cheer When loud the wind was heard to howl, and an earthquake rocked the floor As darkness covered all the Hall where they sat at their meat The grey dogs, yowling, left their food and crept to Henry's feet And louder howled the rising wind, and burst the fastened door When in there came a grisly ghost, stamping on the floor! Her head hit the rooftree of the house, her middle you could not span Each frightened Huntsman fled the hall, and left the King alone Her teeth were like the tether-stakes, her nose like club or mall And nothing less she seemed to be than a Fiend that comes from Hell! Some meat, some meat, you King Henry, some meat you bring to me Go kill your horse, you King Henry, and bring some meat to me! And he has slain his berry-brown steed, it made his heart full sore For she's eaten it up, both skin and bone, left nothing but hide and hair! More meat, more meat, you King Henry, more meat you give to me! Oh you must kill your good greyhounds, and bring some meat to me! And he has slain his good greyhounds, it made his heart full sore For she's eaten them up, both skin and bone, left nothing but hide and hair! More meat, more meat, you King Henry, more meat you give to me! Oh, you must slay your good goshawks, and bring some meat to me! And he has slain his good goshawks, it made his heart full sore For she's eaten them up, both skin and bone, left nothing but feathers bare! Some drink, some drink, you King Henry, some drink you give to me Oh you sew up your horse's hide, and bring some drink to me! And he's sewn up the bloody hide, and a pipe of wine put in And she's drank it up all in one drop, left never a drop therein! A bed, a bed, now King Henry, a bed you'll make for me! Oh you must pull the heather green, and make it soft for me! And he has pulled the heather green, and made for her a bed And taken has he his good mantle, and over it he has spread. Take off your clothes, now King Henry, and lie down by my side! Now swear, now swear, you King Henry, to take me as your Bride! Oh God forbid, said King Henry, that ever the like betide; That ever a Fiend that comes from Hell should stretch down by my side! Then the night was gone, and the day was come and the sun did fill the Hall The fairest Lady that ever was seen lay twixt him and the wall! I've met with many a Gentle Knight that gave me such a fill, But never before with a Perfect Knight, that gave me all my Will! 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_, by Joe Bethancourt. ------------------------------------- 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 Lady 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! Celtic Circle Dance (c) copyright 1984, 1992 W. J. Bethancourt III recorded: CELTIC CIRCLE DANCE, WTP-0002 tune: "Same Old Man/Leatherwing Bat" (Trad. Appalachian) Hi said the Norn, sittin in the sand Once I talked to a great Grey Man Spun three times and said with a sigh Hadn't been for the Runes had His other eye! Chorus: Hi diddle i diddle i day Hi diddle i diddle i diddle ay Hi di diddle i diddle i day Fol the dink a dum diddle do di day Hi said the Lady, dressed in green Came the Stag from oaken wood Prettiest thing I've ever seen Saw the Lady where She stood She went down underneath the hill By the fire burning bright And came back out of Her own free will Came to know His heart's delight! Brian Boru, on Irish ground Hail to the Lady, One in Three Walked three times the Island round We welcome You and honour Thee Norsemen came lookin for a fight As You light and guard the night just another Irish Saturday night! Honour now our sacred rite! Hi said Lugh on the banquet night Hi said the Lady dressed in white A poet and a player and a good wheelwright Sang the Day and sang the Night A harper and a warrior and none the least: Sang the Land and sang the Sea A Druid and he got in to the Feast! Sang the Song, and then sang me! Harold Haardrada's face was red! Hail to the Lord at the Lady's side Came to Britain and he wound up dead Master of the Hunt, in the day You ride Stamford Bridge is where he's found Fire burn and fire bright Got six feet of English ground Honour now our sacred rite! The Legion with its Eagles bright The Circle forms, the Circle flows Marched into the Pictish night The Circle goes where no man knows Met them there upon the sand Hail to the Lady, one in three: Gave 'em up to the Wicker Man! Present is past and past is me! Eight-legged steed and hound of Hel By Sword and Harp, and Irish Hound The One-Eyed Man, he loves ya well Blessed Be: the Day I've found Fire burn and fire spark Hail to the Lady, one in Three Are you then feared of the dark? Present is Past and Past is WE Rhiannon's Birds are still in flight Fire and Water, Air and Earth all thru the day, all thru the night The Cauldron calls for our rebirth Hail to the Lady, one in Three Hail to the Lady, three times three Present is past and past is Thee! The Circle's cast; so mote it be! Salt and oil and mirror bright From East and South and West and North Fire and fleet and candlelight Call the Powers to come forth! By fin and feather, leaf and tree, Hail to the Lady, three times three, Fill the Cup and Blessed Be! The Circle's cast; so mote it be! From the misty crystal sea By Oak and Ash and Holy Thorn Came the Lady to the lea Blessed Be the day you're born! Sword and Roses in Her Hand Fire burn and fire bright Spread their seeds thruout the Land Walk in safety thru the night 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. Bedlam Bells -Joe Bethancourt (c) copyright 1992 W.J. Bethancourt III (Tune: "Mad Maudlin" aka "Tom O'Bedlam") Written as a theme song for the Bedlam Bells Morris dance troupe, and originally improvised at WesterCon 45, Phoenix, AZ. Tune guitar: DADGBD Out upon the Borderlands I've watched the stars a-falling I've drunk deep from Mad River and I've heard my soul a-calling CHORUS: Still I sing bonny bells, bonny mad bells, Bedlam Bells are bonny! For we all go bare and we live by the air And we want your drink and money! I now repent that ever My staff hath murder'd giants Myself was so disdain-ed My bells can call the thunder! My wits are lost since me I cros't I stamp my feet and tread the dance Which makes me go thus chain-ed And split the sky in sunder! To find our wits in Bordertown, My horn is made of Elven-blades, Ten thousand years we'll travel I stole it cross the Border! And maudlin go on dancing toes, The rainbow there is this I wear To save our shoes from gravel For my wits are out of order! I crossed into fair Elfland I went to Digger's Kitchen To find the soul I'd squandered To beg some food one morning To hunt my sighs in children's eyes I got my dreams served piping hot But still my soul had wandered And saw a city burning I had an Elfin lady, I'll wander thru the Borderlands And took her for to wife me With feathers in my hair-o She sleeps the day, she sings the night With my true love close to my side And hearkens to delight me! And back and sides go bare-o! Both in and out of Bordertown I'll dance the day, I'll dance the night I've drank Mad River's water And spend my time a-singing And stood upon the Bridge O'Dread Dance out the old, ring in the new And watched the sudden slaughter! With Bedlam Bells a-ringing! Take a drink for Tom of Bedlam Take a drink from the river's water! And speak in sighs from darkened eyes And court the River's daughter! 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)