Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether summer clothe the general earth
With greeness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.



Thursday, October 31, 2013

Samhain



Build up the bonfires  - Now the seasons turn
 Welcome in another year and let the old one burn
Build up the bonfires, light the candles bright
All the hungry spirits will be coming by tonight.

 Light the bonfires; another year has flown
Gather friends around you Don’t spend the night alone
 Sweep out the courtyard to greet the coming year
 Lay a handsome table Your visitors are here


Build up the bonfires - Now the seasons turn
Welcome in another year and let the old one burn
Build up the bonfires, light the candles bright
All the hungry spirits will be coming by tonight.

 Here come your sorrows, all your old regrets
 every broken promise and every unpaid debt
 Perched on your shoulder yearning toward the flame
 Pour them a glass of whiskey and greet them all by name


 Build up the bonfires - Now the seasons turn
Welcome in another year and let the old one burn
Build up the bonfires, light the candles bright
All the hungry spirits will be coming by tonight.

 Now make them welcome Offer them release
Offer them atonement and pray they may find peace
Give them your blessing but do not let them stay
Beat on the cans and the pots and pans
and send them on their way

Build up the bonfires - Now the seasons turn
Welcome in another year and let the old one burn
 Build up the bonfires, light the candles bright
All the hungry spirits will be coming by tonight.

Greetings at Samhain - the ancient Celtic New Year. This is another song from the album by Blanche Rowen and this time I've found the track on Youtube!
This will be my last post for a while as I'm off to the USA this weekend with my daughter. We're visiting the Deep South this time - mostly in Savannah but also five days in New Orleans so that should be fun -and probably exhausting too if I know my daughter:)

18 comments:

Shane Pollard said...

Hello Rowan

Samhain - interesting to read about the old celtic traditions!

Wishing you and your daughter a very happy holiday in the USA.
I've only passed through LA on my way to France and the UK.
I would like to visit too one day.

Happy All Hallows to you!
Shane

Marigold Jam said...

Have a great time in USA. Come back with lots of photos to show us.

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Looking forward to hearing about your adventures in the usa. Take care and keep stretching those legs when you can!

MorningAJ said...

Blessed Be this Samhain. May the season bring you good fortune.

jill said...

Samhain blessings to you xx

Jan said...

Have a wonderful time in the south! It's a good time of the year to visit!

Rosie said...

Wonderful seasonal words. Hope you have a great time on your travels:)

Mac n' Janet said...

Looking forward to seeing you.

Patricia said...

Interesting reading Rowan. Enjoy your trip to the States.
Patricia x

Anonymous said...

Wonderful song. Have a great time in America ... :0)

kerrdelune said...

A very merry merry Samhain my friend, and happy travels.

Bovey Belle said...

Lovely poem and great illustrations. I hope you have a fabulous holiday in America, and look forward to hearing all about it.

WOL said...

Have a safe trip and a fun time!

hart said...

In New Orleans try Mandina's Restaurant down towards the foot of Canal St. It's a real neighborhood restaurant. And try to see both City and Audubon Parks and get a cannoli at Brocatta's near City.--hart (who is from there originally)

Louise said...

Lovely lyrics and pictures. I hope you have a wonderful time away with your daughter.

Jenny Woolf said...

Enjoy the USA! weather will be a bit different from here, methinks!

Unknown said...

fabulous words, going to check out youtube next! You have a beautiful blog. If you would like to visit me back i'm at http://www.astartemoonblog.com, blessings, alison xxx

Regina said...

Happy New Year! Please come back and post again - I miss reading about your adventures far and near and looking at your lovely photographs.