We've been rambling all the night

[amelia_petkova]

I was browsing through the iTunes belonging to the other students in my dorm and found an a cappella version of "The Mummer's Dance" by Loreena McKennitt! How kick-ass is that ?

In other musical news, I've been listening to a lot of older Christmas carols. It's so much fun to find the ones that have roots in Paganism, such as "The Holly and the Ivy." Makes me want to hang mistletoe over the windows and doors. As the winter solstice will be here soon, I'm including the lyrics.

Several CDs of holiday that I highly recommend are To Drive the Cold Winter Away and A Winter Garden by Loreena McKennitt; also Mistletoe and Wine by Mediaeval Babes. I'm also fond of "The Coventry Carol."

What are carols that you enjoy? Don't care what your religion is or isn't.



The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir