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December Celebrations

by Bart the Bard

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James Hinsey
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kameshwari-kate
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Editor B
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roelofheij
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Karl
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1.
Io Saturnalia 04:34
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One became a freedman And so he wore a hat Told his former master Just what was never said Then his former master Took one hard look and laughed Said to his former slave I’m glad now that is that Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! They all sat ‘round a table The king sat at the head They all were proper tispy They all were proper fed The king told them to do Exactly what he said: To dance upon the table And imitate a cat! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Everyone who gathered Had brought a little gift Sigillaria were gifted The spirits to uplift Some were made of wax While others were of clay The figures of the gods To who we often pray Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Things you shouldn’t do, no longer frowned upon during saturnalia, do whatever you may want Gamble round the table, stake half your fortunes here And so the poor become the rich, it is that time of year. Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! And then came an end To the Saturnalia It’s a long wait, my friend To the Saturnalia But I’m glad we shared This Saturnalia It’s a long wait, my friend To the next… Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia!
2.
King of Saturnalia 02:47
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He’s the king appointed, Saturnalia The king he may not like it, But he must rule us I‘m the king appointed, this Saturnalia You won’t really like it, But do as I say yah You got to do, Everything he tells you to You got to stoop and bow And do it now - now, now, noooow-... For your king ahha! Dadeedadeedadow, dadeedadow. etc. I’m the king, you’re silly, Saturnalia You are what they call a… vegetable-a King of festivities, Saturnalia He rules how he wants to. He drinks a cuppa! You got to do, Everything I tell you to You got to stoop and bow And do it now - now, now, noooow-... For your king ahha! Dadeedadeedadow, dadeedadow. etc. Word! It is absurd: This saturnalia Words that no-one knows yet, sesquipedalia Seed flowers in the outhouse, Saturnalia, The tricks that I am pullin, are marginalia You got to do, Everything he tells you to You got to stoop and bow And do it now - now, now, noooow-... For your king ahha! Dadeedadeedadow, dadeedadow. etc.
3.
Light the Yule Log 02:42
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The first toast is to odin victor over all The second toast we lift to Freyr harvest bountiful The third is to the king himself A beaker to him heft And then we pour some on the floor For the minni that have left. Oh light the yule log And bring the yule goat in Carry us the gifts all from the gods And Lay warm against our skin In the days ahead of yule Darkness comes to call Yule’s the start of brighter days Be merry one and all Drink up all the ale today And breathe the pine smell in We will pray and we shall wait For the new year to begin Oh light the yule log And bring the yule goat in Carry us the gifts all from the gods And Lay warm against our skin Gothi come forward And bless the beaker now Your thingmen have gathered Bless us thingmen now The first toast is to odin victor over all The second toast we lift to Freyr harvest bountiful The third is to the king himself A beaker to him heft And then we pour some on the floor For the minni that have left.
4.
Tomte's Riddle 04:55
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Cold is the night, and still, and strange, Stars they glitter and shimmer. All are asleep in the lonely grange Under the midnight's glimmer. On glides the moon in gulfs profound; Snow on the firs and pines around, Snow on the roofs is gleaming. All but the Tomte are dreaming. Gray he stands at the barnyard door, Gray by the drifts of white there, Looks, as he oft has looked before, Up at the moon so bright there; Looks at the woods, where the fir-trees tall. Shut the Grange in with their dusky wall; Ponders — some problem vexes, Some strange riddle perplexes — Passes his hand o'er beard and hair, Shaking his head and cap then: " Nay, that riddle's too hard, I swear, I'll ne'er guess it! Soon nor then. " But, with a habit, he soon drives out: All such thoughts of disturbing doubt, These thoughts were not what he came for, but he makes his way to that same door. So has he seen them, sire and son, Year by year in that room there Sleep first as children every one. Ah, but whence did they come there? This generation to that was heir, Blossomed, grew old, and was gone — but where? That is the hopeless, burning; Riddle forever returning. Cold is the night, and still, and strange, Stars they glitter and shimmer. All yet sleep in the lonely grange Soundly till mornin’ shall glimmer. Now sinks the moon in night profound; Snow on the firs and pines around, Snow on the roofs is gleaming. All but the Tomte are dreaming.
5.
Winter Solstice 03:04
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Winter Solstice, warm meat and bread A cauldron full, together at Yule. Winter Solstice, candles in red And white and gold, let night unfold Winter Solstice, fire on display Return of light, when spells take flight Winter Solstice, the shortest day The longest night, a Wiccan delight. The rebirth of our horned god, The newborn solstice sun. Infancy and innocence Praise him. Everyone! Look into the fire Growing in its height Deep inside this pyyyyre The start of lasting light. The waning half of the year is over. Reminding us of patience, of love. Now it is cold, but it gets warm. And it will grow, light reigns over uuuuus. The rebirth of our horned god, The newborn solstice sun. Infancy and innocence Praise him. Everyone! Look into the fire Growing in its height Deep inside this pyyyyre The start of lasting light.
6.
The Festival of Light 02:11
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The candles warm and bright And the scent of Latkes Our spirits rise high in this lovely time Decorations abound. smiling faces around Getting ready to dine, this holiday’s fine… Hanukkah Sameach Love, warmth, and candles The Festival of Lights has come again. When the blessings are said, the Hannakiah is lit Good graces are met. Then everyone sits Eight days with good food, Mishloach Manot. Wishing light and peace to your family.. Hanukkah Sameach Love, warmth, and candles The Festival of Lights has come again. Ages ago, In ancient Israel Miracle behold, We know it well Eight days it sho-one, with oil for one day alone That’s why this day we remember and pray Hanukkah Sameach Love, warmth, and candles The Festival of Lights has come again. Hanukkah Sameach Love, warmth, and candles The Festival of Lights has come again.
7.
December Celebrations 04:03
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Footprints in the snow, they lead away from home And Gather in the park See couples holding hands, winter wonderland They Gather in the dark Fires burning bright, spreading christmas light Sleigh bells ring in time Sparks become stars, as they fly far Oh How they shine! Hear the choir now, the voices of the town Lifting spirits high! Stars glow higher up, with mulled wine in my cup Laughing passerbys! cannot get enough, of all this Christmas stuff And the smell of pines! The tower tells the tii-Hi-HIIIME (insert church bells) Ding-ding dooohooong Ding… ding… dong… Ding-ding dooohooong Ding… ding… dong… Ding-ding dooohooong Ding… ding… dong… Ding… ding… dong… Cuddle up in coats, breathing out clouds afloat This one time a year, Behind a windowsill, dinnerplates are filled Festive winter cheer I see a tiny train, circling gifts again and again Festive decorations Around the Christmastree, grateful just to be December Celebrations! Hear the choir now, the voices of the town Lifting spirits high! Stars glow higher up, with mulled wine in my cup Laughing passerbys! cannot get enough, of all this Christmas stuff And the smell of pines! The tower tells the tii-Hi-HIIIME (insert church bells) Ding-ding dooohooong Ding… ding… dong… Ding-ding dooohooong Ding… ding… dong… Ding-ding dooohooong Ding… ding… dong… Ding-ding dooohooong Ding… ding… dong… Ding-ding dooohooong Ding… ding… dong… Ding-ding dooohooong Ding… ding… dong… Ding… ding… dong…
8.
Saint Lucia Bright 04:00
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When Lucia showed, she had arms full of food a candle-lit wreath, made her hands free to use with her arms full of food that she brought in the night Lucia brought us a feast and the light. Saint Lucia, Lucia - bright. They came to remove her, she would not be moved A thousand men pulling, seven oxes hooved So they stacked a pyre, around her upright Lucia brought us a feast and the light. Saint Lucia, Lucia - bright. The fire did blaze, but it took not her life the candles remind us of all of her strive the red sash; remember her courageous plight Lucia brought us a feast and the light. Saint Lucia brought us a feast and the light. Saint Lucia, Lucia - bright. Saint Lucia, Lucia - bright.

about

Christmas has borrowed many elements from other celebrations to become what it is today. I wondered just how deep that rabbit hole would go and did weeks of research to create 8 original songs about celebrations in December, hence the name. With these songs about Christmas, Saint Lucia, Yule, Chanukah, Winter Solstice and even Roman Saturnalia I hope to spread a lovely wintery Christmas spirit as well as educate people through my music about just how close together these (sometimes obscure) traditions and religions are to each other.

credits

released December 1, 2022

Featuring Sanne Carolyn, Freya Catherine, Alex Isembard, and Amy Wallace. Cover art photo by Sjoerd Schimmel

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Bart the Bard Netherlands

Welcome! My name is Bart and I am a songwriter and performer of Medieval-Fantasy themed music.

If you like medieval-fantasy themed songs, then you've come to the right channel! Support me by buying my music :)

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