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Summoning the Sun

from Summon the Sun by Crosscurrents Music

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This piece for spoken chorus circles the world of midwinter customs around the winter solstice season.

lyrics

Room, room, brave gallants all
and give us room to rhyme!
We come to show activity
this winter solstice time.
The roots of our great festival
lie hidden at the base
Of Yggdrasil, the World Tree
and these for you I'll trace.

The Haida have a trickster
shapeshifter full of fun
‘Twas Raven fooled the Old Ones
and stole us back the sun.

At Hanukkah the lights do blaze
for eight nights and a day
And Maccabees do celebrate
midwinter victory.

Saint George shall come and die by swords
that circle round his neck
As winter dies, so shall he die,
and then to life like spring.

In Sweden, Saint Lucia brings
her little Christmas Jul,
And Saturnalia brings from Rome
the ancient Feast of Fools.

A star shone over Bethlehem
to guide the wise men three
And in Japan it's time to cut
your Kadomatsu tree.

In the pueblos of New Mexico
they dance the matachin
And light the luminaria
to guide the Wise Men in.

For African-Americans,
it's Kwanzaa time tonight
For seven spirit principles
to show the inner light.

For the Iroquois, the snow-snakes
are the game of winter feasts
Where Big Heads go a-visiting
to banish winter's beast.

In northern lands around the world
the fires are alight
To drive away the darkness
on this the longest night.

We bid you carol with us,
sing wassail every one
To welcome in the New Year
and summon up the sun!

credits

from Summon the Sun, released December 2, 2020

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about

Crosscurrents Music Boston, Massachusetts

Lynn Noel brings traditional song and heritage arts online to create community. Lynn has a voice of striking clarity and power, equally at home in rhythmic chanteys and flowing ballads.

Lynn is a respected song session leader on both sides of the Atlantic and the producer and host of the Mermaid's Tavern online folk club. She is currently Program Chair of the New England Folk Festival (NEFFA).
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