Pagan Music Sampler
Oldest Complete Written Melody in History (Greek, 50 CE)
"Epitaph of Seikilos" - a new arrangement of the oldest complete written melody so far found in history for ancient Greek lyres and vocals. Its is on a columnar memorial stone (cippus) now located at the National Museum of Denmark.
Druid Akkadian Logos And "Make Your Own Kind Of Music" 1969
(April 18, 2024) We are all interconnected. Ancient tradition imagined the ideal state of this interconnection as an eternal harmony and acceptance of individual free spirits. In the beginning was the Logos.
From the Druid Akkadian dictionary:
LG: [Akkadian lagu] tune, logos, attunements (noun), to attune, to tune in, to harmonize (verb) – a metaphor for the emotional network as means of emotional/motional/spiritual communication based upon the activation of conscious sensations. It could be heard and choked off like a guitar string. The philosopher Heraclitus inserted this Akkadian word into Greek as “logos.” It is one of the Greek components of the mind.
Water, Fire, and Smoke (1987)
Song written by Betsy Rose in 1987 and appears in her 2011 album In My Two Hands. Her website is at: https://www.betsyrosemusic.org/lyrics/
Song sung by Grace Griffith. Her YouTube site is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJcAoBlspKX1WAqs4Akw6xg
Lyrics
It’s been a long journey to come to this placeI’ve traveled in time and I’ve traveled in spaceTraveled in circles, and come face to faceWith the water, fire and smoke.I have pondered and worried, tightened the ropeFeasted on sorrow and starved out my hopeNow I come like a lover my heart in my throatGive me water, fire and smoke
Oh it’s water for cleansing my eyes and my eatsFire the transformer of sorrows and fearsSmoke for the ancestors, drawing them nearWith the water, fire and smoke
So run from the churchyard, the word and the crossRun to the forest, to the rivers and rocksYou will find the green alter deep in the mossYou’ll find water, fire and smoke
Ancient the spirits of rocks, trees and windAncient the rites of the green sacramentLong before judgment, atonement and sinThere was water, fire and smoke.
Now I lay down my burden, the weight of my yearsGods I have worshipped, and causes held dearAnd who will I be when they all disappearInto water, fire and smoke.
I have knelt in the ashes, in peace may I riseEmpty of knowing and full of surpriseClothed all in silence, a baby baptizedIn water, fire and smoke.
Run from the churchyard, the word and the crossRun to the forest, to the rivers and rocksYou will find the green alter deep in the mossYou’ll find water, fire and smoke
All Souls Night (1991)
Music by Loreena McKennitt from album "The Visit." Official artist YouTube channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2gpkWwgxeGvlg5ThMB87w
Lyrics:
Bonfires dot the rolling hillsFigures dance around and aroundTo drums that pulse out echoes of darknessMoving to the pagan soundSomewhere in a hidden memoryImages float before my eyesOf fragrant nights of straw and of bonfiresAnd dancing till the next sunriseI can see lights in the distanceTrembling in the dark cloak of nightCandles and lanterns are dancing, dancingA waltz on All Souls NightFigures of cornstalks bend in the shadowsHeld up tall as the flames leap highThe green knight holds the holly bushTo mark where the old year passes byI can see the lights in the distanceTrembling in the dark cloak of nightCandles and lanterns are dancing, dancingA waltz on All Souls Night
Bonfires dot the rolling hillsidesFigures dance around and aroundTo drums that pulse out echoes of darknessAnd moving to the pagan soundStanding on the bridge that crossesThe river that goes out to the seaThe wind is full of a thousand voicesThey pass by the bridge and meI can see the lights in the distanceTrembling in the dark cloak of nightCandles and lanterns are dancing, dancingA waltz on All Souls Night
I can see the lights in the distanceTrembling in the dark cloak of nightCandles and lanterns are dancing, dancingA waltz on All Souls Night
Colors of the Wind (1995)
Song sung by Judy Kuhn in Disney movie Pocahontas.
Lyrics
You think I'm an ignorant savageAnd you've been so many placesI guess it must be soBut still I cannot seeIf the savage one is meHow can there be so much that you don't knowYou don't knowYou think you own whatever land you land onThe Earth is just a dead thing you can claimBut I know every rock and tree and creatureHas a life, has a spirit, has a name
You think the only people who are peopleAre the people who look and think like youBut if you walk the footsteps of a strangerYou'll learn things you never knew, you never knew
Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moonOr asked the grinning bobcat why he grinnedCan you sing with all the voices of the mountainCan you paint with all the colors of the windCan you paint with all the colors of the wind
Come run the hidden pine trails of the forestCome taste the sun sweet berries of the EarthCome roll in all the riches all around youAnd for once, never wonder what they're worth
The rainstorm and the river are my brothersThe heron and the otter are my friendsAnd we are all connected to each otherIn a circle, in a hoop that never ends
How high does the sycamore grow?If you cut it down, then you'll never knowAnd you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moonFor whether we are white or copper skinnedWe need to sing with all the voices of the mountainWe need to paint with all the colors of the wind
You can own the Earth and stillAll you'll own is Earth untilYou can paint with all the colors of the wind
Under a Violet Moon (1999)
Music by Blackmore's Knight from album "Under a Violet Moon). Official artist YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCndjGZ5B1yp1Azd2UH52HVw
Lyrics
Dancing to the feel of the drumLeave this world behindWe'll have a drink and toast to ourselvesUnder a Violet MoonTudor Rose with her hair in curlsWill make you turn and stareTry to steal a kiss at the bridgeUnder a Violet Moon
Raise your hats and your glasses tooWe will dance the whole night throughWe're going back to a time we knewUnder a Violet Moon
Cheers to the Knights and days of oldthe beggars and the thievesliving in an enchanted woodUnder a Violet Moon
Fortuneteller what do you seeFuture in a cardShare your secrets, tell them to meUnder a Violet Moon
Raise your hats and your glasses tooWe will dance the whole night throughWe're going back to a time we knewUnder a Violet Moon
Raise your hats and your glasses tooWe will dance the whole night throughWe're going back to a time we knewUnder a Violet Moon
Close your eyes and lose yourselfIn a medieval moodTaste the treasures and sing the tunesUnder a Violet Moon
Tis my delight on a shiny nightThe seasons of a yearTo keep the lanterns burning brightUnder a Violet Moon
Raise your hats and your glasses tooWe will dance the whole night throughWe're going back to a time we knewUnder a Violet Moon
Raise your hats and your glasses tooWe will dance the whole night throughWe're going back to a time we knewUnder a Violet Moon
The Grey Havens (2006)
Music by David Arkenstone. Official artist YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuVV3dzZRRwC98-FftEBSng
I Hear You Calling (2006)
Music by Chalice and Blade from album "Wild Hunt." Artist information at: https://www.last.fm/music/Chalice+And+Blade/+wiki
Invocation - Dance of the Wild Fairies (2008)
Music by Gary Stadler & Wendy Rule from album Deep Within A Faërie Forest. Official artist YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPwpGLHevax-vgs7q57kIzA
Lyrics
I wandered alone to the forest one night Led by a music strange to hear And followed the glow of a shimmering light That seemed to grow distant as I grew near The woods were alive with the fragrance of spring But winter was everywhere clear to see The moon shone bright and a bat on the wing Beckoned me closer and said to me: "A clearing close in the forest you'll find A fabulous banquet, a fairy ball If you close your eyes and you open your mind The veil disappears and you'll see it all"
Come and play as the wild fairies play. In a magical circle, a fairy ring You won't want to leave and forever you'll stay Where the vision is bright as spring Come and dance the wild fairy dance Spin in a circle as fast as light Once you begin you are caught in a trance And the world can grow old in a single night
When I closed my eyes to the shimmering light All memory faded and I could see That a mushroom circle of red and white And myriad fairies surrounded me Beyond all space and beyond all time On gossamer wings did the fairies fly With a joy unknown to a music sublime The fairies danced, and there danced I Come and play as the wild fairies play In a magical circle, a fairy ring You won't want to leave and forever you'll stay Where the vision is bright as spring Come and dance the wild fairy dance Spin in a circle as fast as light Once you begin you are caught in a trance And the world can grow old in a single night
Those who seek us surely find us See the trail we leave behind us Some bewildered, some enlightened Some are brave, some are frightened Are we kind or are we vicious? Nectar poison or delicious? That, my sweet, you will discover Fairy foe, or fairy lover" Come and play as the wild fairies play In a magical circle, a fairy ring You won't want to leave and forever you'll stay Where the vision is bright as spring
Come and dance the wild fairy dance Spin in a circle as fast as light Once you begin you are caught in a trance And the world can grow old in a single night I wandered alone to the forest one night Led by a music strange and clear If you happen to pass when the moon is bright And the veils are thin you will find me here If the veils are thin you will find me here Under moonlight's misted veil Find the dream on which we sail Stillness calls you far away Where the nature spirits play Down from the trees Down from the sky Into the dark forest we fly Up from the earth Under the ground Deep in the wild forest we're found Deep in midnight's secret song
Find the place where you belong In the forest of delight Light and darkness both shine bright Down from the trees Down from the sky Into the dark forest we fly Up from the earth Under the ground Deep in the wild forest we're found Within the flower Under the leaf Hollow of tree Hidden beneath Spirit of fire Spirit of air Water and earth Calling you there
I wandered alone to the forest one night Led by a music strange to hear And followed the glow of a shimmering light That seemed to grow distant as I grew near The woods were alive with the fragrance of spring But winter was everywhere clear to see The moon shone bright and a bat on the wing Beckoned me closer and said to me: "A clearing close in the forest you'll find A fabulous banquet, a fairy ball If you close your eyes and you open your mind The veil disappears and you'll see it all"
Come and play as the wild fairies play In a magical circle, a fairy ring You won't want to leave and forever you'll stay Where the vision is bright as spring Come and dance the wild fairy dance Spin in a circle as fast as light Once you begin you are caught in a trance And the world can grow old in a single night
When I closed my eyes to the shimmering light All memory faded and I could see That a mushroom circle of red and white And myriad fairies surrounded me Beyond all space and beyond all time On gossamer wings did the fairies fly With a joy unknown to a music sublime The fairies danced, and there danced I Come and play as the wild fairies play In a magical circle, a fairy ring You won't want to leave and forever you'll stay Where the vision is bright as spring
Come and dance the wild fairy dance. Spin in a circle as fast as light Once you begin you are caught in a trance And the world can grow old in a single night "Those who seek us surely find us See the trail we leave behind us Some bewildered, some enlightened Some are brave, some are frightened Are we kind or are we vicious? Nectar poison or delicious? That, my sweet, you will discover Fairy foe, or fairy lover"
Come and play as the wild fairies play In a magical circle, a fairy ring You won't want to leave and forever you'll stay Where the vision is bright as spring Come and dance the wild fairy dance Spin in a circle as fast as light Once you begin you are caught in a trance And the world can grow old in a single night.
I wandered alone to the forest one night Led by a music strange and clear If you happen to pass when the moon is bright And the veils are thin you will find me here If the veils are thin you will find me here Under moonlight's misted veil Find the dream on which we sail Stillness calls you far away Where the nature spirits play Down from the trees Down from the sky Into the dark forest we fly Up from the earth. Under the ground Deep in the wild forest we're found Deep in midnight's secret song Find the place where you belong In the forest of delight Light and darkness both shine bright Down from the trees Down from the sky Into the dark forest we fly Up from the earth Under the ground Deep in the wild forest we're found Within the flower Under the leaf Hollow of tree Hidden beneath Spirit of fire Spirit of air Water and earth Calling you there
Freya, Shakti (2011)
Music by Emerald Rose from album Verdant. Official artist YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFS2LY9wPnE0Cz357Pz7tTw
Circle within a Circle (2011)
Written by Rick Hamouris and sung by Kate West and the harth of Hekate. This is a common chant around a bonfire at Pagan summer camping festivals
Ceridwen and Taliesin (2012)
Music by Damh the Bard from album "Antlered Crown and Standing Stone." Official artist YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRv575ICbkJABaSdadl1Juw
The story of Ceridwen and Taliesin in one of the earliest Celtic stories which has been preserved in rough outline. It is the story of the transformation of Taliesin (then called Gwion) from a simple boy to a wise bard via his transformation into many animal forms while being chased. Disney in their animated movie Sword in the Stone was inspired by this tale and used the transformations to teach wisdom to the future king Arthur. The Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids (OBOD) uses this story to introduce initiates to their version of nature magic. Awen is the ancient Celtic word for the magical power of inspiration.
Lyrics
From the mist of Tegid's shore, A lady looks upon her son, Like many times before, A she touches his face, Fingers wet with the tears falling. Her daughter stands beside her, The fairest in the land, How her son became so cursed, She cannot understand. But this mother's love is a strong, As her heart is beating, And she calls to the Earth, And the Earth hears her calling. High up in the mountains, Dinas Afferaon stands tall, All magic and all mysteries, Are held within these walls, So she walks to the door, As she does the door it opens, Teach to me the mystery, Of the Cauldron's Brew, Let Utter Darkness give way to light, And be reborn anew, Then the Awen will shine, From the brow of the Eagle of the Sea, And all will know his name, From this land to the People of the Sidhe. The lady sets the cauldron's fire, Tended by the hand, Of Gwion Bach the innocent, And Morda the blind man, Who reached out his hand, Place more wood, Keep the cauldron boiling. Then Morda he fell asleep, Alas he din't see, Wood upon wood was added, The inferno was the key, To unlock the doors, Of the Awen's greatest mystery, Three drops, burning skin, And it's Gwion how gained the power to see. The cauldron cracks, the poison seeps, Slowly across the land, To kill the horses of Garanhir, by the lakeshore where they stand, Drinking and not knowing their fate, As a hare runs fast across the land. Ceridwen, Ceridwen, Lady of the Cauldron, Come see what they have done! Stolen your Cauldron's power, And betrayed your only son! Eyes wide, lips curl, Anger on your face! Change your shape now lady! Be the hound, begin the chase! I shall be a running hair, With sorrow and with mickle care, Then I shall be a greyhound bitch, And tear you from your skin! Then I shall be a flying wren, The King of Birds, the King of Men, Then I shall be a falcon grey, And tear you from your skin! Then I shall be a salmon sleek, Darting through a shallow creek, Then I shall be an otter bitch, And rest you from your skin! I shall be a grain beneath the sun, And you will never know which one, Then I shall be a great black hen, And take you deep within! Now you may be forgiven to think, My tale is over and down, But nine moons later, She gave birth to a son, That she wanted to kill, But she placed in a coracle on the sea. Garanhir's salmon weir, A catch was guaranteed, But on this day a baby boy, Cried out to be freed, A radiant brow, Shining bright for all to plainly see. Taliesin is your name, The greatest Bard that this land will ever see!
Pagan Born (2014)
Music by Incubus Sukkubus from album Wytches. Official artist YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/INKUBUSSUKKUBUSOFFICIAL/featured
Lyrics
A rhythm stirs within the earththat tells all nature of a birth.Return to light, return to lifeand lead us from this darkest night.God of the Sun, now have you comeYour reign of light has just begunThough all must die to be rebornReturn now on a bright new mornMy Lord applauds my Pagan waysand in my heart he'll always stayPagan born!
In winter's cloak we've sheltered longwaiting for spring's sweet song.Tho' warmth we found beside the hearth,its glow could not break through the dark.I look toward the fiery skyand know that your return is nigh.Though I shall fall as the harvest corn,tis my
Walpurgisnacht also Called Beltane or Mayday (2014)
Music by Faun from album Luna. Official artist site at: https://faune.de/en/
Full music video is blocked without added content. See original at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLgM1QJ3S_I
Lyrics
Soar into the evening sky. Tonight is the way of magic. Wild people and Lilith's art secretly drive the lurking winds. Let's roam to the fires. Reach for the stars. Whisper good and bad word. Today let's carry on and on.
Our dreams will sound in the pastures and winds will sing our songs. Let's jump over the fire with the sparks on Walpurgis Night!
Hear the violins, hear the violins (Hey yo) The fires are lit! (Hey yo) Follow the dance, follow the dance on the Walpurgis night.
Fierce violins game our nightly 'round dance and we kick wild and free this old magic. Once formed into a large circle let's dance this way until the first morning light breaks our dream trance.
Our dreams will sound in the pastures and the winds will sing our songs. Let's jump over the fire with the sparks on Walpurgis Night!
Hear the violins, hear the violins (Hey yo). The fires are lit! (Hey yo). Follow the dance, follow the dance on the Walpurgis night.
Hear the violins, hear the violins (Hey yo) The fires are lit! (Hey yo). Follow the dance, follow the dance on the Walpurgis night.
Pagan Fire with the Dragon Ritual Drummers (2014)
Drumming by the Dragon Fire Drummers who start out with the song Zulu Dawn. This is a large but otherwise typical Summer Pagan festival night around the central ritual fire.
Voice of the Forest (2015)
Music by BrunuhVille. Official artist YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZg2-TZBGrwRbuettVf10uw
Tír na nÓg (2016)
Music by from album Destiny. Official artist YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCay9vtYnfg1CEX96rXWG5Qg
English Lyrics
Sha ta co-ti os cum-na ridh naSha ta co-ti o nu-ga Tír na nÓgSha ta co-ti os cum-na-ridh naNu-ga Tír na nÓgCome my love our world's would partThe gods will guide us across the darkCome with me and be mine my loveStay and break my heart
From the shores through the ancient mistYou bear the mark of my elven kissClear the way, I will take you homeTo eternal bliss
Tír na nÓg oh, come beyond the ancient fogTír na nÓg oh, come with me to Tír na nÓgFar away from the land you knewThe dawn of day reaches out to youThough it feels like a fairy taleAll of this is true
Run with me, have a look aroundWe build our life of a sacred groundCome my love, our world's may partWe'll be safe and sound
Tír na nÓg oh, come beyond the ancient fogTír na nÓg oh, come with me to Tír na nÓgTime won't follow the path we cameThe world you left, it forgot your nameStay with me and be mine my loveSpare my heart the pain Tír na nÓg oh, come beyond the ancient fogTír na nÓg oh, come with me to Tír na nÓgCome with me to Tír na nÓg
Fylgija Ear in Album LIFA by Heilung (2017)
Ecumenical Hymn - O God, Our Help in Ages Past (1719)
Words by Isaac Watts 1719. This originally Christian hymn has many allusions to nature and does not insert any dogmatic apocalyptic ideology. "God" is a personification of all the divine powers.