Solstice songs (ie non-Christian)

[Calidris]

I am not really Pagan, but my DD seems to be developing in that direction (she is almost 5). I am trying to introduce her to traditional Christmas carols, but she is annoyed by the presence of Jesus in all of them (long story, but in summary she resents Jesus for taking people away from the old gods, and she came up with most of it herself, I am agnostic/atheist and only introduced the idea of various gods to her about a year ago).

Anyway are there nice songs about Yule/Solstice that I can teach her? Any actual old ones (I guess not, most of those would have been lost/replaced long ago). Anything traditional sounding?

[doubledutch]

what about o tannenbaum?

i also doubt your 5yo would be opposed to a made-up song. you can use an existing melody you both know, or make that up too. something about light in the dark, a candle, a spark, keeping hope on the longest night, waiting for the newborn light, at the moment of the sun's rebirth, peace and love will fill the earth . . . you get the picture. just try it!

eta: i like to rhyme all the time, lol.

[GoldBerry]

How about:
"Deck the Halls"
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
“Here We Come A-Wassailing”
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
“It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
“White Christmas”
"Winter Wonderland"

Originally Posted by Calidris

she is annoyed by the presence of Jesus in all of them (long story, but in summary she resents Jesus for taking people away from the old gods, and she came up with most of it herself, I am agnostic/atheist and only introduced the idea of various gods to her about a year ago).

Wow- and she is 4?! It's great that she has such a supportive mama as your self.

[Teenytoona]

IMO, there isn't much out there. Deck the Halls is the only one that doesn't have the word Christmas throughout the song. In High school we sang a lovely suite about snow ( I think it was called "Snow: a Winter Suite") that I wish was a recorded set of songs. I'm partial to Solstice things that celebrate Winter/night rather than looking to the return of summer (live in the now, KWIM) and this song (the first of the suite) fits that nicely. All the songs sort of had a different spin to them, much the way some snow is pretty and some makes for difficulty.
The first song, called:

The Winter Queen

A dancing figure, a gifted lass
creates a ballet of silver and glass,
Sparkling icicles like diamond jewels
Cast clear reflections in crystal pools.

Ivory trees, frozen lace,
silver seas, classic grace,
crisp afternoons, sapphire nights,
indigo moons, alabaster whites.

Tranquil lakes with marble sheen,
Brightly enchanting the Winter Queen.

The Winter Queen (echo: "snow")
The Winter Queen (echo: "snow")
The Winter Queen (echo: "snow")

[zinemama]

Check out the CDs at the Revels website

http://store.revels.org/cds.aspx

Revels is technically a Christmas celebration, but the music is very much drawn from "that mystical time when Christian celebration mingled with the older pagan rituals of winter solstice." The carols are all about wassail and hunting the wren etc. Not a whole lot of baby Jesus type stuff.

Plus, it's just plain gorgeous.

[Twinklefae]

Circle Round and Sing has two:
http://www.amazon.com/Circle-Round-S...9122174&sr=8-1

Also, if you enjoy the original tunes, try typing in Pagan Carols, there are many that have been "reworded" and taken on a pagan twist.

http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Carols/carols.html is an example

[abomgardner417]

Subbing

[Calidris]

Thanks for all the ideas

Originally Posted by Salvia

Wow- and she is 4?! It's great that she has such a supportive mama as your self.

thanks : I have to admit, I find that natural faith strange (not in a bad way, just unexpected). I had always assumed faith was mainly a learned thing. It has been interesting to watch her

[Arwyn]

Originally Posted by zinemama

Check out the CDs at the Revels website

http://store.revels.org/cds.aspx

Revels is technically a Christmas celebration, but the music is very much drawn from "that mystical time when Christian celebration mingled with the older pagan rituals of winter solstice." The carols are all about wassail and hunting the wren etc. Not a whole lot of baby Jesus type stuff.

Plus, it's just plain gorgeous.

I SO just found my mom's Christmas present! Thank you!

(/me wants one too...!)

[kapatasana]

This might be a little more Christian than what you're looking for, but I really love this one. It does mention Jesus, but in a more spiritual inclusive way (i.e. different than most carols).



It’s winter and light is alive on the earth
Wake up! It’s Christmas morning
Starlight and firelight and sunlight give birth
Wake up! The Christ-child’s a-borning
CHORUS
He’s man and He’s woman, He’s old and He’s young
He’s Buddhist and Christian and Jew
She’s wealthy, She’s poor, She’s black and She’s white
And, oh yes, the Christ-child is you
Sisters and brothers, whatever your sleep
Wake up! It’s Christmas morning
Bring with you dreams for the daylight to keep
Wake up! the Christ-child’s a-borning
REPEAT CHORUS
Jesus was good and He lived long ago
Wake up! It’s Christmas morning
You are good, too, and are living now, so
Wake up! the Christ-child’s a-borning