This section contains a selection of carols for Yule. They were originally published in Green Egg. In some cases, they are adapted from the Christian version; in others, little or no adaptation is needed -- the Christians "adapted" the original Pagan versions for their use.
Ye children all of Mother Earth,
Join hands and circle around.
To celebrate the Solstice night
When our lost Lord is found.
Rejoice, the year has begun again,
The Sun blesses skies up above;
So share the season together now
In everlasting love!
Joy to the world, the light has come,
Let earth receive her lord.
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing. (3x)
Welcome our Lord, who brings us Light,
Our lady gives him birth.
His living light, to warm our hearts,
And wake the sleeping earth. (3x)
Light we the fires to greet our lord
Our light, our life, our lord.
Let every voice, sing holy praise
And heaven and nature sing. (3x)
Snow lies deep upon the earth
Still our voices warmly sing
Heralding the glorious birth
Celebrate the Winter Child!
Chorus:
Glo - o - ria!
In excelsis Deo!
Glo - o - ria!
In excelsis Dea!
Our triumphant voices claim
Joy and hope and love renewed,
And our lady's glad refrain
Answers winter's solitude.
(Chorus)
Now the turning of the year
Of the greater Turning sings
Passing age of cold and fear
Soon our golden summer brings.
(Chorus)
Brothers, sisters, come and sing
Glory to the new-born King!
Gardens peaceful, forests wild
Celebrate the winter child!
Now the time of glowing starts!
Joyful hands and joyful hearts!
Cheer the Yule log as it burns!
Once again, the Sun returns!
Brothers, sisters, singing come
Glory to the newborn Sun
Through the wind and dark of night
Celebrate the coming light!
Sun’s glad rays through fear’s cold
Life through Death the Wheel now turns;
Gather ’round Yule log and tree
Celebrate Life's mystery.
Oh, come, all ye faithful
Gather 'round the Yule fire
Oh, come ye, oh, come ye,
To call the sun!
Fires within us
Call the fire above us;
-------
Oh, come, let us invoke him!
Oh, come, let us invoke him!
Oh, come, let us invoke him!
Our Lord, the sun!
Yea, lord, we greet thee!
Born again at Yuletide!
Yule fires and candles' flame
Are lighted for you!
Come to your children,
Calling for your blessing!
-------
Oh, come, let us invoke him!
Oh, come, let us invoke him!
Oh, come, let us invoke him!
Our Lord, the sun!
Gods rest ye, merry Pagan folk
Let nothing you dismay:
Remember that the Sun returns
Upon this Solstice Day!
The growing dark is ended now
And Spring is on its way.
-------
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!
The winter's worst still lies ahead
Fierce tempest, snow and rain!
Beneath the blanket on the ground
The spark of life remains!
The Sun's warm rays caress the seeds
To raise Life's songs again!
-------
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!
Within the blesséd apple lies
The promise of the Queen
For from this pentacle shall rise
The orchards fresh and green
The Earth shall blossom once again
The air be sweet and clean!
-------
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!
Silent night, Solstice night:
All is calm, all is bright;
Nature slumbers in forest and glen
Till in Springtime She wakes again.
Sleeping spirits grow strong,
Sleeping spirits grow strong!
Silent night, Solstice night:
Silver moon shining bright;
Snowfall blankets the slumbering Earth
Yule fires welcome the Sun's rebirth.
Hark, the Light is reborn,
Hark, the Light is reborn!
Silent night, Solstice night:
Quiet rest till the Light;
Turning ever the rolling wheel
Brings the Winter to comfort and heal;
Rest your spirit in peace,
Rest your spirit in peace!
What child is this who rises now
From his mother's womb returning?
Her children greet most joyously
The sight of his face's bright burning.
Chorus:
This, this is the sun-child born
The radiant one, the light returned,
Born to the world again
This child, the promise of Summer.
His growing light returns the warmth
That darkness stole from out the Earth
To bud the leaves and blossoms bring
To signal Spring's rebirth.
(Chorus)
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa-la-la-la-la - la-la-la-la!
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa-la-la-la-la - la-la-la-la!
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa-la-la-la-la - la-la-la-la!
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol,
Fa-la-la-la-la - la-la-la-la!