A new Shire Yule Carol
Every year I try to think up at least one new carol that the hobbits of the Shire like to sing. Here's this year's offering.
I am imagining that this is very popular in Michel Delving; the first song to be sung at the lighting of a giant Yule bonfire in the town green there. It's sung once straight through, and then as a two part round, with the lads singing the first part and the lasses the second. I do have a little tune for it in my head, but you can imagine it to any favorite tune that it might scan to.
The Westfarthing Yule-song
The day is short; the night is long.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The dark is deep, but light is strong.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The Yule log burns bright!
Candles a-light!
Stars in the night!
Come Dawn all is right!
The day is short; the night is long.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The dark is deep, but light is strong.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The bells they do ring!
The children do sing!
Sparrows a-wing!
Soon will come spring!
The day is short; the night is long.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The dark is deep, but light is strong.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
Oh, Winter will shrink,
Whatever we think!
Before we can blink--
So let's have a drink!
The day is short; the night is long.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The dark is deep, but light is strong.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
I am imagining that this is very popular in Michel Delving; the first song to be sung at the lighting of a giant Yule bonfire in the town green there. It's sung once straight through, and then as a two part round, with the lads singing the first part and the lasses the second. I do have a little tune for it in my head, but you can imagine it to any favorite tune that it might scan to.
The Westfarthing Yule-song
The day is short; the night is long.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The dark is deep, but light is strong.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The Yule log burns bright!
Candles a-light!
Stars in the night!
Come Dawn all is right!
The day is short; the night is long.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The dark is deep, but light is strong.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The bells they do ring!
The children do sing!
Sparrows a-wing!
Soon will come spring!
The day is short; the night is long.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The dark is deep, but light is strong.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
Oh, Winter will shrink,
Whatever we think!
Before we can blink--
So let's have a drink!
The day is short; the night is long.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!
The dark is deep, but light is strong.
Merrily, merrily sing this song!