Lauren's songs: The Sans Day Carol (Traditional) (Additional Pagan lyrics © 2009 by Lauren Renée Hotchkiss) (Used by permission - all rights reserved)  VERSE 1 Oh the holly bears a flower as white as the moon Deep in the forest, within its womb CHORUS Before Oak and Willow, far from the sea The first tree in the greenwood it was the holly Holly, holly The First tree in the greenwood it was the holly VERSE 2 Oh the holly bears a berry as green as the grass At the end of the summer, as the fall comes to pass [CHORUS] VERSE 3 Oh the holly bears a berry of crimson so bright To give our heart ease in the long winter night [CHORUS] VERSE 4 Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal When the seeds of the spring lie asleep in the snow [CHORUS] TAG Holly, holly The first tree in the greenwood it was the holly | Lady Dering (from a Kentish legend)
©1988 by Lauren Renée Hotchkiss (Used by permission- all rights reserved) Verse 1.
Once upon a time in a village far awayThere lived a maid whose beauty shone like a summer's day Many were her suitors, till at last a lord laid claim Soon word spread far and wide, Lady Dering would be her name Verse 2.
Grand the lords and ladies who came to the wedding feastMany was the toast raised to long life and peace Pleasant were the memories of that day that they were wed And pleasant too the plans they made for the years that lay ahead Refrain 1.
Happy were they, man and wife, through Summer and through FallAnd many was the gathering that was held at Dering Hall The rides across the moorlands, how she enjoyed them all Ah, Lady Dering Verse 3.
But then there came a winter harsh, and with it came a chillAnd late one dark and stormy night she fell ill For many days a fever raged like the storm that blew outside And as Lord Dering held her close one night, In his arms she died Verse 4.
A messenger to London sent, six roses to be foundFive for milady's coffin, one for her funeral gown The sound of distant hoof beats was heard just at first light As he returned bearing five red roses and one of white Refrain 2.
Next day to the churchyard Lady Dering's mourners cameAs Father Martin read the service in the pouring rain Lord Dering stood alone as they filled in the grave Ah, Lady Dering Verse 5.
Distant did the lord become and lonely in his griefLong the nights and dark of soul in which he found no sleep Each evening he would wait by the tomb where she'd been lain Calling on the wind, and Lady Dering was the name Verse 6.
But then one night he heard a whisper on the breeze
A sound, a shadow, softly moving through the trees There for but a moment and as quickly it did go But as the lord looked in his hand he held now a snow white rose Refrain 3.
And ever since that night every evening she would comeTo meet there her beloved when the last stroke of twelve had rung And share with him the darkness till the morning brought the sun Ah, Lady Dering Verse 7.
And even to this day when the hour's growing late
There in the little churchyard where her husband would wait You may see approaching a figure dressed in white 'tis the Lady Dering who walks again tonight Tag.
She comes tonight …She comes tonight…She comes tonight |
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