The Solstice Feast
By Hoskuld Gunnarsson (Mark Cook)
Every year when the snows draw near
And the frost is on the vine
And the sun has fled to its wintry bed
We pull out the honey wine.
Grab your hat and coat; take your horse or boat
To gather at the hall, and a celebration we shall have
With fair folk one and all!
(Chorus)
Oh, Good friends are here, drinking mead and beer
And of joy there is good measure.
Let Yule bells ring, and this song we'll sing
For our blessings that we treasure.
The old year's dead and a new one's head
Has arisen to spread good cheer.
So let’s dance and sing, and good food we'll bring
And a Solstice feast have here.
Bring the table out, set the food about
For the dishes are a' plenty,
Fill your cup and plate, hurry don't be late,
Pile up enough for twenty!
And the sweets at last, that we have amassed,
Are enough to make one burst,
With our bellies round, from this feast renowned,
We shall drink to quench our thirst.
(Chorus)
The Yule log's lit in its fiery pit
And good wishes now are made
And the flames grow high, reaching towards the sky
And the chilling air does fade.
And the horn goes 'round to the joyous sound
Of voices singing praise,
To the Gods of Earth, and the Gods of Sky
And our kin from elder-days.
(Chorus)