Traditional pagan yule songs, also known as winter solstice songs, are a significant part of Pagan celebrations during the winter season. Yule, derived from the Old Norse word jól, refers to the solstice and the festivities associated with it. Pagan traditions often incorporate music and singing as a means to honor the changing of the seasons and to connect with the natural world. These songs embrace the spiritual and mystical aspects of the winter season and often draw inspiration from ancient myths and folklore. They celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the return of light after the longest night of the year. Some songs may focus on specific deities associated with Yule, such as the Norse gods Odin and Freyja, or the Roman god Saturn.

Carols adapted by Karen Deal Robinson

And here is a link to a Christmas carol that I did not write, but that I wanted to include
because I've never seen it in print or on disk or on the 'Net anywhere.
The link will open my "Forgotten Songs" page in a new window.

Vencencillo

Hanover Winter Song

Yule Wreath Ritual

Willow Firesong's Pagan Yule Carols

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Note: These carols are based on traditional Christmas carols.
I have adapted the words to make them Yule carols, with a focus on
the winter solstice. I do still love and sing the real words too.
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Joy to the World Joy to the world, the new year's come. Now earth prepares for spring. Let every hearth with firelight bloom, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the earth, now gladness reigns, And birds their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. No more will cold and darkness grow, Though frost still coats the ground. We wait to hear the rivers flow As far as hope is found, As far as hope is found, As far, as far as hope is found. She heals the earth with truth and grace, And asks us all to prove The glories of Her righteousness And wonders of Her love, And wonders of Her love, And wonders, and wonders of Her love. adapted by Karen Deal Robinson

Long Moon Night (tune: Angels We Have Heard on High) Coyotes we have heard this night Singing to the silver moon, Voices raised to praise the light, Caroling a Yuletide tune. Oooh, Ooooh, Oooh, Ooooh, Long Moon Night we greet you, Oooh, Ooooh, Oooh, Ooooh, Solstice night we greet you too. Wild geese fly through silver fire, While the lake beyond them gleams, Graceful as an angel choir, Wings reflecting golden beams. Ahhh, Ahhhh, Ahhh, Ahhhh, Long Moon Night we greet you, Ahhh, Ahhhh, Ahhh, Ahhhh, Solstice night we greet you too. Ice coats every blade of grass, You and I together stand On a shore of shining glass, Watching, wondering, hand in hand. Ohhh, Ohhhh, Ohhh, Ohhhh, Long Moon Night we greet you, Ohhh, Ohhhh, Ohhh, Ohhhh, Solstice night we greet you too. Karen Deal Robinson Note: Long Moon Night is the full moon closest to the winter solstice. On that night the full moon is in the sky longer than any other night. The year I wrote this song, the full moon was on solstice night.

May Ye Be Merry, Gentlefolk (tune: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen) May ye be merry, gentlefolk, Let nothing you dismay. Although the nights are cold and dark This is the shortest day. And soon the days will grow again As springtime comes our way. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. The midnight moon rides high and clear On this the longest night, And in the frosty darkness The stars are burning bright, And though the sun is buried deep The sky is filled with light. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. adapted by Karen Deal Robinson

Silent Night Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright. Starlight gleams upon the snow. In our hands the candles glow, As we sing of peace. As we sing of peace. Silent night, holy night, We will share love's pure light. Radiant beams from every face Tell our dreams for every place. Hope again is born, Hope again is born. adapted by Karen Deal Robinson

The Holly and the Ivy Oh the holly and the ivy, Now they are both full grown, Of all the trees that are in the wood The holly bears the crown. Chorus: Oh the rising of the sun, The running of the deer. All merry folk arise and sing To greet the dawning year. Oh the holly bears a berry As red as any blood, And the ivy grows beneath the snows That blanket all the wood. Chorus Oh the holly bears a blossom As white as any flower, And the ivy turns the winter wood To a green and leafy bower. Chorus Oh the holly bears a bark Bitter as any gall, And the ivy leaves are shaped like stars In the skies above us all. Chorus Oh the holly bears a prickle As sharp as any thorn, And the ivy climbs on hills and towers To greet the Yuletide morn. Chorus adapted by Karen Deal Robinson

In the Bleak Midwinter (by my sister, Laura Deal Raeder) In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind makes moan. Earth stands hard as iron, water like a stone. Snow has fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow. In the bleak midwinter, it is ever so. Darkness now surrounds us as the nights grow long, Yet we fill the night time with our hopeful song. Winter�s cold won�t reach us here, where we light our fire, As we burn the old year on its funeral pyre. Now the new year beckons, even in this night. Soon the days will lengthen, and our hearts grow light. Hope will grow within us as we look ahead, And we see that spring wakes out of winter�s bed. Light will follow darkness, as the earth turns round, Sunlight follows moonlight, thawing frozen ground. So our lives renew with every dawning day, And with every new year, blue skies follow gray. first verse by Christina Rosetti, slightly altered Additional verses by Laura Deal Raeder 
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Sancta Lucia (singable translation)
Note: this is a traditional Swedish song. You can see the original words here. I wrote a translation that could be sung. Lucia is a Christian saint, but I expect she is the echo of something much older. The word "Lucia" means "light."
Night walks with heavy tread Round hearth and meadow. From earth the sun has fled, Woods are in shadow. Dark is our house tonight; She comes with candlelight: Sancta Lucia, Sancta Lucia. Whispering through the gloom Night is a-winging In every silent room, Murmuring, singing. See, on our threshold there, White-clad, lights in her hair: Sancta Lucia, Sancta Lucia. Darkness will soon be gone From vale and hollow. Sweetly she speaks of dawn; Gladly we follow. Day will again arise New-born on rosy skies. Sancta Lucia, Sancta Lucia. translation by Karen Deal Robinson return to contents 
Traditional pagan yule songs
I've been sent quite a few titles of great Yule songs with pagan themes after I asked for suggestions on A Bad Witch's Blog earlier this month. If you have any further nominations, please leave the details on comment below. Then, in the next few days, I'm going to post a poll of all the nominations so we can vote on our favourites.
Here are songs suggested so far, although some of them are themed albums rather than individual songs:
Jethro Tull's Ring Out Solstice Bells from the album Songs from the Wood
The Dolmen's Bringing the Outside In
Loreena McKennitt's To Drive The Cold Winter Away 
The traditional carol The Holly and The Ivy
Mother Tongue's themed album This Winter's Night
Hawkwind's recent album Yule Ritual 
Emerald Rose's Santa Claus is Pagan, Too
I have also been sent details of a few websites offering pagan words to traditional Christmas carols. Although I don't really feel these qualify as original pagan Yule songs for my poll, they are highly entertaining.
I've posted some links at end, but here is one of my favourites:

Hark The New Age Pagans Sing!
Words by Coeis and Morrigant to the tune of Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Hark the New Age Pagans Sing,
Glory to the Holly King,
Peace on Earth and mercy mild,
God and Goddess reconciled,
Hear us now as we proclaim,
We have risen from the flames,
Our ancient Craft now we reclaim,
In the God and Goddess' names
Hark the New Age Pagans Sing,
Glory to the Holly King!
Herne by highest love adored,
Herne the ever-reborn Lord,
At all times behold Him come,
Offspring of the Holy One,
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see,
Hail Incarnate Deity!
Our ancient Craft now we reclaim,
in the God and Goddess' names
Hark the New Age Pagans Sing,
Glory to the Holly King!
 
Celtic Yule Music | Popnable
Explore list of Celtic Yule Music. Discover music. Celtic Yule Music playlist. Some of my favorite celtic originals Fun yuletime songs with a pagan theme. Music for the xmas tide. Pagan pleasant song for the holiday season. Pagan xmas music list.
Related to: yule music Tuesday, 09/01/2024, 265 views

 Some songs may focus on specific deities associated with Yule, such as the Norse gods Odin and Freyja, or the Roman god Saturn.
The melodies of pagan yule songs can vary widely based on cultural and regional traditions. They may have a haunting and ethereal quality, incorporating traditional instruments like drums, flutes, and bells.

Celtic Music ( 1 )
Some of my favourite celtic originals
The video "Celtic Winter – Magical Christmas | Celtic Christmas Music | Beautiful Celtic Music" has been published on January 18 2018.
The video "Celtic relaxing music to celebrate yule - Celtic Harp (native european pagan music)" has been published on December 24 2019.
The video "Outlander Music & Ambience | Beautiful Soundscapes with Scottish Music" has been published on August 13 2020.
The video "Celtic Woman - Green Sleeves - Official Holiday Yule Log" has been published on December 5 2019.
The video "Les 12 nuits de Yule - Introduction" has been published on December 15 2020.
The video "Music - Madonna" has been published on October 27 2009.
The video "This Is Music - The Verve" has been published on February 28 2009.






 The lyrics often reflect themes of hope, renewal, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. They may also contain references to elements of nature, such as the changing seasons, animals, and plants.
One well-known pagan yule song is "The Holly and the Ivy," which has roots in English folk traditions. This song, often sung in a round or as a chorus, honors the symbolism of the holly and ivy during the winter season. The holly represents the masculine divine, while the ivy represents the feminine divine. Another popular song is "The Wheel of the Year," which highlights the cyclical nature of life and the turning of the seasons.
Participating in the singing of traditional pagan yule songs is seen as a way to connect with nature, honor the ancient traditions of one's ancestors, and create a sense of community. It allows individuals to express their spirituality and celebrate the natural rhythms of the earth. The songs help to set a festive mood and evoke a sense of warmth and unity during the cold winter months.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in pagan yule songs as people embrace alternative spiritual practices and seek a connection to nature and the earth. Local pagan communities may organize gatherings and rituals where these songs are sung together, creating a powerful and joyful experience.
Overall, traditional pagan yule songs are a vital component of Pagan celebrations during the winter solstice. They provide a means to honor and connect with the change of seasons, express spirituality, and foster community. Through their melodies and lyrics, these songs evoke a sense of wonder, reverence, and celebration for the natural world and the cycles of life..


Reviews for "Traditional Pagan Yule Songs: A Connection to Ancient Rituals and Traditions"

1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to listen to this album of traditional pagan yule songs, but I was very disappointed. The songs all sounded so similar and there was no variety in the melodies or instrumentation. I found myself getting bored halfway through the album and couldn't wait for it to be over. The vocals were also quite monotonous and didn't capture the magic and excitement of the yuletide season. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wishing I had chosen a different album to listen to.
2. John - 1/5 - I couldn't stand this album of traditional pagan yule songs. The music was so dissonant and unpleasant to listen to. I understand that pagan music might have a unique sound, but this was just too harsh for my taste. The lyrics were also quite obscure and hard to understand, making it difficult to connect with the songs on any level. I tried giving it a chance, but I had to turn it off after just a few tracks. Definitely not my cup of tea.
3. Emily - 3/5 - While I appreciate the effort to preserve traditional pagan yule songs, I found this album to be a bit lackluster. The instrumentation was fine, but the songs didn't offer anything new or exciting. I was hoping for a more modern interpretation or a creative twist, but it felt like a run-of-the-mill compilation of folk songs. It lacked the passion and energy that I associate with pagan music. Overall, it's an okay album if you're looking for some background music, but it didn't make a lasting impression on me.
4. Michael - 2/5 - This album of traditional pagan yule songs just didn't resonate with me. The songs felt repetitive and lacked any sort of dynamic or emotional range. I was expecting something more enchanting and festive, but I found myself feeling quite indifferent towards the music. Additionally, the production quality seemed a bit lacking, making it hard to fully enjoy the songs. While I appreciate the intent behind this album, it just didn't deliver the enchantment I was hoping for.
 



The Evolution of Traditional Pagan Yule Songs: From Ancient Chants to Modern Tunes