My Pagan SongBook - ChantBook - SpellBook
All song and chant lyrics and music by Linda Demissy, unless otherwise noted.
Pagan Section 
Go to English Chants
Aller Aux Chants en Francais
Go to Songs
I've notated the first notes on some chants, to help you get started.
A musical instrument, iPhone or Android phone can help with that, using a piano app.
English Chants /Chants en anglais
Icelandic Spinning Chant (mp3)Kemba, spinna, tæja, tvinna |
Comb, spin, tease, twine |
Work chant from Icelandic-Canadian Popular Verse, #182, p354 by Magnús Einarsson. Versifier unknown, recorded from Kamilla Anderson. |
This I don't always sing it this fast in practice. Sometimes I sing one word at a time, when I'm trying to comb through a tangle. Speed varies, and the tune varies too. This is a power song for me, for spinning thread with intent, as well as for handling purely spiritual threads. See my yarn spinning page for usage. |
||
Processionals / Recessionals
Walking to the grove
(Linda Demisy) mp3 high first notes AG, mp3 low FD#
We are walking to the grove
We are on the path we chose
We will never lose our way
Cause we dream all night and travel by day
We have met before
(Linda Demisy)
We have met before,
In days of yore
We will meet again,
But who knows when
Leaves that die in Fall,
Will spread afar
But in Spring the buds
Will come again
All the leaves you were,
Will make you whole
As we on this branch,
Will greet your soul
Walk with wisdom
(by Sable, traditional ADF final blessing chant at the end of the rite)
Walk with wisdom from this hallowed place.
Walk not in sorrow, our roots shall ere embrace.
May strength be your brother, and honor be your friend,
And luck be your lover until we meet again.
Grounding, Centering, Groupmind
I am Tree (mp3)I am Tree, my bark is thick (Received by Linda Demissy) |
First notes GFD# This song was taught to me by my tree. It is meant to be sung in chorus with a tree spirit, to bond with it, but it can also be used simply as a ritual chant. |
|
Honoring the Earth Mother
Spirit of Life(Linda Demisy)
Spirit of Life, Earth Mother.
Spirit of Life, wake in me.
We honour you with out life,
We honour you with our breath.
Opening the Gates / Creating Sacred Space
Gerda’s Enclosure Song (mp3)You are in seeds, you growing green all around |
Gerda's Release Song (mp3)Seed is dormant in the sun, |
(Received by Linda Demissy) |
|
These songs I learned from Gerda, when I asked if Her enclosed garden could serve the same function as a circle casting. Apparently it can! Walking around the circle is not necessary for this warding to work, but the song can be used in conjunction with a circle casting.
Gatekeeper Chant
(Linda Demisy) mp3 first notes DEF
Turn the key in the lock
And let the gates be open
Grant us permission and
Let our kindred in
Turn the key in the lock
And let the gates be closed again
Grant us denial and
Bid our guests goodbye
This chant was used for ADF style rituals, to call on Lofn as goddess of permission and Syn as goddess of denial (Syn is said to guard the temple gate, and deny entry to those who should not enter). Opening the Gates is done to mark the Tree, Fire or Well as the sacred center from which the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits may enter. A key and a lock can be used as the respective symbols of these goddesses.
In case it wasn't clear, you use the first chant in the beginning of the rite, and the second one near the end.
Deities
Families Three
(Linda Demisy) mp3 first notes AE
Of families three were the gods to be,
Trust we the Aesir,
Love we the Vanir.
But wary when Jotuns are near,
Yet goodly some Jotuns are dear.
This chant is useful for Asatru groups who generally distrust the Giant gods, but do honor a few of the Jotuns, such as the Earth goddess Jorth, mother of Thor, or Frey's bride Gerda, or the Sun goddess Sunna / Sol.
Chants en Francais - French Chants
Grounding, Centering, Groupmind
Vigne de lumière
(Linda Demisy) mp3 first notes D#F
Grimpe mes jambes,
vigne de lumière,
Force qui vient
du profond de la terre.
De mon centre, à ton centre,
Tissons notre toile.
Ancêtres
Viennent les ancêtres
(Linda Demisy) mp3 first notes DAC
Tard, tard, dans le soir,
Viennent les ancêtres. (bis)
De ceux qui sont morts
Tous ceux qui nous aiment.
Esprits de la Nature
Roches et rivières
(Lyrics Linda Demisy, Tune: Trad. Irish reel) mp3 slow first notes GC, mp3 fast AD
Roches et rivières, les vents de la terre,
Les vertues des plantes, et les arbres aux racines profondes
Sont avec, les esprits animaux,
Les alliés que nous appelons, à nous
Les lutins, & les fées de notre monde,
Sont partout parmis
les humains, qui ne les voient pas,
Mais nous savons, et nous appelons,
Les amis de notre mère la terre.
la respiration est difficile dans ce chant, les rilles sont faites pour être jouées, pas chantées. En jouant de la flute irlandaise , on apprends a prendre des petites respirations aux moments opportuns. J'ai indiqué les respirations par des virgules, et enregistré une version plus lente avec des pauses de respiration plus faciles.
Divinités
Divinités
(Linda Demisy) mp3 high first notes FC, mp3 low first notes
Puissants alliés de l’humanité,
Nous vous appelons, divinités.
Par vos noms, par vos noms,
Bénis en cette occasion.
Divination et Augures
Voir Savoir
(Lyrics: Linda Demisy, tune: Pashta MaryMoon) mp3 first notes GA#,
Voir, et pouvoir, pour savoir,
la réponse qui fait
J'utilise ce chant durant la période de divination des rituels ADF. Il se combine bien avec la chanson suivante, ayant la même mélodie que la version des hommes. Chorus version mp3
Spiral Dance Song
(Pashta MaryMoon)
Men sing:
(mp3)
Turning, re-turning, transforming, our heart's fire is (repeat)
Women sing:
(mp3)
Winding, binding the seeds we've sown,
weaving the truths we've known
And drawing them home again (repeat)
Songs
Spell Of The Dead(Lyrics: Linda Demissy Spoken: Long ago, men and women gathered by a fire, much as we do now, seeing their path was about to be forgotten and lost, they set upon casting. One. Final. Spell. Chorus We from the past, the dead For we have seen our path And so we summon you repeat first verse, chorus twice Spoken: and once that last, spell was cast, they each left and went their separate ways, to do what must be done. |
The Asphodel BLESSING SONG(by Raven Kaldera) Click here hear Raven sing it (offsite link) May the earth welcome your footsteps, May you be a friend to your destiny May you walk with light through your underworld May the earth welcome your footsteps, |
|
Unn's Love Song (To Mani) (mp3)
(Received by Linda Demissy)
Moon in sky, Moon under water,
Keep to your way, and do not stray
Children of tides await your say
Hearts, hearts, hearts obey
Flushed my face, my blood you sway
Turn my heart the other way
Kill my calm, aloofness allay
Hearts, hearts, hearts obey
Try to touch you as I may
Blurred my bedside love dismay
Taunt my heart for one more day
Hearts, hearts, hearts obey
This song was spirit taught to me by Unn, Undine of Tides, daughter of Ran.
Sigyn’s Return (mp3)
Spoken: In a dark cave Loki is bound with the enchanted innards of his murdered son. Above him a serpent is hung dripping agonizing venom onto his face. His bride Sigyn holds a bowl to catch that poison. And Loki sings:
Do not leave me sweet child, do not leave me my bride
Do not leave without me, without you I can’t see
You the root of my soul, you the last laugh of life
May the hope that you give, cut me free like a knife
Please say you’ll return, oh swear you’ll return
Em G D
I am Sigyn I hold, for my Loki this bowl
D Am Em
But to empty I must, my return you must trust
Em G D
Down I do fall, as I carry this cup
D Am Em
Though on cuts I must crawl, for you I’ll get back up
C G D C G D
And I will return, yes I will return
Each hour I struggle, to deepen my bowl
Slow burn that I cuddle, is staining my soul
T’would spit in my eye, and I still don’t know why
Made of spite and revenge, snake is my only friend
But I will return, yes I will return
I stare at this serpent, there’s fear in my breast
My courage is spent, only madness is left
Crazed and confused, to let go I refuse
And if I go insane, will you love me the same?
But I will return, yes I will return
It’s filling much faster, it’s begging release
Insanely I mutter, oh please grant me peace
And the more that I take, and the more that it tries
My compassion to break, to close my tired eyes
But I will return, yes I will return
Dishevelled I stand, devoured I dwell
What is in my hand? I can no longer tell
So tired I stumble, can’t muster to care
My memories crumble, my spirit is bare
But I will return, yes I will return
Outside up I stare, empty under the stars
How long can they hold? Does their heaven get old?
Back home I could run, black soul under the sun
Forsaking my truth, fair queen of the uncouth
But I will return, yes I will return
You’re not perfect I know, and you reap what you sow
By wolf, serpent and Death, you are why I draw breath
By the love of our child, whose remains have you tied
By the sweet smile he wore, and the vows that I swore
Oh I will return, yes I will return
When they bid me betray, their lips poison did spray
In my ears in their way, but my love did not sway
It is them I renounce, it is them I denounce
Heaven without my dear, is not better than here
So here I will stay, yes here I will stay
And Loki sings:
In some moments away, from your kindness I pray
Your good heart will turn, for some other to burn
Of my daughter to see, so that I will be free
To never return, oh for my grave I yearn
But here I will stay, yes here I will stay
But here we will stay, yes here we will stay
And I will return, yes I will return
My love I’ll return, for you I’ll always return
Creation Take 2, A Jotun’s View (mp3)
by Linda Demissy
I thought the Edda’s story of creation was rather callous towards Jotuns, so I wrote this version from their point of view. It fits the lore just as well, and can be used to honor Ymir, Surt, Audhumla, Thrudgelmir, Buri, Borr, Bestla, Bolthorn and Bergelmir. It’s probably best not to use for honoring the Aesir, but most Jotuns will probably enjoy it.
In the beginning, there was nothing…
and boy was it, ever boring!
Nothing to do, none to do with.
Potential vast, void without myth.
Then spark, boom, blast, defining space
Hotter than hell, (‘cause) there was no hell!
And Surt, standing, smug and flaming!
How he did that? He’s not telling!
With cooling came, the second world
Rivers, ice, fog, and freezing rain
Full foaming yeast, for life to form
And from that mud, the first man born
Cold Ymir called, and queer was he,
From sweaty feet, he fathered one,
With milk mothered, moist armpit pearls
Two bonny boys, and one bright girl
Urth the oldest, some say it was
Thrudgelmir next, and then a third
We don’t quite know, what name he forged
So let us now, just call him George
It was quite cold, and so they cuddled.
By their sleeping, parent huddled
Making more boys, girls and mothers
Making merry, like no others
There wasn’t much, to eat back then
That sacred cow, she suckled them
She licked the ice, for her own food
Found another, quite frozen dude
Buri was he, buried in ice
Rejoicing came, at this new life
Marriage without, any incest
And Thrudgelmir’s, three heads were thrilled!
Marry my daughter, my good man
And we shall all, prosper in peace
These two they bore, a son named Borr
He too soon wed, a Jotun maid
This brave Jotun, Mother of Gods
Bestla bore Vé, Vili, Odin
Bolthorn’s daughter, Blessed frith-weaver
Her sons grew and, they did deceive her
Hospitality, was repaid
Cruelty, for kindness trade
Odin murdered, Ymir who slept
To make the worlds, his kin he swept
Uncounted kin, did drown that day
Save Bergelmir, who sailed away
His household safe, rebuilt his race
But those are foes, unto this day
It’s true great good, such deeds we call
And marvel at, our towers tall
As we now stand, on native soils
But genocide, my mood it spoils
And should you hear, of these Aesir
And had they killed, all you held dear
Just ask yourself, if it were you
If you’d not hold, a grudge or two?
If wicked are, all giants made
In virtue gods, to who you prayed
This simple truth, do not evade
Remember who, that day betrayed
This Ae Night - Circle Casting
(Trad. Tune: Lyke Wake Dirge) Tune on Youtube
(words by Isaac Bonewits & Lady Pythia on Closing,
Key of A-minor
© 1983, 2001 c.e.)
[Starting in the Center, then walking]
This ae night, this ae night, Every night and all;
Power and might of dark and light, Come answer to our call.
[East (Air)] Queen Above, Below as well, Every night and all;
Listen as we strike your bell, Come answer to our call.
[Walking to South] Silver Huntress of the night, Every night and all;
Put the evil ones to flight, Come answer to our call.
[South (Fire)] Lord of Lust, warrior fell, Every night and all;
Lend Your aid unto the spell, Come answer to our call.
[Walking to West] Golden Starlord of the Flame, Every night and all;
Your children from You warding claim, Come answer to our call.
[West (Water)] Ancestors beneath the seas, Every night and all;
Guard your sacred mysteries, Come answer to our call.
[Walking to North] Ye who to the Gods are bound, Every night and all;
Make the circle strong and sound, Come answer to our call.
[North (Earth)] Midnight sun and midday moon, Every night and all;
Harken to the ancient tune, Come answer to our call.
[Walking to East] East and South, then West and North, Every night and all;
Your people sing to call ye forth, Come answer to our call.
[Turning in the Center]
By fertile Earth, blue Water fair, Every night and all;
By rushing Fire, and whirling Air, Come answer to our call.
By Your sacred names revealed, Every night and all;
Your circle now is cast and sealed, Come answer to our call.
This Ae Night - Circle Closing
[Turning in the Center]
This ae night, this ae night, Ye answered to our call;
Power and might of dark and light -- Farewell unto ye all!
Lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun, Ye answered to our call;
Our thanks to Thee, our magic's done. Farewell unto ye all!
Earth and water, fire and air, Ye answered to our call;
We bless thee for thy love and care. Farewell unto ye all!
Merry meet and merry part, Ye answered to our call;
In love and trust, by magic's art. Farewell unto ye all!
This ae night, this ae night, Ye answered to our call;
Power and might of dark and light -- Farewell unto ye all!
Pagan Lyke Wake Dirge
(traditionnal scottish, modified and re-paganised by the Reclaiming, Montreal version)
Lyke Wake Dirge Tune on Youtube
Dark is the night, still is the earth
As the Veil unfolds
Turn the shinning wheel of rebirth
May earth receive thy soul
Walk the path that sets spirits free
As the Veil unfolds
Let the clear light shine on thee
May earth receive thy soul
Peaceful gods are shinning with light
As the Veil unfolds
Be not blinded, take not flight
May earth receive thy soul
Wrathful gods wear masks of hell
As the Veil unfolds
They are shadows of thy will3
May earth receive thy soul
If in anger thou walkest here
As the Veil unfolds
Fall into the cold light of fear
May earth receive thy soul
If in compassion thou walkest here
As the Veil unfolds
From all suffering be thou clear
May earth receive thy soulShoulin a one-annan
Gods and demons dwell within thee
As the Veil unfolds
Knowing this will set thee free
May earth receive thy soul
EGIL’S SAGA (by Faun)start note: A, in D minor (Original starts on E, in A minor) |
------ are word for word translations I did with a dictionary Here are the Egils Saga lyrics and chords in Word format |
F Dm C Am F Dm C Am Am G Am Am G Am F Dm C Am |
------Has she hobbled long weak ------Carved have been runes ------Must-not a-man runes notch ------Saw-I on bone gills ------Egil carved runes and placed under pillow |
Original version : start note: E (in A minor) |
|
|
Am F F Em Am F F Em Em D Em Em D Em Am F F Em |
------Has she hobbled long weak ------Carved have been runes ------Must-not a-man runes notch ------Saw-I on bone gills ------Egil carved runes and placed under pillow |
Si vous avez besoin de la mélodie, laissez moi savoir, j'essaierai de vous l'enregistrer!
If you're going to use these chants for ritual, or simply like them, let me know! I like to hear about it! Likewise if you really want the tune. I'm slowly adding mp3s, but I'll be more motivated if someone actually wants to use them.
Read this If you want to repost these songs or mp3s on your site
