According to the The Mummer's Dance Songfacts, Mummers and mumming can be dated to at least the 14th Century, although the form varies. The most famous mummer-related event in North America is the annual Mummers Parade which is held on New Year's Day in Philadelphia. Mummers also went door to door, as indicated here. This song though is not so much a tribute to mumming as a celebration of nature.
The Mummers' Dance
Loreena McKennitt Lyrics
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When the trees are crowned with leaves
When the ash and oak, and the birch and yew
Are dressed in ribbons fair
When owls call the breathless moon
In the blue veil of the night
The shadows of the trees appear
We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
Now returning back again
We bring a garland gay
Who will go down to those shady groves
And summon the shadows there
And tie a ribbon on those sheltering arms
In the springtime of the year
The songs of birds seem to fill the wood
That when the fiddler plays
All their voices can be heard
Long past their woodland days
And so they linked their hands and danced
Round in circles and in rows
And so the journey of the night descends
When all the shades are gone
"A garland gay we bring you here
And at your door we stand
It is a sprout well budded out
The work of Our Lord's hand"
The Mummers' Dance by Loreena McKennitt is a beautiful piece of music with profound lyrics that offer an insight into the Pagan rituals and fables. As the song begins, the artiste sets the scene of the arrival of spring, with the trees in full bloom, covered with leaves and ribbons. The owl's hoots at night add to the mysterious, ethereal atmosphere, and the shadows of trees appear amidst the lantern lights. The singer has been meandering all night and day, and now they bring a garland that they have collected along their journey. The garland, a symbol of spring and fertility, is brought to the door of the listener as the singer explains how it represents the work of the Lord's hand.
The next verse is a call to action to summon the spirits of the earth, the shady groves of the forest, using ribbons to tie the branches in honor of the season of rebirth. The mention of the fiddler's tunes and the melodious songs of the birds paint a vivid picture of the mirth and revelries of the Pagan festivals. The song ends with the group of revellers holding hands and dancing around in celebration, as they watch the darkness of the night fade away, and the dawn of spring take over.
Line by Line Meaning
When in the springtime of the year
During the season of rebirth and rejuvenation
When the trees are crowned with leaves
When the trees are decorated with their lush foliage
When the ash and oak, and the birch and yew
When the different tree species are distinguishable
Are dressed in ribbons fair
Adorned with beautiful ribbon-like formations
When owls call the breathless moon
When the nocturnal birds start to sing to the moon
In the blue veil of the night
In the dark, serene blanket of the night sky
The shadows of the trees appear
The silhouettes of the trees become visible
Amidst the lantern light
In the midst of subtle lighting provided by the lanterns
We've been rambling all the night
We've been wandering around all night
And some time of this day
And eventually at some point today
Now returning back again
Returning to our original destination
We bring a garland gay
We bring a joyous wreath
Who will go down to those shady groves
Who will traverse to the dark, shadowy forests
And summon the shadows there
And call forth the shapes that reside there
And tie a ribbon on those sheltering arms
And attach a ribbon to their embracing limbs
In the springtime of the year
During the season of revitalizing growth
The songs of birds seem to fill the wood
The chirping of birds resonate throughout the forest
That when the fiddler plays
That harmoniously blend with the melody of the fiddle
All their voices can be heard
Every bird's voice can be distinguished
Long past their woodland days
Even beyond their days living in the woods
And so they linked their hands and danced
So they interlocked their hands and gracefully moved in rhythm
Round in circles and in rows
Rotating in circles and lining up side by side
And so the journey of the night descends
So the nighttime's journey comes to an end
When all the shades are gone
When all the shadows have disappeared
"A garland gay we bring you here
"A joyful wreath we present before you
And at your door we stand
We stand outside your door
It is a sprout well budded out
It is a plant with plentiful sprouts
The work of Our Lord's hand"
The creation shaped by the divine
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jbx1967
"The Mummers' Dance"
In the springtime of the year
When the trees are crowned with leaves
When the ash and oak, and the birch and yew
Are dressed in ribbons fair
When owls call the breathless moon
In the blue veil of the night
The shadows of the trees appear
Amidst the lantern light
We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
Now returning back again
We bring a garland gae
Who will go down to those shady groves
And summon the shadows there
And tie a ribbon on those sheltering arms
In the springtime of the year
The songs of birds seem to fill the wood
That when the fiddler plays
All their voices can be heard
Long past their woodland days
We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
Now returning back again
We bring a garland gae
And so they linked their hands and danced
Round in circles and in rows
And so the journey of the night descends
When all the shades are gone
A garland gae we bring you here
And at your door we stand
It is a sprout well budded out
The work of Our Lord's hand
We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
Now returning back again
We bring a garland gae
We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
Now returning back again
We bring a garland gae
@cosmocaptain6391
Takes me back to a time when life was easier. And, I was more than 20 years younger. In 97' I was 19. Rave's and parties were all the rage. Techno was everywhere. I had different tastes in music. I loved this of course, Enya, And I was really into old school funk. I drove people with mediocre tastes crazy. But, they didn't have to be around me, if they didn't like it. I didn't have friends anyway. Just had people around me.
I was abused as a child in very extreme ways. I had no idea I had severe PTSD. I was in extreme denial. I got through the day, and worked often at least 2 jobs at once. I functioned so highly by using drugs. When I was fucked up nothing bothered me or touched me. I had started using substances at 12. By 19 things were working. The bottom hadn't fallen out. Those next years things really fell apart. I turned my back on substance at 23. Because, my lifestyle was no longer in my control. Things had gotten disgusting and I realized I had to quit or die. Then things really got hard. I was clean but not dealing with my issues. I nearly died at 25. Things got very bad for a long time.
I was 38 before I started building a great life again. I faced my past. I told the truth. Got on the right medication.
I'm very happy now. I have things I never thought I could have or felt I deserved. I have a wonderful wife. She is the only human being I've ever related to. Or, felt could understand me. I love her and my step children with every fibre of my being. Before they came into my life I never knew what love was. Or, felt attachment to anything or anyone.
I feel human for the first time. Those are precious gifts. Beautiful gifts.
This song encapsulates a moment. It was very important to me, A long time ago. A time before life kicked my ass.
Still love it. Memories are a little bitter sweet. But, I love this song.
I'm fortunate to have this song. It matters alot to me.
Never stop fighting.
Things change. Pain builds character. It is not on your time. But, the time will come.
Love is the most precious gift. It's the true meaning of life.
It makes suffering worth it.
Life is fragile, minds and bodies are fragile. But, love is strong.
Never take those who love you for granted.
Thanks to anyone that took the time to read my diatribe.
Bless you all, my brother's and sister's.
@rickjohnson8707
I'm 63 and a black man. I love just about all types of music. I have a great love for beautiful music. Today 11-16-19 is the first time hearing this song. I thank you for posting it. I can't stop listening to this. I wish I had it on a loop so I can listen to it all day and night!
@carlostoroalzate
Color is not matter.
@qhorton6743
Im 37 and biracial. Good music is good music and speaks directly to the soul. Peace my brother. Be well.
@wendyleeconnelly2939
@@carlostoroalzate Culture often does tho when it comes to musical preferences and I think that is what he meant.
@MagentaMauve
Put it in a playlist by itself and set it to repeat
@kathleenmurphy6220
Music belongs to all of us...
@johnherlihy4739
As an Irishman, I love this song! Gaelic, Celtic and Irish all combined! She gives honor to my Irish heritage!!
@sunnylife7934
What the difference between the 3?
@annettegeiermann9537
@@sunnylife7934alot of history....😉
@VchaosTheoryV
This reminds me of Enya as well