Samhain (Into the Winter’s Night)

words and music by Elisa M. Welch © 1998

Sun’s rays
How they shine
Long days of summer
Long days
Fade to night
Cross one another

Into the winter’s
Into the winter’s night

Cold days
Crisp and clear
Harvest desire
Harvest
Draws us near
Dance round the fire

Into the winter’s
Into the winter’s night

Watching the moon we
Wonder at all her might
Pulling the tide she
Catches our eye she
Washes us in her silvery light

Samhain
Sets the stage
Cast off your sorrows
Cast off
Turn the page
Dream of tomorrow

Into the winter’s
Into the winter’s night

Listen:

Angel Wash Song

“I behold you Beautiful One,
I behold you Child of the Earth and Sun.
Let my Love wash over You.
Let my Love watch over You”

– Saphir Lewis & Rafe Pearlman (from the Angel Wash Ceremony)

Sheet Music

Listen:

Keep Your Lamp

Keep your lamp trimmed and burning.
Keep your lamp trimmed and burning.
Keep your lamp trimmed and burning.
See what the Lord has done.
Well, brother, don’t get weary.
Well, brother, don’t get weary.
Well, brother, don’t get weary.
The time is almost nigh.
Well, your journey’s almost over.
Well, your journey’s almost over.
Well, your journey’s almost over.
See what the Lord had done.
(Repeat, replacing “brother” with “sister,” etc.)

Notes:

The song has been attributed to Blind Willie Johnson, who recorded it in 1928; to Mississippi Fred McDowell, who recorded it in 1959; and to Reverend Gary Davis, who recorded it sometime before 1961

Listen: