Christmas Carols; Listening to the religious programme this morning and a favourite singer of mine came on. Kate Rusby, a Yorkshire lass I think. But I did not choose her, I chose my favourite carol - The Boar's Head, though it was a toss-up between Steeleye Span's rendition and the one I chose, which is down below.
The second one I chose was 'Hunter Moon' sung by Kate Rusby. The moon has many names, just like snow, to those who live with snow. I love the idea of the moon yearning for the sun. Wake up early one frosty morning, as it becomes light and see both the moon and the sun occupying the sky at the same time.
Often when I went for a walk on Bath Down, I would see this, and one of the artifacts in a Bronze Age barrow in the barrow field on Lansdown was a 'sun disc', a reminder that the sun is part of this Earth's history, in as forever.
I could see the long dead leader of this small group of people living outside the marshy outskirts of Bath (yet to be made into a Roman centre for its hot springs) holding it up to the sky, in gratitude as the cold winter turned over to the warmer time of spring. As we celebrate Christmas they also celebrated in their own way.
The magic of one frosty morning coming across a flock of golden plovers resting in the field in that 'golden light' that happens so briefly morning and evening.
ref: Sun Disc
'
Was Guy Underhill a thief?
ReplyDeleteNo I don't think so. Could have been because there were other so called 'sun discs' found at Monkton Farleigh which is near his site (can't remember here, but was it around Rainbow Wood? Or it could be author's license to stretch the truth. Never read his book though Tom.
DeleteWhat an intriguing history. Glad that you keep following.
ReplyDeleteHistory is always intriguing Tabor.
DeleteI love the thinking of the idea that the same sun that shines on me now shined down on every single predescessor I can lay claim to. I have never heard the Boar's Head Carol, but am off to google more about it. Thanks, Thelma.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Debby, it is a very robust song I think.
DeleteLove the Kate Rusby song. I am used to Maddy Prior singing the Boar's Head, I have to say, but it made a change to hear a male voice singing it.
ReplyDeleteI listen very occasionally to Kate Rusby she has a particular way of singing and writing her songs though. I suppose we can play anything on our computers with all the stuff on You tube Jennie.
DeleteI learned The Boar's Head carol in my teens--I suspect I was intrigued by the Latin chorus as I was struggling with the complexities of that language. There are several alternative melodies in my recently acquired Oxford Book of Carols. I'm sure I wouldn't like to be served a boar's head--roasted? Apple in mouth?
ReplyDeleteWell when I was a child Sharon my grandfather cooked a pig's head and made the resulting meat into brawn. It was quite pretty with cut hardboiled eggs in the translucent jelly but I doubt I ate it.
ReplyDeleteKate Rusby has the most beautiful voice. We saw her live at St. Albans Arena some years ago.
ReplyDeleteI quite like some of her old ballads Frances, but have nothing to play my CDs on sadly.
ReplyDeleteThe Boar's Head is one of my favourites too
ReplyDeleteLoving the sound of Kate Rushbys' voice
ReplyDelete