Witch
Pagan Sacred Music
Posted on: 09/04/2009 00:17
In the thread
I was asked what Pagan sacred music was like. Not wanting to taka away from that thread, I've decided to start one here.
Pagan Music isn't nearly as broad and diverse as Christian music. Most of our oldest music has been lost, aalthough much survies in the form of Old World Folk music. Still, we've managed to gather together a bit o' the staff and jigs over time.
What's Pagan music like? Well.. I suppose the best way is to let you decide fer yerself. A wee nip, or a mug o' punch, is well advised from here on in. And to those of you of sensitive eyes, I have tried to censor the videos as much as possible, but we are a sensuous people and there may be a bit of skin here and there. Nothing crass, but please be advised all the same.
First we have chants and drums. We do love to chant, and drum and dance
There is also a rich story telling tradition among Pagans. Much of our sacred music reflects this.
We also have a tradition of diversity and love of the Earth
Even try to get along with those darn Christians
And finally, to reflect our love of traditions, I will leave you with an old Irish song,
Comments
1stTim3-16
Posted on: 09/04/2009 00:33
Cool stuff
i love music of all varities....
Witch do you think Led Zepplin were heavaly influenced by pagan and celtic hymns?
1stTim3-16
Posted on: 09/04/2009 00:37
it reminds me of this song we sang it at my dads funeral
thanks for reminding me Witch : )
ninjafaery
Posted on: 09/04/2009 01:00
Witch
Posted on: 09/04/2009 00:41
Cool stuff
i love music of all varities....
Witch do you think Led Zepplin were heavaly influenced by pagan and celtic hymns?
I think it's entirely possible, but I don't know that for sure.
I almost forgot one of my all time favorites. I'm not allowed to leave a Samhain ritual without singing this very old song. Anne Briggs does it better though.
rishi
Posted on: 09/04/2009 10:05
We clearly need more witches in church Music Director positions.
Witch
Posted on: 09/04/2009 13:28
Keep in mind though, Rishi, that Pagan choirs don't wear choir robes.... or... um...anything for that matter
RevMatt
Posted on: 09/04/2009 13:34
I bet your choirs are younger than the average age of ours, though.
RichardBott
Posted on: 09/04/2009 13:38
Skyclad... its far more comfortable than lime-green polyester drapery fabric choir gowns.
Or preaching gowns.
Or even albs.
Christ's peace - r
RichardBott
Posted on: 09/04/2009 13:39
Hey, Witch - I don't have my disks in front of me - but doesn't Loreena McKennet do a beautiful version of "She walked.."?
ninjafaery
Posted on: 09/04/2009 13:43
Maireid Sullivan does a lovely version too. That's the one I have.
rishi
Posted on: 09/04/2009 14:11
Keep in mind though, Rishi, that Pagan choirs don't wear choir robes.... or... um...anything for that matter
Hmmm....that might draw in even more members than a Voices United sing a long.
Witch
Posted on: 09/04/2009 15:26
Not if I was leading it....
Sebb
Posted on: 09/04/2009 15:47
Hey Witch, thank you for posting these songs ^_^
waterfall
Posted on: 09/05/2009 08:15
Wonderful music. Who is the young woman singing on the Celtic Women The Voice video?
stardust
Posted on: 09/05/2009 12:44
Thanks Witch! I watched all of them.
I adore Enya. She's pagan as well as Catholic it seems. I could listen to her 24/7.
Html problems. I can only post links. Sorry.
During one of her late night divination sessions a cloud behind the stars contacted her. They became romantically involved. According to her autobiography, many a night she sat staring up at the sky, wondering at the beyond, talking of far-off planets together. Three months later, Enya ended the relationship because she could not see the cloud's face. The tabloids were merciless when it was learned the cloud behind the stars left Enya with child, a demigod, which Enya named Old Gregg.
Elanorgold
Posted on: 09/10/2009 22:49
Hi Witch, The first one reminds me of Dylan's song "Father of Night" I was just listening to a cover version this morning. Sort of a flip side to the Mother of Darkness perhaps. Do you know it?
Also are you into Dead Can Dance? Song of the Dispossessed...Ahhh... Here's a nice cover version of it
I can't find the original... Of cource the singer doesn't hold a candle to Brendan Perry.
troyerboy
Posted on: 09/10/2009 23:03
Thanks for this post witch.
One question though for everyone - What makes music or anything "sacred". Interested to see where people are at with this
Elanorgold
Posted on: 09/14/2009 12:35
What makes it sacred? If it talks about the bigger picture and makes you feel all dreamy... : )
thistledown
Posted on: 09/24/2009 23:16
Beautiful choices!
I do feel obligated to mention, just for the record, that going "skyclad" is a tradition only observed by *some* Pagans.
:)
Aresthena
Posted on: 09/26/2009 12:25
Very beautiful Witch, thank you for posting this wonderful music on here.
I would always choose this over going to some disco and dancing to some senseless music. Sigh. I wish I had the freedom to just go out in the woods, chant and dance.
Witch
Posted on: 09/26/2009 13:14
Beautiful choices!
I do feel obligated to mention, just for the record, that going "skyclad" is a tradition only observed by *some* Pagans.
:)
Very true, but it's always good in an interfaith joke. Can't you just see the conflict in their faces, between horror and fascination?
I have way too much fun
The Arrogant Man
Posted on: 09/26/2009 21:12
I thought for a moment there you meant pagan music like this
But in retrospect, I suppose I didn't really believe that. Wishful thinking perhaps.
Elanorgold
Posted on: 09/27/2009 13:03
Witch, You missed my questions... ?
Witch
Posted on: 09/27/2009 14:04
Sorry Elanorgold, your questions were concise and to the point with no obvious leading bias.... so naturally I missed them altogether
I don't know that there's really a good answer to your question.
The short answer would probably be... sacred music is that music which deals with sacred things or themes.
In my opinion, sacred music is also that music which turns our minds toward the sacred, or helps us celebrate the sacred, or helps us prepare our minds for conversations with God.
artemisia
Posted on: 09/28/2009 08:17
Witch, your comment that sacred music is that which "helps us prepare our minds for conversations with God" really resonates with me, thanks for putting it so eloquently! I enter that space of conversation through many pieces of music, such as Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes, which are not typically considered sacred. Thanks for sharing the links to all these beautiful pieces.
Dcn. Jae
Posted on: 09/28/2009 19:16
In the thread
"The Golden Age of Gospel"
I was asked what Pagan sacred music was like. Not wanting to taka away from that thread, I've decided to start one here.
As the person who asked the question, I really should respond. However, my computer-sound-card is not functioning. The only response I can therefore make is to thank you for providing your multimedia answer.
Elanorgold
Posted on: 09/29/2009 12:47
Thanks Witch, But I meant the questions: Do you know/like Dead Can Dance?, and: Are you familiar with the song "Father of Night", especially the Manfred Mann and the Earthband version?, which is really cool...
ninjafaery
Posted on: 09/30/2009 08:28
I know the question isn't directed to me, but I just wanted to respond if that's ok. I really like "Dead Can Dance". I have the Serpent's Egg cd and like to listen to it if I'm doing something creative.
Elanorgold
Posted on: 09/30/2009 11:28
Cool! I love DCD. Been listening to them since I was 16~~~