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Mid​-​Winter Light

by IONA

/
1.
I SAW THREE SHIPS COME SAILING IN I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas day, on Christmas day; I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas day in the morning. And what was in those ships all three, On Christmas day, on Christmas day? And what was in those ships all three, On Christmas day in the morning? Our Savior Christ and His lady, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; Our Savior Christ and His lady, On Christmas day in the morning. Pray whither sailed those ships all three, On Christmas day, on Christmas day? Pray whither sailed those ships all three, On Christmas day in the morning? O they sailed into Bethlehem, On Christmas day, on Christmas day, O they sailed into Bethlehem, On Christmas day in the morning. And all the bells on earth shall ring, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; And all the bells on earth shall ring, On Christmas day in the morning. And all the angels in Heav'n shall sing, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; And all the angels in Heav'n shall sing, On Christmas day in the morning. And all the souls on Earth shall sing, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; And all the souls on Earth shall sing, On Christmas day in the morning. Then let us all rejoice amain, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; Then let us rejoice amain, On Christmas day in the morning. © 2009 Barnaby Productions Inc.
2.
The Wran 04:18
THE WRAN The wran, the wran the king of all birds St Steven's Day was caught in the furze Although he was little his honor was great Jump up, me lads and give him a "trate" As I was going to Killenaul, I met the wran upon the wall Up wid me wattle and knocked him down And dragged him into Carrick Town Droleen, droleen, where's your nest ‘Tis in the bush that I love best In the bush, the holly tree Where all the boys to follow me Up with the kettle and down with the pan And give us a penny to bury the wran We followed the wran three miles or more Three miles or more, three miles or more Followed the wran three miles or more At six o'clock in the mornin' I have a little box under me arm, Under me arm, under me arm, I have a little box under me arm, A penny, a tuppence will do it no harm Mrs. Clancy's a very good woman A very good woman, a very good woman Mrs. Clancy's a very good woman She gave us a penny to bury the wran © 2009 Barnaby Productions Inc.
3.
Can Wassel 03:45
CAN WASSEL (Wassail Song) Nadalek yu- gyllys ha’n bledhen noweth ow-tõs Ygergeugh darrajow h'aberveth gwren dõs. [Translation: Now Christmas is over and the New Year begin Pray open your doors and let us come in.] Chorus: Gans agan Wassel Wassel, Wassel, Wassel, Lowena dh'ahan, jolyf Wassel! [With our wassail Wassail, wassail, wassail, And joy come to our jolly wassail!] A vêstres, ha mêster, owth-eseda yn chy Rag drê lys ny mebyon y travyln-ny. Chorus [Good mistress and master sitting by the fire Whilst we poor wassail boys travel the mire. Chorus] An chy cõth ma hagar, dynerghy ny a vyn Ny rês dheugh kedryna sadow üs dhyn. Chorus [This ancient old house we'll kindly salute, It is the old custom you need not dispute. Chorus] Otta ny y ‘n lê-ma, yn rew ny a sêf. Mebyon Wassel fest jollyf gans cogen y ‘n lêf. [Chorus We are here in this place, we orderly stand. We're jolly wassail boys with a bowl in hand. Chorus] Ny a wayt agas avellennow bõs spêdys dhe dhõn Dry newodhow mõs arta omma pan õn. Chorus [We hope your apple tress will prosper and bear And bring forth good tidings when we come next year. Chorus] Ny a wayt agas barlys bõs spêdys yn têk Ma'gas bo lanwes helder mar plêk. Chorus [We hope that your barley will prosper and grow That you may have plenty and more to bestow. Chorus] A vêstres, ha mêster, fatel yllough hepcor? Orth lenwel agan cogen a syder ha cor'! Chorus [Good mistress and master, how could you forebear? Come fill up your bowl with cider and beer! Chorus] A vêstres, ha mêster, yn esedhys attês Whyleugh agas pors ha reugh nebes, my a'th pys. Chorus [Good mistress and master, sitting down at your ease, Put your hands in your pockets and give what you please. Chorus] Bennath warnough lemmyn ha bewnans fest hyr Aban veugh mar g'üf h'gas helsys mar vür. Chorus [I wish you a blessing and a long time to live Since you've been so free and so willing to give. Chorus] © 2009 Barnaby Productions Inc.

about

Celtic mid-winter traditions tend to be rowdy, lusty and merry: our favorite kind! Spawned when communities were agriculturally based and mid-winter was the darkest time of the year, celebrations revolved around the return of the light and fruitfulness in the growing season to come: the rebirth of nature. So we sing, dance, involve you in strange rituals and drag you off to wassail through the village. Now that's the spirit!!!

Total Running Time - 13:14

IONA was conceived in 1986 by Barbara Tresidder Ryan and Bernard Argent who named the band after the closest landfall in Scotland to Ireland. Most of our music then was Irish and Scottish, but we've been busy ever since, delving into all the other Celtic roots, from Appalachia to Asturies and the Isle of Man to Cape Breton Island.

credits

released November 19, 2009

Barbara Tresidder Ryan – Lead vocals, bouzouki, bodhrán
Bernard Argent – Wooden flute, whistles, doumbek, vocals
Chuck Lawhorn – Bass guitars, vocals
Jim Queen – Fiddle, lead vocal on The Wran, guitar, vocals
Kathleen Larrick – Irish hard shoe, vocals

Recorded @ Shuman Recording (www.shumanrecording.com) by Scott Shuman
© Barnaby Productions, Inc. 2009
Liner notes: IONA
Management by Barnaby Productions, Inc., P.O. Box 11160, Burke, VA 22009 703-426-1450

All titles traditional, except where noted. All arrangements © IONA.

IONA ® is a registered service mark of Barnaby Productions, Inc.

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IONA Washington, D.C.

IONA has been taking its unique brand of traditional Celtic music to festivals, arts centers, schools & house concerts all over North America and Europe since 1986, blending music from the various Celtic traditions with stories and a little humor - Barbara Ryan (vocals, bouzouki, bodhran), Bernard Argent (flute, doumbek), Chuck Lawhorn (bass), Jim Queen (fiddle, banjo) & Kathleen Larrick (dance). ... more

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