To drive the cold winter away ...

I set out to find a solstice carol yesterday and after thrashing around for a while came up with this performance by Owain Phyfe (1949-2012) and his New World Renaissance Band of an Elizabethan favorite, dating apparently from prior to 1625 or thereabouts.

There are others out there, but most involve neo-pagan goddesses and the like --- and while I've nothing in particular against neo-pagans, that approach seems contrived to me and so I'm leaving it alone. Yes, yes I know --- neo-pagans have feelings, too; and cultural Christianity is by no means lacking in contrivance.

There are as many as 12 stanzas to what's entitled here "Drive the Cold Winter Away" but also is known as "In Praise of Christmas." And its about the Christmas season as once celebrated, including its pagan roots, during Christmastide (aka the 12 days of Christmas).

Here are the three stanzas that Phyfe adapted for this performance. No matter your approach to matters of faith and life --- or to Christmas and/or the solstice --- it's hard to argue with the sentiments expressed here.

All hail to the days that merit more praise 

Than all the rest of the year,

And welcome the nights that double delights

As well for the poor as the peer!

Sweet blessings attend each merry man's friend,

That doth but the best that he may;

Forgetting old wrongs, with poems and songs,

To drive the cold winter away.

'Tis ill for a mind to anger inclined

To think of small injuries now;

If wrath be to seek do not lend her thy cheek

Nor let her inhabit thy brow.

Cross out of thy books malevolent looks,

Both beauty and youth's decay,

And spend the long nights in honest delights

To drive the cold winter away.

This time of the year is spent in good cheer,

With neighbours together do meet

To sit by the fire, with friendly desire,

With others in love to greet;

Old grudges forgot are put in the pot,

All sorrows aside they lay;

The old and the young doth carol this song

To drive the cold winter away.