"Not everyone is Christian. Many of us, who prefer a Nature-centered, Goddess-based spirituality, rooted in our own *EIK (European Indigenous Knowledge), have found deep meaning in the Solstice, Equinox and Sabbat celebrations (Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain), and enjoy singing songs that are based upon these sacred days/times of the year.
We, at Girl God Books, decided to create this special songbook with re-imagined Christmas carols and songs (only those in the public domain were used) to honor the original intent of late December, the Longest Night of the Year, known as the Winter Solstice.
So, decorate that evergreen, set the Yule log ablaze, put on the Wassail, light the candles, and lift your voices in celebration." -Sharon Smith from her Introduction to Songs of Solstice.
This Songbook celebrates the cycles of Nature—Birth, Life, and Death—through the changing Seasons (the Turning of the Wheel) from Autumn's abundance, for which we give thanks, to Winter's "Dead Time," when even the warmth of the Sun leaves us, and the world goes dark and cold. It is a celebration of both the Light and the Dark, since both are Sacred and both are needed for new Life to grow and flourish.
This Song Book includes Goddess-affirming re-writes of the following:
O Holy Night
The Holly & the Ivy
Ave Maria
The Coventry Carol: Lullay, Thou Little Tiny Child
O Come, O Come, Immanuel
Once in Royal David’s City
Away in the Manger
The First Noel
What Child is This
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
I Wonder as I Wander
O Come All Ye Faithful
Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar
Joy to the World
Angels We Have Heard On High
Angels from the Realms of Glory
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
Silent Night
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Here We Come A-caroling
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
Jingle Bells
Boston, an American Christmas hymn
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Deck the Halls
To the Future from Auld Lang Syne
Hallelujah Chorus
This Song Book is also filled with glorious artwork, Solstice poetry, and writings on the Solstice from Glenys Livingstone, PhD., Kat Shaw, and Sharon Smith. Songs of Solstice also includes an essay by Laura Shannon on the original Goddess origins of the word “Hallelujah,”
You can find a complete Table of Contents here.
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