A song inspired by the old woodcuts that show Witches dancing with a horned figure from the times of the Witch hunts and the ‘Hammer of the Witches‘, the Inquisition (nobody ever expected them, apparently), Images that can still cut to the heart of some who see them, particularly those who still believe in a Dennis Whealtey-esque occult fraternity.
It’s all rubbish of course – propaganda to feed paranoia and build superstition for a power-hungry church. A topic I tried to address with my song Green and Grey.
But the Sabbat for modern Witches and Wiccans is a real thing. So I wanted to write a song that held within it that ecstasy of the union with Nature, the wildness of Dionysus, the drums beneath the moon, the roaring fire, the chanting, dancing – If you’ve been there, you know.
But you can keep your Devil, I’ll dance with Pan!!
lyrics
VERSE 1
The day is done I turn my gaze towards the setting sun,
I taste the incense on the air, I hear the sound of drums,
The chill of the evening descends.
All day long I’ve been working hard for the man,
But now’s the time to ditch this skin and be who I am,
Some people just don’t understand,
You can keep your Devil I’ll dance with Pan!
Chorus:
For I will fly free,
On the wings of ecstasy,
And I will dance free,
To the music of Faerie.
Imbolc, Beltane,
Lughnasadh and Samhain,
Equinox and Solstice,
On hilltops in forests tonight,
To the Sabbat I will ride.
VERSE 2
I will dance with the Fearie Queen beneath the silver moon,
I will taste the honey mead and chant the Witch’s Rune,
My heart with the pulse of the land.
Witness now the union of chalice and of blade,
Of life and death and life again the union is made,
By power of land and of sea,
By power of will, so mote it be!
VERSE 3
The night is done the sun will rise on a brand new day,
And I along with millions go out to earn our pay,
People see just what they want to see.
But I have danced with the Faerie Queen, shared the mead of the sun.
I have worn the Oaken Crown before the Horned One,
And I’ll know it’s time to return,
When I see those Pagan fires burn!
credits
from Sabbat,
released March 31, 2015
Damh the Bard
Damh the Bard – is a modern-day Bard whose spirituality and love of folk tradition is expressed through his music,
storytelling and poetry. Drawing on the Bardic tradition, his performances are both entertaining and educational, speaking directly to the heart, and never without a good splash of humour....more
This is truly a wonderful album. Beautiful melodies, wonderful voices and fantastic lyrics. Every song tells a story and I cannot stop listening to it. Blessed be. Choxley
Celtic-inspired instrumentation, delicate harmonies, and reflective lyrics abound on the sisterly indie-folk duo's debut album. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 26, 2023
Bright and skipping songs that foreground the sound of the banjo and fingerstyle guitar in music that feels timeless. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 5, 2020
i like this version better than the original. The middle part has that aggression that makes the excellent balance with the beginning and ending of the song. owlobo