A round for Lughnasadh/Lunasa/Lammas
A sweet and simple round for Lughnasadh! Today, this Irish holiday is celebrated around August first, but historically it typically took place around the time of the first harvest of grains. In early medieval Ireland, this was a period when disparate communities would come together for days of feasting, contract-making and friendly competitions- from wrestling to foot racing and horse races. Although today we associate this festival with the Irish deity Lugh, it was known by many different names in different parts of Ireland, and these gatherings were often held in honor of legendary women such as the Firbolg queen Tailtiu or the warrior and magic-wielder Carmun.
At the Lughnasadh assemblies poetry and sacred words were often recited, and listening to these sacred words could be a blessing on the recipient. This round is inspired by a blessing spoken at the Feast of Carmun in Leinster: “May there be given to them [the blessings of] the earth and her pleasant fruits” as well as an oath spoken at the assembly that was a promise to hold the assembly every three years. This oath was sworn, amongst other elements, by the “sun, moon and sea” and by “ebb and flow.”
Songs of mine like this one are always welcomed to be learned and shared in non-commercial contexts (song circles, protests etc.). If you wish to use my songs in a commercial context- like being paid for a gig, song leading or making a recording, please contact me directly to discuss permissions.
By the way, if you’ve heard of this festival referred to as “Lammas,” this term comes from the Old English hlaf, “loaf” and mæsse, “mass.” Lughnasadh and Lammas are not actually etymologically related as names, but Lammas was a Christianized blessing of the grains that also took place in the fall in medieval England.
I’ve been creating many pagan songs like this one over the past several years, and I’m determined in the next year to finally make an album featuring some of my favorites! Be sure to join my newsletter for updates about music releases and workshop offerings.
Lyrics
By ebb and by flow
Sun moon and sea
The fruit of this fertile earth
Will come to thee
