On this last, darkest day of the year
Of all the beautiful holiday music (and believe me, I've heard and sung a LOT,) this might be my favorite. I play it every year on the winter Solstice, and some day I want to have a party like this.
Ann Reed, a folk singer from Minneapolis, wrote this after attending a party given by her friend Carolyn. Given the lenght of a Minnesota mid-winter's night, Carolyn threw a "light" party, with every guest bringing light in some form. I read that a couple people actually dressed as floor lamps. :-)
I've always been affected by the change in the light during the year, so the birth of the sun, as some describe it, means a lot to me.
Anyway, here it is.
Carolyn's Party (Solstice)
The day was as black as a raven
With winter's cold breath blowin' hard
She issued her warm invitation
Printed plain on a simple white card
Bring your lamps
& lanterns here
On this last darkest day of the year
Let our hearts be
Burning bright
Through the window
I'll see you tonight
Candles & other relations
Walzed through the door & in time
There were stories of illumination
While aurora went dancin' outside
There were pictures of lighthouses shining
A red miner's helmet a-glow
The moon would come out of its hiding
Flowin' down on the cover of snow
When a small, quiet few sat together
Faces she knew & had spent
Seasons for worse or for better
She rased up her glass, then, to them
& she said
You're my friends
& wherever life takes me or when
You're my home
That's the truth
& the light through the window is you.
So bring your lamps
& lanterns here
On this last darkest day of the year
Let our hearts be
Burning bright
Through the window
I'll see you tonight
--Ann Reed, © 2000 Turtlecub Publishing BMI
Ann Reed, a folk singer from Minneapolis, wrote this after attending a party given by her friend Carolyn. Given the lenght of a Minnesota mid-winter's night, Carolyn threw a "light" party, with every guest bringing light in some form. I read that a couple people actually dressed as floor lamps. :-)
I've always been affected by the change in the light during the year, so the birth of the sun, as some describe it, means a lot to me.
Anyway, here it is.
Carolyn's Party (Solstice)
The day was as black as a raven
With winter's cold breath blowin' hard
She issued her warm invitation
Printed plain on a simple white card
Bring your lamps
& lanterns here
On this last darkest day of the year
Let our hearts be
Burning bright
Through the window
I'll see you tonight
Candles & other relations
Walzed through the door & in time
There were stories of illumination
While aurora went dancin' outside
There were pictures of lighthouses shining
A red miner's helmet a-glow
The moon would come out of its hiding
Flowin' down on the cover of snow
When a small, quiet few sat together
Faces she knew & had spent
Seasons for worse or for better
She rased up her glass, then, to them
& she said
You're my friends
& wherever life takes me or when
You're my home
That's the truth
& the light through the window is you.
So bring your lamps
& lanterns here
On this last darkest day of the year
Let our hearts be
Burning bright
Through the window
I'll see you tonight
--Ann Reed, © 2000 Turtlecub Publishing BMI