First Light (Golau Cychwynnol)

[dcmarti1]

Night before a Christmas morn – stars tarry;

Hymns carry a world so torn

To be saved by God's Yet-born.

 

Night before a Christmas morn – all is seen

Red and green. Our hearts, forsworn,

Still are gifts to God's Low-born.

 

Night before a Christmas morn – in the dark,

Holy spark. Candles have borne

Ev'ry soul to God's High-born.

 

(The memory of my first Christmas at Universalist National Memorial Church, at the impressive “Recessional of the Candles” during “Silent Night”. This is a version of the ancient Welsh form englyn penfyr. Please note that I am NOT a religious fundamentalist.)

[Tinker]

Hi Marti, This is a lovely Christmas poem and I am excited that you chose this ancient Welsh form to deliver your experience. It fits the subject manner beautifully. If you don't mind I have linked this poem to the Englyn penfyr since your use of the gair cyrch is spot on. I love it.

 

~~Tink

[eclipse]

I agree this is lovely

[dcmarti1]

Tinker, it is because of this site that I found the perfect form for this memory.

 

Eclipse, thank you. I have read some of your rhymed formula as well. Nice.

[Larsen M. Callirhoe]

hi Marti, nice to meet you. this was easy to read as the alliteration is spot on throughout the poem. reminds me of many of my youthful days growing up and recollecting Christmas spending time at the church i grew up in. most of the people i meet there are probably deceased, sadly. i live in another state, but i always think about that old church. those memories haunt me so and my soul. i am not a religious fundalmentalist either, but i have a strong conviction in higher powers. beautiful poem.

 

victor

[dcmarti1]

Thank you much, Larsen. Hauntings CAN be good.

[Benjamin]

Hello Marti.

There's a warm melodic decency about this that reminds me of a Kate Rusby folk song “The Wandering Soul.” It has a memorable chorus: “We'll sing to the morning/ We'll sing till the bells they sound/ We'll sing till the wandering soul is found.” Benjamin.

[Larsen M. Callirhoe]

i had to because it is a beautiful song. so here is the lyrics everyone to kate rusby's song.

 

Lyrics to Wandering Soul :

Winter comes around,

And he knows he is homeward bound,

His heartbeat is the only sound he's known,

 

He once lost his way,

He knows now that was yesterday,

He fell down on his knees to pray for home.

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing till the wandering soul is found.

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing till the wandering soul is found.

 

He's found his way at last,

With each turn a new bond was cast,

His friends now hold him steady fast and true.

 

With peace in his eyes,

The fear now is a pain in the skies,

With friends near he sees only skies of blue

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing till the wandering soul is found.

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing till the wandering soul is found.

 

It's clearer every day,

He knows now he is here to stay,

He cares not why he went away so long.

 

He's found where he belongs,

He know he's been here all along,

He is smiling as he joins his friends in song.

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing till the wandering soul is found.

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing now the wandering soul is found.

 

(Thanks to Ian for these lyrics)

 

Winter comes around,

And he knows he is homeward bound,

His heartbeat is the only sound he's known,

 

He once lost his way,

He knows now that was yesterday,

He fell down on his knees to pray for home.

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing till the wandering soul is found.

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing till the wandering soul is found.

 

He's found his way at last,

With each turn a new bond was cast,

His friends now hold him steady fast and true.

 

With peace in his eyes,

The fear now is a pain in the skies,

With friends near he sees only skies of blue

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing till the wandering soul is found.

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing till the wandering soul is found.

 

It's clearer every day,

He knows now he is here to stay,

He cares not why he went away so long.

 

He's found where he belongs,

He know he's been here all along,

He is smiling as he joins his friends in song.

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing till the wandering soul is found.

 

We'll sing to the morning,

We'll sing till the bells they sound,

We'll sing now the wandering soul is found.