Saturday 23 September 2017

Hærfest














Just a note that "hærfest" is the Old English word from which we derive "harvest" and which means Autumn.

Hærfest

The priest is calling tribe to come
Raise the song of harvest home;
May sacred gathering begin
Winter storms are coming in
Coming now the raging tide
May harvest blessings now abide
Where in spring the sowers roam
Raise the song of harvest home

The seasons bless each tribal field
That in autumn, fruit shall yield
That which past in spring was sown
Now with fulsome joy is grown
Praise the earth, her bounty dear
When the full corn shall appear:
Now our harvest, come and see
What turning wheel brings to be

Autumn tides bring sandy foam
Fishermen bring harvest home;
Fruit of the sea, across the bay
Little boats set sail that way
In deep waters, nets they cast
Coming home to shore at last
Fish and shellfish in their store
Thank the sea kelpies once more

Sunset comes, and twilight gloam
Sing praises for the harvest home;
Gather all the people in,
Around the fires, kith and kin
Here the time of harvest tide
In sacred circle do abide;
Gather all, and cease to roam
Raise the glorious harvest home.

No comments: