A Bard

Morning Star Society of Native American Ceremonial Arts.” --(Llewellyn Publishers)

The six songs on this website are selected from:

"A Bard’s Book of Pagan Songs:

Stories and Music from the Celtic World"

By Hugin the Bard

A mini-review of "A Bard's Book of Pagan Songs"":

In Hugin the Bard's published songbook entitled "A Bard's Book of Pagan Songs", the first 16 songs (pp 1-79) are based on the Mabinogion, the ancient book of pre-Christian Welsh stories and legends. The rest of Hugin’s songbook (pp 80-258) contains NeoPagan songs and chants which he has written.

All the songs reflect Hugin’s vast knowledge of ancient Pagan stories and beliefs, his witty humor, and his unique talent for crafting ancient tales into modern folk songs.

You can still get a used copy of this out-of-print songbook, inexpensively, at www.amazon.com You'll find all the lyrics and chords to all of his songs in this book. Make sure the CD is included.

I feel it is essential that every Pagan songwriter, guitar player and musician to have a copy in order to be exposed to and to learn from Hugin's craft of converting the old stories into Pagan songs for today.

--Cernowain Greenman

Names: Annwn: ah-NOON Pywll: POO-el Arawn: AIR-ah-won Rhiannon: REE-ah-non Havgan: HAV-gan

3.The eastern Lord of Death was greedy, the West he wished to rule
In order to defeat him, both kingdoms they must fool
So, Pwyll would look like Arawn and he would look like Pwyll
Mighty Pwyll descended into Annwn

4.He went upon his journey and he came upon a well
Her golden light and healing waters cast a lovely spell
But, Rhiannon and Pwyll's another story yet to tell
Mighty Pwyll descended into Annwn

5.In Arawn's castle no one was the wise
The Queen was fair beyond compare, desire burned inside
But, Pwyll was sworn to friendship, wouldn't lay between her thighs
Mighty Pwyll descended into Annwn

6.Havgan met him at the ford, he seemed a golden youth
That he would sever women's breasts, it didn't seem the truth
Yet, slay him without mercy was the task ahead of Pwyll
Mighty Pwyll descended into Annwn

7.The warriors clashed together, Havgan proved a mighty foe
Throughout the day, until the eve, his powers seemed to grow
Yet, Havgan fell in battle to a single mighty blow
Mighty Pwyll descended into Annwn

8.My Lord he went a-hunting once before the break of day
The hounds and he got parted from the men along the way
And deep within the forest, the hounds were heard to bay
Mighty Pwyll descended into Annwn

Names: Rhiannon: ree-AHN-non (or, in other songs: REE-ahn-non) Dyved: DIV-ed Gwawl: GOO-el

Verse 1. At Arianrhod’s virginity trial, she didn’t know that she bore two sons. Glad she was that Dylan swam off. But, Gwydion hastened the other raw young thing to his chamber where he grew the lad in a special trunk at the foot of his bed with magick and chants and herbs til the proper time for his birth.

And there came the time when the lad needed a name by his mother, as was the custom. So, Gwydion and the boy went to Arianrhod’s castle by the sea. But she was not pleased. Her embarrassment stung her pride deeply and she vowed he would not be named until that name was given by her. And the look in her eye showed she had no intention of doing so. But Gwydion had at least a few tricks up his sleeve and one day they came to the castle in disguise…

She gasped, “Did you see that sure shot?”
Llew llaw Gyffes (the "Lion with the steady hand")

Then the boot leather turned to seaweed and the boat to driftwood and the bootmaker and his son became Gwydion and young Llew, all released from Gwydion’s magick charm.

Verse 2. Arianrod was not pleased. “My brother you’ve tricked me again. How could you be so cruel?” “Twas your cruelty to the boy that brought me to this deed,” said Gwydion.

“Ahh!” she cried. Then she turned and grinned and said, “Well I know this much. He’ll never receive the arms of manhood and therefore never sit on the throne as King unless those weapons are placed upon him by his mother. This I vow!” And the look in her eye showed she had no intention of doing so. So, another day they came to her castle in disguise, this time as musicians…

“Thank you my Lady, the invasion has gone and your son now has arms.” At this the musicians became Gwydion and young Llew. Arianrhod was not pleased!

Verse 3. “Oh my brother, how could you do this to me? A shame upon you and a shame upon me for being tricked again by the brother I once loved above all things. Ahh! You’ve left me but one move. I swear by the Mother that this lad shall never know the love and embrace of mortal woman born of this Earth. This is my final vow to you!” And she never again left her castle.

Well, this problem stumped Gwydion. Arianrhod’s magick was as powerful as his own. So, he went to his uncle, the King, Math the Ancient, whose magick was the most powerful in the land. And together the King and Gwydion, who were both father, and uncle to Llew, created for him a bride not born of woman, but made of magick and flowers. Ah, but that’s another tale entirely.