Lammas (Leanne Daharja Veitch)
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- (Posted 2011-03-21) CPDL #23291:
- Editor: Leanne Daharja Veitch (submitted 2011-03-21). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 52 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes: First release of movement 8, "Lammas" from "Wheel of the Year" as a separate work.
General Information
Title: Lammas
Composer: Leanne Daharja Veitch
Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SSAAB
Genre: Sacred, Pagan music
Language: English
Instruments: Violoncello (may be replaced with a keyboard)
First published: 2004
Description: First release of movement 8, "Lammas" from "Wheel of the Year" as a separate work.
What is Lammas?
Lammas is the traditional time of Harvest, and preparation for the coming winter months, celebrated on the 2nd of February in the Southern hemisphere, and on the 2nd of August in the Northern hemisphere. Lammas is awareness of the approach of winter, and thanksgiving for the year's harvest. The name "Lammas" derives from the Old English Hlaf Mass, which means "bread feast". Lammas is traditionally the festival where the first loaf of bread from the harvest is broken and shared. All crops associated with bread are sacred to this time, in particular barley. The drinks of the season are beer, ale, cider, and all things brewed and fermented. Lammas is the celebration of harvest, and ties in with Lughnassadh, the Celtic festival in honor of the Sun God, which is held on the 7th of February in the Southern hemisphere, and the 7th of August in the North. Tradition tells that the Sun King gives his energy to the crops to ensure life while the Mother prepares to transform into her aspect as the Crone. Lammas is the time to teach and to share the fruits of our achievements. The baking of bread, the gathering of seed for the next year's sowing, and the making of corn dolls are all traditional at Lammas. The altar is decorated with loaves of freshly baked bread, corn dolls and wreaths, and the fruits and vegetables of the harvest. Lammas is a time to share, be thankful for our blessings, and be joyful for the blessings that are to come.
Lammas is also known as Cornucopia (Italy/Latin) and Thingtide (Teutonic)External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
(Hoof and horn, hoof and horn,
All that dies will be reborn.
Corn and grain, corn and grain,
All that falls will rise again.)
Bring the crops in against the weather:
Wheat and barley and hops and hay.
Working, harvesting in together -
Celebrating Lammas today.
Night draws nearer, and wind blows colder:
Wheat and barley and hops and hay.
Gather in as the days grow shorter,
Celebrating Lammas today.
Cull the last of the Summer's bounty:
Wheat and barley and hops and hay.
Welcome in Autumn's golden beauty -
Celebrating Lammas today.
Bid farewell to the days of Summer:
Wheat and barley and hops and hay.
Calling in the cool rains of Winter,
Celebrating Lammas today.
(Hoof and horn, hoof and horn,
All that dies will be reborn.
Corn and grain, corn and grain,
All that falls will rise again)
All text and music original, apart from bracketed text and its associated chant (traditional).