The Ailineighdaeth Carol

The Ailineighdaeth Carol: Ailineighdaeth has many songs associated with it, but one in particular is sung at midnight on the 23^rd, to usher in the full Ailineighdaeth season. It was written by Baronous Hodge, which is why it’s written in Common and not Auld Fremhin, a carol that follows more of the Marridon tradition of choir singing rather than solo singing. The legend of the song is that Baronous Hodge wrote it upon seeing his first Ailineighdaeth and his first real winter in Frewyn. He marveled at how the whole country seemed to slumber, the snow fell in heaps, farmers finished their work, and everyone seemed to prepare for their weeks lying in, pies were baked, firewood was got, cider was mulled, and the darkest time of the year gave way to merrymaking, homemade gifts were exchanged and feasts were set down, and high revel and good cheer reigned over the kingdom. Baronous immensely enjoyed his first holiday in Frewyn, so much so that Ailienghdaeth became his favourite time of the year.

Lunas

Tis the season, when darkness comes

To wreath the realm in splendour

Gloaming is loomed with a weft of stars

The gods twiring their tender

Low lying sun dims the day

Clouds crowd out the horizon

Farmers fill the larders and bundle hay

The herds and the flocks still graze on

Menor’s might

Winter’s height

Libhan’s time

Roe Gaumhin rime

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, birth of the year

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, all in good cheer

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, season of lights

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, of starlit nights

Plains asleep and hearths alive

Houses aglow with golden light

Bells from the church peal plangent songs

The first flakes fall from welkin white

Villages wreathed, towns in full teem

Lady Faoili

Trees hung round with sealrealta

Rushes wilt as candles gleam

The welcome winter weather

Menor sleeps

Harvest reaped

Wintertide

Frewyn’s pride

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, birth of the year

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, all in good cheer

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, woods dressed in white

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, moon crowns the night

Feasts prepared and halls adorned

Pies and pudding on table

Cider mulled, meats braised and stewed

Fiddles flogged by the able

All the Gods’ Children wrapped wools

To praise them in feast and  caroles  

Garlands of frost draped round the wolds

The wealds heartwhole apparel

Menor’s sloom

Winter rose bloom

Bush wrens chyrme

All in their time

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, birth of the year

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, all in good cheer

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, seasons renew

Ailineighdaeth, Ailineighdaeth, Bheannacht An Thu