LYRICS

. . .
From From the Wild (2022)

. . .
✴︎from Hamatreya, by Ralph Waldo Emerson

She knows your name
But she has none
The wild mother
From the mystery comes

From the wild, she comes
Through the wild, she will roam
The wild mother
The roots of my soul

From the wild, from the wild
From the wild, from the wild

All things bright …come from her
All we love …will return

From the wild, from the wild
From the wild, from the wild

From the shadows, she comes
All things bright
To the shadows, she will go
Come from her
All we love …will return

Bring the light!
I have to shatter my illusions
of the dawn
And bring the fire!
It’s time we scattered all the ashes
to the ground
And bring me down
to the one we have forgotten
Yet are bound

Bound by our glory
Bound by our fears
Bound by the simple taste
Of countless tears

And bring the wild!
The wind is tearing through
the blackness of the sky
And hold me, child…
In bitter rain
I’ll be your shelter
through the night
And close your eyes…
Though the sand and shadows rage
we look inside

For Grandmother’s tears
They have fallen
Four thousand years
Almost forgotten

Bring the light
And bring the fire
And bring the wild
And hold me, child

For we have fallen…
…to the ground
Into the quiet space…
…between all sound
And love has bidden…
…us to call
Upon her gentle grace…
…that heals all

Bring the light
And bring the fire
And bring the wild
And hold me, child

For Grandmother’s tears
They have fallen
Four thousand years
Almost forgotten
Almost forgotten
All but forgotten

{By Loreena McKennitt}

Ride on, Through the night, Ride on
Ride on, Through the night, Ride on

There are visions, there are memories
There are echoes of thundering hooves
There are fires, there is laughter
There’s the sound of a thousand doves

Ride on, Through the night, Ride on
Ride on, Through the night, Ride on

In the velvet of the darkness
By the silhouette of silent trees
They are watching, they are waiting
They are witnessing life’s mysteries

Ride on, Through the night, Ride on
Ride on, Through the night, Ride on

Cascading stars on the slumbering hills
They are dancing as far as the sea
Riding o’er the land, you can feel its gentle hand
Leading on to its destiny

Ride on, Through the night, Ride on
Ride on, Through the night, Ride on

Take me with you on this journey
Where the boundaries of time are now tossed
In cathedrals of the forest
In the words of the tongues now lost

Find the answers, ask the questions
Find the roots of an ancient tree
Take me dancing, take me singing
I’ll ride on till the moon meets the sea

Ride on, Through the night, Ride on
Ride on, Through the night, Ride on
Ride on, Through the night, Ride on
Ride on, Through the night, Ride on

(© Copyright Loreena McKennitt)

Day is done, and the gold is gone
Dust has settled upon the ground
There goes the sun
I will follow her down

Fire burns bright
But ash is grey
These are dying days
I’ll stir the embers
Watch them fade

Waterfalls will wash the scars
Oceans tumble the ramparts down
The forests will breathe
And sing to the sky
And the clouds will break
And the rain will cry
And the world of man
Will yield to life

Is this the final divide?
This is a fine day to see what we’ve left behind

Breath is like a tethered kite
Let it go, and watch it fly
But we all know…
That the earth will call it down in the end

Are these the last days, my friend?
Are these the last days we may walk upon this land?
Are these the last days?
Are these the last days?
Are these the last days…of man?

I fall…
I bend…
I rise to the call
…of the wild singing spiral flowers
Trapped behind the wall
I fall
I sway…
Another day
I’m washed away

Shadowing figures, the blackbirds did see
And I ravaged the dark for the jewels of the queen
She was lonesome and a coy one
Oh you’ll serve her quite well
In the brambles of the witches
Oh the mice twitter so

I fall…
I bend…
I rise to the call
…of the wild singing spiral flowers
Climbing on the wall
I fall
I sway…
Another day
I’m washed away

And there’s a war in the sky, riding reckless in the night
But who will keep count of the wicked and the right
Restless of wing, hither dither whither here
Crying alone since the seasons of fear

I fall…
I bend…
I rise to the call
…of the wild singing spiral flowers
Tearing at the wall
I fall
I sway…
Another day
I’m washed away

Hun dai dai dai dai dai dai…

I fall…
I bend…
I rise to the call
…of the wild singing spiral flowers
Sweeping o’er the wall
I fall
I sway…
Another day
I’m washed away

And still there is rain, and horses on the plains
And the wind rages on, dragging thunder in its reins
And under the ground, a thousand, thousand busy homes
Sheltered and skeltered, harvest marrow from the bone

I fall
I sway…
Another day
I’m washed away

Dancing in the white thistle garden
Who can tell when titans shall fall
Breathing in the song of the morning
Who will come when the grey heron calls?

Black waves of night pour through me
Stars of the ocean, tumbling sky
Wash away all that was mine
But I, oh I, I don’t mind…

For I walk in the light of the sun at midnight…

And I sent a prayer that flew to the sky
Touched the stars, and fell to my eyes
Showering, shimmering petals of light
And I, oh I, I am pure delight…

For I walk in the light of the sun at midnight…

And I watch as the embers fade to grey
And I close my eyes and a light takes shape
Only a spark, a touch of grace
Then a star, my heart aflame
Oh, AngelFire!

For I walk in the light of the sun at midnight…

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015)

Round and round and round and round
Catch the stars and bring them down
Ride the sky, a light on fire!

{traditional, Hymn for the Russian Earth}
If the people lived their lives
As if it were a song, for singing out of light
Provide the music for the stars
To be dancing circles in the night

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015)

Maybe one day, you and I will leave this place
Let the land return to its original grace
With wild hearts, we will fly
Angels of the earthly sky…
And the desert blooms, in the rain we left behind
Angels of the earthly sky…

Golden we dissolve into the setting sun
Let the earth rest in her beauty

Touched so long by the hands of man
Now life grows where the cities did stand
And the winged ones play on the winds through the day
And the rhythm of hooves dancing o’er the plains
Will awaken the thundering earth from her grave
Oh the rivers they will flow from the heart of her pain
She will wash, wash away all the scars that we made
And raise up the mountain as a pillar of praise

For you and I, we have gone from this place
Left the shame of our anguished rage
Left it all, to return again
To the endless sky from which we came

We left our garments by the riverside
We left our homes where we used to hide
We gave our yearning to the ocean’s tide
We gave it all, we left it all behind

And we are wild as the wind
As we caress the earth and sky
And we are lovers of this land
And love is all that’s left in time… in time

Maybe one day, you and I will leave this place
Let the land return to its original grace
With wild hearts, we will fly
Angels of the earthly sky…
And the desert blooms, in the rain we left behind

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015)

We ride on ancient wings
Our hearts awakening
Sacred souls, wild and free,
We are soaring on ancient wings
Awakening, remembering, awakening…

Respira la esperanza
Con la fuerza del espiritu
Inspira la esperanza
Con la fuerza del espiritu

{traditional Taize, words by St. Theresa de Avila}
Nada te turbe, nada te espante
Quien a dios tiene, nada le falta
Nada te turbe, nada te espante
Solo dios basta

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015)

When the lady’s dance is done
And the last song is sung
In a time when mists abide
Inner space where dreams collide…

Into the void I travel
Into the shadows I fall
Into the silent thunder
Into nothing and all

I’m falling, I’m falling
The blackness is calling
Shadows wrap around
Silence is a mighty sound

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015)

Kali’s army is coming around
Kali’s army is tearing the walls down…
…till I am naked and whole again
Tear me open and scatter me to the wind
Like stardust is shattered and gathered in your breast…
This is no lonely death
For I am coming home…with every breath
Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma…

Wine blood is flowing from my heart to hers
My love is flowing to the heart of the earth…
…till I am empty and full again
Tear me open and pour me out
This love is a river that’ll ravage your drought
This is a holy rain
And I am coming home…to heal this pain…
Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma…

And I’m bound in this garden is watered with tears
Turn back ye demons, I’ve conquered your fears!
Yes I surrender and lay me down…
Tear me open and offer me to the land
Till me under and work me with your hands
I am a warrior, in love again
And I am coming home…to the heart of man
Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma…

Kali’s army is coming around
Kali’s army is tearing the walls down…
…till I am naked and whole again
Tear me open and scatter me to the wind
Like stardust is shattered and gathered in
Your night sky devours and crushes me to your breast
This is a holy death

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015), and Live at Immersive Studios (2011)

{traditional Sephardic, words by Solomon Ibn Gabirol}

La rosa enflorece, hoy en el mes de May
Mi alma se oscurece, sufriendo del amor

Mas presto ven, paloma, mas presto ven con mi
Mas presto ven, querido, corre y salva me

Los bilbilicos cantan, con suspiros de amor
Mi neshama y mi ventura, estan en tu poder

Translation: The Rose is in Bloom {The Nightingales}
The rose is in bloom, today in the month of May
My soul is darkened, suffering from love

Come quickly, dove, quickly come with me
Come quickly, my love, run and save me

The nightingales sing with sighs of love
My soul (neshama) and my destiny – they are in your power

. . .
On Maiden of Midnight (2015)

I gave the wind an eagle feather
That she, she might set my spirit free
And I gave the earth the sacred stone
That she, she might carry me home

All the way home…

And I stood at the edge of the trembling sea
And I cast my prayers to the deep
And I felt the pull of the moon on my bones
Calling me, drawing me home

All the way home…

Ancient woman, maiden of midnight
Sing us your mystery song
And gypsy dancer, of the fire and moonlight
Won’t you bring us along

On your way home…

And the sheltering eaves whisper to our souls
Of sacred forests of old
Where we’ll find our way to the circle of stones
And there, we will dance our way home

All the way home…

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015), and Live at Immersive Studios (2011)

I sing for the earth
I sing for the angels fallen
Wind is my breath
And thunder is my song

Have you tasted the sweetness of raindrops?
Have you smelled the lilacs in bloom?
Have you seen the sun in a lover’s eyes,
And conquered your own doom?

This endless ache of humankind,
The heart of suffering here inside…
There is a warm cave and I have lit a fire
Come sit here by my side.

Together we will sing until the silence falls,
As the flames dance and devour
The dragon’s breath on your mortal skin,
Care to join me on the pyre?

How close can we come to death,
Dancing on the edge?
What keeps you sane,
what keeps you from the flames,
what keeps your heart contained?

If you were to fall, finally to surrender,
who would you be now?
Who would you be now?…

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015), and Live at Immersive Studios (2011)

Raven is my name
My mother is the wind
Cradled in her arms
Dance together on the breath

I have travelled to the edges of death
Laughter fills the void
I am dancing
I am empty
I am light

Shadows give way
to sight
beyond sight

Essence of blackness
Silence of night
Stillness embodied
Fall into flight

One eye sees daylight, one into dream
Know that nothing is as it seems

For hidden inside
Beyond the blood and the flame
Enter the gate and step into space

Keep folding in and in and in on the abyss
And there you will find the deep well of bliss
Fathomless

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015)

I heard the cry of Raven
In the wild sky above
for the one who was lost over the ocean
Well don’t give up my love
My little dove

So I sent the god of thunder
To break the stormy night
But still, the darkness gathers
So close your eyes
I’ll be your sight

And I would be the wind over the seas
I would be the breeze, caressing you endlessly
I would be the wind under your wings
I would breathe, into you, in through you

And I know your wings grow weary
I hear your silent cries
But lift your heart my angel
For you were born to fly
On wings of light

And I would be the wind…

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015)

Kali’s army is coming around
Kali’s army is tearing the walls down…
…till I am naked and whole again
Tear me open and scatter me to the wind
Like stardust is shattered and gathered in your breast…
This is no lonely death
For I am coming home…with every breath
Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma…

Wine blood is flowing from my heart to hers
My love is flowing to the heart of the earth…
…till I am empty and full again
Tear me open and pour me out
This love is a river that’ll ravage your drought
This is a holy rain
And I am coming home…to heal this pain…
Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma…

And I’m bound in this garden is watered with tears
Turn back ye demons, I’ve conquered your fears!
Yes I surrender and lay me down…
Tear me open and offer me to the land
Till me under and work me with your hands
I am a warrior, in love again
And I am coming home…to the heart of man
Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma Kali Ma…

Kali’s army is coming around
Kali’s army is tearing the walls down…
…till I am naked and whole again
Tear me open and scatter me to the wind
Like stardust is shattered and gathered in
Your night sky devours and crushes me to your breast
This is a holy death

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015), and Live at Immersive Studios (2011)

I gave the wind an eagle feather
That she, she might set my spirit free
And I gave the earth the sacred stone
That she, she might carry me home

All the way home…

And I stood at the edge of the trembling sea
And I cast my prayers to the deep
And I felt the pull of the moon on my bones
Calling me, drawing me home

All the way home…

Ancient woman, maiden of midnight
Sing us your mystery song
And gypsy dancer, of the fire and moonlight
Won’t you bring us along

On your way home…

And the sheltering eaves whisper to our souls
Of sacred forests of old
Where we’ll find our way to the circle of stones
And there, we will dance our way home

All the way home…

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015), and Live at Immersive Studios (2011)

I sing for the earth
I sing for the angels fallen
Wind is my breath
And thunder is my song

Have you tasted the sweetness of raindrops?
Have you smelled the lilacs in bloom?
Have you seen the sun in a lover’s eyes,
And conquered your own doom?

This endless ache of humankind,
The heart of suffering here inside…
There is a warm cave and I have lit a fire
Come sit here by my side.

Together we will sing until the silence falls,
As the flames dance and devour
The dragon’s breath on your mortal skin,
Care to join me on the pyre?

How close can we come to death,
Dancing on the edge?
What keeps you sane,
what keeps you from the flames,
what keeps your heart contained?

If you were to fall, finally to surrender,
who would you be now?
Who would you be now?…

. . .
From Maiden of Midnight (2015), and Live at Immersive Studios (2011)

Surrender in stillness
to the sweet souldance slumber
Find a way to wander
in the shadow realms of light
Chosen are the lucky ones
to dance the night on fire

I was born of embers,
scattered as ash
And I flew,
lifted on winds
Oh did you see the sun!
as it rose over mountains
and set o’er sea

When you’re done
will you come?
Dance in the ethers with me…

. . .
On Live at Immersive Studios (2011)

My love, my fire, come burn with me tonight
Tear down the blackness with the blazing of your light
And we will fly . . .
Bird of prey encircle me until my skin becomes your sky
Empty and Light

Slow burn, on empty skin
Lava flows, from your love within
You are honey, melting in my sun…
…and I love the endless tenderness of your touch…

. . .
On Live at Immersive Studios (2011)

The cosmos is my mistress
She takes me in her deathly arms
Where everything is beautiful…ly terrifying!
Tied up in her spider’s web,
I surrender
For I am bound, to be free…
I am bound, to be free…
I am bound, to be free…

I close my eyes
She comes black as night
Cold upon my tender skin
The white heat of her knife
Traces the lines where shadows play
Between the hidden and the mind
Teases the threads that bind me in
Until the darkness burns with light!

Dissolving, dissolving
Something washing o’er me
Am I one small drop in the ocean?
Or is the ocean in me?

So lay me down
On your bed of thorns
These broken limbs are tangled in
your earthly charms
Pierces my skin to the sorrow within
And from the marrow, I’ll be born
Spiraling in, I surrender my sin
As it returns to the source

Dissolving, dissolving
Something washing o’er me
Am I one small drop in the ocean?
Or is the ocean in me?

When the weight of the sun
presses into the blue
And the cry of the world
is the distance between me and you

When the weight of the sun
presses into the back of my mind
Stirring whispers of time
Carving circles from lines
Daring dragons to climb
out of history’s shadow and light

When the weight of the sun
presses into the sky
Such woe I did want
to bury it under the night
But the earth did cry…

When the weight of the sun
presses into the sky
And the cry of the world
And the cry of the world!

When the weight of the sun
presses into the blue
And the cry of the world
is the distance between me and you

In the forests of the north
There’s a lady of the trees
She walks amidst the evergreens
Their boughs have turned into her wings

She tends to all the living things
Feeding roots and spreading seeds
She gathers fruits and medicines
To heal the wounds, and lift the sins

Oh lai lai lai…

She is the one we love to fear
But to her heart, she holds us dear
She is the wild wisdom crone
And to the night, she turns alone

Oh lai lai lai…

She is the water on the stone
She is the wildflowers fleeting
As winter wraps her cloak around
She lights the fire…and gathers bones

Oh lai lai lai…

Oh we fly
Through the sky
Through the night
Till the rain calls us down
Underground

These are the once and future flowers
We are the once and future flowers

In the belly of the sun
From the wreckage of this world
Where the Holy Ghost is gone
There the raven sings her song

On dusty wings she soars
Feathers old and worn
Past the graves from all the wars
Quoth the raven, “Nevermore”

And the silence and the sand
And the naked trees do stand
And I shiver in this wind
As it tears across the land

But the moon will rise again
And in night I have a friend
A painter with a gentle hand
In dreams my heart will mend

Weaver of stars
Spinner of sky
Dreamer of dark
Bringer of light

Naked, we are scarred
But stars rush in to fill
the aching wound
the tender parts

Weaver of stars…
…In the belly of the sun
Spinner of sky…
…From the wreckage of this world