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kniteracyTribute
John Langstaff, who founded The Christmas Revels, died on Tuesday. He was 84. There's a little notice and obituary over at trad folk.
One of the highlights of the time I spent in Boston was the two times I got to see the original Revels, and the bright memory of Langstaff singing "Lord of the Dance" at 75, during a performance in the Revels' 25th Anniversary year stands out inside that beautiful experience.
Langstaff published several books of Revels songs. These were among the first books of traditional seasonal songs I ever got my hands on.
I will post this poem again on the winter solstice: I always do. This is the poem Susan Cooper wrote for the Christmas Revels, which she was a part of for many years and which her children still take part in from time to time.
The Shortest Day
And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, revelling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And now so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!
Susan Cooper
May the voices of all the people you taught to sing those songs speed your journey, John.
EDIT: Here is a thoughtful obituary.
John Langstaff, who founded The Christmas Revels, died on Tuesday. He was 84. There's a little notice and obituary over at trad folk.
One of the highlights of the time I spent in Boston was the two times I got to see the original Revels, and the bright memory of Langstaff singing "Lord of the Dance" at 75, during a performance in the Revels' 25th Anniversary year stands out inside that beautiful experience.
Langstaff published several books of Revels songs. These were among the first books of traditional seasonal songs I ever got my hands on.
I will post this poem again on the winter solstice: I always do. This is the poem Susan Cooper wrote for the Christmas Revels, which she was a part of for many years and which her children still take part in from time to time.
The Shortest Day
And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, revelling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And now so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!
Susan Cooper
May the voices of all the people you taught to sing those songs speed your journey, John.
EDIT: Here is a thoughtful obituary.
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no subject
Date: 2005-12-15 05:37 pm (UTC)ohh...
:(
no subject
Date: 2005-12-15 07:53 pm (UTC)He was a gentleman, and a lovely one at that.
*Sniff*
I shall play my Revels CDs and think of him.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-15 08:10 pm (UTC)Thank you for forwarding the news.
*goes to put on Revels CD and email Shira*
no subject
Date: 2005-12-15 09:31 pm (UTC)*raises a glass*
"They carol, feast, give thanks & dearly love their friends, & hope for Peace. And so do we, this year & every year."
*sobs*
no subject
Date: 2005-12-22 11:01 pm (UTC)