Pagan Yuletide songs have a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. These songs were sung during the celebration of Yule, an ancient pagan festival honoring the winter solstice. Yule marked the turning point of the year, when the days began to lengthen and the sun grew stronger. In pagan cultures, this was seen as a time of renewal and the rebirth of the sun god. Pagan Yuletide songs were an integral part of the festivities surrounding Yule. They were sung to invoke the spirits, celebrate the changing of the seasons, and honor the gods and goddesses of nature.
They were sung to invoke the spirits, celebrate the changing of the seasons, and honor the gods and goddesses of nature. These songs often incorporated traditional melodies and lyrics that had been passed down through generations. They were believed to hold spiritual power and to connect the singers with the natural world.
Yule Songs for Pagans
Finding Yule songs suitable for Pagans is hard. With a lot of help from my online friends, I’ve compiled a couple of lists of non-Christian Yule songs in different languages for you. If you’re Pagan or Heathen, this is another way to feel more authentic about the way you celebrate your holidays. To me, feeling authentic to who I am is important, and I don’t feel right about using Christian Yule songs. I find myself humming and singing along with the songs of the season, and having the ‘wrong’ songs stuck in my head is bloody annoying. Others don’t care as much, but that’s their business. I’m not saying it’s for everyone.
Anyway, here are the lists:
Norwegian
På loven sitter Nissen
Det var reven og råtta og grisen
Når nettene blir lange
Bjelleklang
Jeg så mamma kysse nissen
Julekveld i skogen
Julenissen kommer i kveld
Musevisa
Rudolf er rød på nesen
Snømannen Kalle
Hei hå nå er det jul igjen
Reven rasker over isen
Alle sanger på Vårres jul (Hans Rotmo)
Lydsporet fra Jul I Valhall
Swedish
Räven raskar över isen
Hej tomtegubbar
Anders Perssons stuga står i ljusan låga
Bjällerklang
Goder afton
Jag såg mamma kyssa tomten
Lusse Lelle
Nu är det jul igen
Nu har vi ljus här i vårt hus
Rudolf med röda mulen
Tomtarnas julnatt
Tre pepparkaksgubbar
Mer Jul
Danish
På loftet sidder nissen med sin julegrød
Juletræet med sin pynt
Højt fra træets grønne top
Rudolf
Søren banjomus
Julen sig nærmer
Sikken voldsom trængsel og alarm
Nu er det jul
English
Deck the halls
Here comes the sun
White wine in the sun
Jingle bells
Let It Snow
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Christmas Song
Winter Wonderland
Santa Claus is Pagan Too
Snow by Loreena McKennitt
Firedance: Songs for Winter Solstice by Jaiya
Beautiful Darkness, Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Jessica Radcliffe, Lisa Ekström & Martin Simpson
A Winter Celebration by various artists
Thanks to the people of Åsatrufellesskapet Bifrost, Den Hedenske Mødregruppe and Brainwise on Twitter for their help.
I’m the kind of person that I truly listen to ALL Winter music including the religious, secular, and pagan. But there are many pagans who prefer to exclude the religious Christmas music and that’s great too. You should build a Yule song playlist that fits your preferences. Your playlist might end up having pagan Yule songs made by pagan artists AND secular Christmas songs. OR it might be purely pagan Yule music with nothing else. It’s totally up to you.
One of the most well-known Pagan Yuletide songs is "The Holly and the Ivy." This song dates back to medieval times and is still sung today. It tells the story of the holly and the ivy, two plants that were symbols of the winter season. The holly represented the masculine energy of the sun, while the ivy represented the feminine energy of the earth. This song is often performed during Yule celebrations and is said to bring blessings and good fortune. Another popular Pagan Yuletide song is "The Wexford Carol." This song originated in Ireland and is believed to have pagan roots. It tells the story of the birth of Jesus and incorporates themes of the changing seasons and the cyclical nature of life. The Wexford Carol is often performed during Yule celebrations and is said to bring harmony and joy. Pagan Yuletide songs continue to be sung and enjoyed in modern times. They provide a connection to ancient traditions and remind us of the importance of honoring the cycles of nature. These songs are a beautiful way to celebrate Yule and to connect with the spiritual energy of the winter season..
Reviews for "Pagan Yuletide Songs: A Journey through Time and Culture"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Pagan yuletide songs". I was expecting catchy and festive tunes to get me in the holiday spirit, but instead, I found most of the songs to be underwhelming and monotonous. The lyrics were repetitive and lacked the charm I was hoping for. Overall, I felt like I wasted my money on this album.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I cannot express how much I disliked "Pagan yuletide songs". The songs were so strange and obscure that I couldn't connect with them at all. I was expecting some creative twists on traditional holiday songs, but instead, I got a collection of tunes that were bizarre and off-putting. This album definitely did not enhance my yuletide celebrations.
3. James - 2.5 stars
"Pagan yuletide songs" was not what I expected. While I appreciate the idea of exploring different cultural traditions, the execution fell flat for me. The songs were overly experimental and lacked a cohesive sound. It felt more like a compilation of random sounds rather than a curated album. Some tracks were interesting, but overall, I did not enjoy the listening experience.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I was optimistic about "Pagan yuletide songs", hoping it would offer a unique and refreshing holiday music experience. Unfortunately, I found the songs to be offbeat and lacking in melody. It was difficult to find enjoyment in the album as a whole. I appreciate the attempt to explore non-traditional holiday music, but this particular collection missed the mark for me.
5. Michael - 1.5 stars
"Pagan yuletide songs" left me feeling bewildered and confused. The songs were so unfamiliar and disconnected from the holiday season that I couldn't find any relevance or enjoyment in them. I understand the desire to showcase different cultural traditions, but this album failed to resonate with me. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for festive or uplifting holiday music.