The May Queen and her Jack in the Green (Beltane, Glastonbury 2024)

 The May Queen and her Jack in the Green


Blessed union;

Oh May Queen and your Jack in the Green,

Come with colour, paint the scene;

Leaves unfurl and blossom bloom

Life spring forth o' Earth Mother's' womb.


Oh fertile be the lands of Summer

Levels flood but riseth never

To the top o' Glastonbury Tor.


For Avalon, a portal-door

To all the lands ancient holds fast, 

Greens the Men, breathes song, spells cast:


"Air my breath & fire my spirit

Earth my body, water my blood"*


Traditions here be grown on trees

Then danced around by maidens, freed,

Of modern ways,

Oh May Queen days! 


Maypole ribbons intertwine,

Drum beats, hearts beat,

Yours and mine.


A Wensley

3.05.2024

*the song of the green men as they carry the pole...credit to the songwriter https://youtu.be/Gpdn13HL9vI?si=1vsBFISlrziXjvVn



Comments

  1. Angela WensleyApril 30, 2025 at 4:08 PM

    New version produced as a lyrical ballad for submission to Jawbone Journal Issue 1: The May Queen and her Jack in the Green
    (A Lyrical Ballad)

    Blessed union. Blessed be.

    (The Beltane air ripples with the sound of distant voices as the Green Men approach…)
    "Air my breath & fire my spirit
    Earth my body, water my blood"

    O May Queen and your Jack in the Green,
    Come with colour, paint the scene;
    Leaves unfurl and blossoms bloom
    Life spring forth o' Earth Mother's' womb!

    "Air my breath & fire my spirit
    Earth my body, water my blood"

    O fertile be the lands of Summer
    Sprouting forth the withies whisper
    Levels flood but riseth never
    O’er the top o' Glastonbury Tor

    "Air my breath & fire my spirit
    Earth my body, water my blood"

    This Avalon, a portal-door
    To all the lands ancient holds fast,
    Greens the Men,
    Breathes song, spells cast:

    "Air my breath & fire my spirit
    Earth my body, water my blood”

    Traditions here be grown on trees
    Then danced around by maidens, FREED -
    Of modern ways…
    O May Queen days!

    "Air my breath & fire my spirit
    Earth my body, water my blood"

    Maypole ribbons intertwine,
    Drum beats, hearts beat,
    Yours and mine.

    "Air my breath & fire my spirit
    Earth my body, water my blood"
    (Repeat forever – never fade out)

    A Wensley
    Revised version – 30/4/25

    ReplyDelete

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