This song is weaving of an original song (swa wiccan taecad) and a traditional song (witches reel), and meant to be an invocative chant to honor the ancestors, a swirling procession of dancing hags, and an enchantment to activate us here now.
The phrase “swa wiccan tacecads” is Old English for “as the witches teach”.
Witches Reel was recorded in the 1591 North Berwick Witch Trials during the reign of King James VI of Scotland.
LYRICS
the witches…
and the witches will fly
and the witches will fly
and the witches will fly
in the night
the portal our body
the river our blood
through the door of our heart beat
in the cave of shimmering mud
swa wiccan taecad..
yes this is political
rise cunning woman
rise cunty hag
yes this is political
an empty bag is full of magic
say the wrong thing
say the wrong thing
do the wrong thing
do the wrong thing
yes this is political
for the people
for the people
to the ones who
take and take and take
extractive cannibal ghosts you are
make no mistake
we call a holy wave of worms
rising up to eat
recycle all the greed
oh Bless this feast
we cry tears of light
breathe breath of life
ancestors
won’t you rise
rise….
/
cummer gae ye before, cummer gae ye,
gin ye winna gae before, cummer let me,
ring-a-ring-a-widdershins
linkin lithely widdershins,
cummers carlin cron and queyn
roun gae we!
cummer gae ye before, cummer gae ye,
gin ye winna gae before, cummer let me,
ring-a-ring-a-widdershins
loupin’ lightly widdershins,
kilted coats and fleein’ hair
three times three!
cummer gae ye before, cummer gae ye,
gin ye winna gae before, cummer let me,
ring-a-ring-a-widdershins
whirlin’ skirlin’ widdershins,
de’il tak the hindmost
wha’er she be!
CREDITS
Vocals, midi, piano by Portia Richardson
Beats and synth by Jesse Whitney
Co-produced by Jesse Whitney and Portia Richardson
Mixed and mastered by Jesse Whitney
Cover art by Portia Richardson
Released on Bandcamp 10/11/22.