Archive for February, 2012

Roman/Celtic history 101: Although Julius Caesar had led expeditionary forces to Britain in 55 and 54 BC, an actual full scale invasion did not occur until 43 AD. The Celtic tribes of Albion (as the Romans called Britain) had begun to revolt, and Rome needed to send a message. The first wave of invasion arrived at the southeastern coast of Kent. I can imagine what the tribes living in the area must have thought when they saw the thousands of legionnaires disembarking on their shore. This song is my interpertation of one man’s struggle and resistance to the Roman invasion. The Romans stayed for over 400 more years, creating a wonderful, hybrid Celto-Romano culture that we are still learning about from the historical record. BTW, evidence of Roman incursions to the Irish coast is only now coming to light, although the Romans didn’t seem to want to hang around Eire for too long! A fire burns on yonder hill Pagans painted in blue and white Ancient drumbeats, pipes call out Bring forth spirits in the night Mead and honey, ale and wine Moss stone altar, forest church Oak and beech, elm and pine Ghostly hue of whitest birch Theres a maiden that I know Hair of black and skin like snow Eyes of green, lips soft and warm A refuge from the coming storm Smell of wood-smoke, campfires burn My father said one day theyd come They wait not for the tide to turn They march out with the rising sun What where when and who we were Before our souls were bought and sold Before civilization came …