Io Saturnalia!

Saturnalia Song, Day One

I’ll sing you this day–
Ave Antinoe!

What sing you this day?
Ave Ave Antinoe
Haec est unde vita venit!

I’ll sing this first day–
Ave Antinoe!

What’s sung this first day?
Ave Saturne, Rex Sacrorum
Ave Ave Antinoe
Haec est unde vita venit!

*****

You know that one from last year…now, here’s a new one for this day (or any of the seven days of Saturnalia you’d like!)! And, it has a tune–and one I didn’t steal, one I wrote while I was writing it! Perhaps I’ll record it in the near future…?!?

Saturnalia

Come join me at the table
both gods and titans true
pure priests, cleaners of stables
and slaves and masters, too;

This is the feast of Saturn
the god of sowing seed–
but things now take a mad turn
as all men’s souls are freed.

Now teachers learn from students
and dancers rest their feet,
the drunkard soon turns prudent
and the braggart seems discreet…

But look out for the quiet ones
the sober and the silen ones
that now are loud and violent ones
when Saturn’s crowns they greet!

So sing a song of sowing
the joys of Saturn’s gifts
when cold dark winds are blowing
while white snow falls in drifts;

Good Sterculinus’ brother
and Picus’ father dear
presides like king–no other!–
on isles of joy and cheer…

Now ring your bells for Saturn
and share a cup of wine
with elders, youths, and ancestors
this Saturnalia time…

And fear not for the quiet ones
the sober and the silent ones
who in these seven nights of fun
are drunk on song and rhyme…

No, fear not for the quiet ones
the sober and the silent ones
who in these seven nights of fun
are drunk on song and rhyme!