On Christmas Eve we walk around - or dance around - the tree, hand in hand, and sing. Our only solstice song is in Danish, and the grandbabies are not learning Danish, so I wrote this for them. We also sing Christmas songs and psalms, but Yule was solstice long before it was Christmas. And it's nice to celebrate the return of the sun.
Lyrics
On the shortest day each year
in our northern hemisphere
The winter sky is gray and bleak
The winter sun so pale and weak
Is late to rise and soon to bed
In her golden winter sled.
Her canopy of rosy clouds
gives way to night and icy crowds
Of stars and constellations.
She does not linger here, instead
She brings the antipodes her light
For they have day while we have night
and summer weather warm and bright
for christmas celebrations.
While penguins frolic down below
We have night and frost and snow.
Polar bears won’t see the sun
Until winter’s dark is gone
But tonight the sun will start
Her return to our part
Of the world and here she’ll stay.
Linger longer every day
Growing strong and warm and red
Early rise and late to bed
she will banish dark and cold
and make winter lose its hold.
That is what the christmas tree
green and beautiful to see
In the midst of winter drear
Promises us every year
Spring will not forget to spring
All the little birds will sing
There’ll be butterflies and flowers
bright long days and summer showers.
And the polar bears will play
in the endless light of day
