souls_of_the_departed Rhin * A Japanese tradition, is to celebrate the souls of the departed, by sending candle-lit lanterns out on the waterways leading to the ocean, sometimes in little boats. * Huge bonfires are lit, not only to mark the new year, but to warm the souls of the departed, during the Celtic All Souls Night celebrations. (The following lyrics, were written by Loreena McKennitt, and were inspired by the imagery, of these celebrations.) *All Souls Night* Bonfires dot the rolling hillsides Figures dance around and around To drums that pulse out echoes of darkness Moving to the Pagan sound. Somewhere in a hidden memory Images float before my eyes Of fragrant nights of straw and of bonfires And dancing till the next sunrise. I can see lights in the distance Trembling in the dark cloak of night Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing A waltz on All Souls Night. Figures of cornstalks bend in the shadows Held up tall as the flames leap high The green knight holds the Holly bush To mark where the old year passes by. I can see lights in the distance Trembling in teh dark cloak of night Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing A waltz on All Souls Night. Bonfires dot the rolling hillsides Figures dance around and around To drums that pulse out echoes of darkness And moving to the Pagan sound. Standing on the bridge that crosses The river that goes out to the sea The wind is full of a thousand voices They pass by the bridge and me. I can see lights in the distance Trembling in the dark cloak of night Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing A waltz on All Souls Night. 001220 what's it to you? who go blather from