The Winter Lady [Lyrics]
In the villages of the far north, the solstice is not one night, but three, without a glimpse of day in between. They call this the Great Night, but instead of despairing of the invariably cold and harsh weather, they light their hearths, fill their homes with candles, and sing songs loud enough to drown out the howls of the winds. A common theme among the varied folk beliefs is the "White Maiden" or "Winter Lady", sometimes given a fictional name and kingdom: Aurora of Hyperborea. During the Great Night, she comes from the north in a snow-cloak, to dance and feast with her court.
She is seen as a benevolent figure for bringing the sun back to the world, whether through her own power, or whether the beauty of her dance lures the sun back of its own volition. The renewal of the sun is symbolized in the traditions surrounding the Winter Lady, which vary, but often include feasts and gift-giving, and which stress forgiveness and reconciliation. (Notably, this helps to mend feuds before one of the most trying times of year, the late winter. Perhaps the gods are social philosophers?)
She is not wholly beneficent, however. There are tales of men and women caught up by her beauty and whisked away to her court after coming to close to her during her dance, and she has been said to punish those who refuse to give proper respect to the solstice. This aspect of her is not surprising, as nature-personifications are typically shown to be capricious to the foolish.
Regardless, if one must travel into the far north during the winter, I would advise one to plan to spend the "Great Night" there. The sight of a village, rounded smooth by snow yet glimmering with boughs and candles in every window, is not to be missed.
--Aldous Peryxmite, De vicis septentrionali regionum
The winter is coming so we'll sing out sweetly
With toes and hands frozen we'll be of good cheer
The blanket of darkness falls o'er us completely
On darkest of nights the White Maiden is here
O light all the candles to chase away darkness
And deck yourselves all up in crimson and gold
The finest of dresses and tunics of satin
Will make ourselves shimmer like heroes of old
Let the Great Night fall
As we gather by the fire
With our songs we'll call
The Winter Lady here
Her countenance shines like the first rays of morning
Her eyes are aglow with the moon's gentle light
Forgiveness she grants with the touch of her mantle
That kings' hearts and beggars' be as one this night
With houses bedecked all with bay and with laurel
We'll open our doors up to all who come near
Now pass round the cup and let's start up a carol
And sing we so sweet the White Maiden will hear
Let the Great Night fall
As we gather by the fire
With our songs we'll call
The Winter Lady here
Each winter she strikes through the whirling of blizzards
Each winter she comes with the sun in her wake
To dance in the moonlight of deep winter solstice
Until the first sunlight of morning does break
Come down from your palace and make us all joyful
O dance here among us as we hail the sun
Unconquered this winter, for now and forever
Upon each year's ending 'till all years are done
Let the Great Night fall
As we gather by the fire
With our songs we'll call
The Winter Lady here
Fore the new sunrise
She'll feast and dance and caper
O both fool and wise
Fear the Winter Lady's court