Winifred Hodge Rose
Back to the oldest times for which we have pictorial and written records, Heathens have worshipped the power of the Sun. Northern tradition recognizes the Sun as Sunna, a Goddess of light, reflecting the life-giving warmth and light that blesses the northern lands, and for which they yearn, during the cold, dark days of winter. In medieval times in Northern Europe, large wooden wheels were sometimes constructed and wrapped with straw, then set alight and rolled flaming down hillsides to celebrate the Solstices or the Sun-wendings: the turning of the year and the changing positions of the sun. This song in honor of Sunna can be sung to celebrate both Yule, the winter solstice or Sun-wending, and Litha, the summer Sun-wending. It can be read as a poem, or sung to the tune of the traditional English “Sussex carol.” The word ‘weal’ in the third verse is an old word for ‘well-being.’
Here is the score for the Sussex carol: https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/images/c/c8/Sussex_Carol_-_Full_Score.pdf You can search on “Sussex carol” online to listen to this song and learn the tune that way, if you wish, or simply recite it as a poem.
1. O Sunna bright, your turning flame
Rolls down the hills where Gods once came.
They come again, their mighty names
Are beams of light from Sunna’s flames.
Come one, come all unto the call:
Come Gods, come Goddesses and folk, all!~~
2. O Sunna clear, your radiant might
Has marked our deepest wisdom-sight.
Midwinter, midsummer, gladness and tears:
You turn the corners of all our years.
Come one, come all unto the call:
Come Gods, come Goddesses and folk, all!~~
3. O Sunna shining, flame of our soul,
Enkindled, enlightened, we are made whole.
The Needfire’s smoke of summer does heal,
While Yule-log’s blessing brings us weal.
Come one, come all unto the call:
Come Gods, come Goddesses and folk, all!~~
4. O Sunna golden, strength of the land,
We reach toward you with upraised hands.
Our light of life, our sigil of might,
Your power shines holy in Heathen sight!
Come one, come all unto the call:
Come Gods, come Goddesses and folk, all!~~