Lyr Req: Mari Lwyd (Hugh Lupton)

Subject: Mari Lwyd song by Hugh Lupton
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 04:47 AM

This query concerns a new song by Chris Wood on the CD 'Ghosts' by the English Acoustic Collective. It's about the Mari Lwyd and the words are by Hugh Lupton. It's a very spooky, wonderful song. I'm enquring whether anybody knows where I can find the lyrics/words to this song/poem. An outline of the theme is in the sleeve notes of the CD, but no words.
Thanks anyone who can help.

Subject: RE: Mari Lwyd song by Hugh Lupton
From: Splott Man
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 07:12 AM

There's a lot of info on the Mari Arts website on www.folkwales.org.uk/ and follow the links.

Good luck

Subject: RE: Mari Lwyd song by Hugh Lupton
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 07:49 AM

No lyrics on Hugh Lupton's site either but lots of information about his collaborations with Chris Wood and others.

He is the most inspiring and mesmerising storyteller and always willing to discuss his work. You might try emailing him from the site.

Subject: RE: Mari Lwyd song by Hugh Lupton
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 08:44 AM

Thanks to both of you. I found some information on Mari Lwyd on the Mari Arts site. I also looked on Hugh's site before I asked my question here, and found it so fascinating. I have now e-mailed him and will await a reply.

Subject: RE: Mari Lwyd song by Hugh Lupton
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 03:33 AM

Pleased to report I have had a reply from Hugh Lupton, with the complete poem attached. Which has brightened up my day.

Subject: RE: Mari Lwyd song by Hugh Lupton
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 03:44 AM

Could you post it, please?

Subject: RE: Mari Lwyd song by Hugh Lupton
From: Raedwulf
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 02:23 PM

I'm not surprised - I know Hugh, wonderful chap, & absolutely fabulous storyteller!

Subject: Lyr Add: MARI–LWYD (Hugh Lupton)
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 03:57 PM

Here it is. (I didn't want to do it without being asked as I thought it might be too big and annoy people.)

MARI–LWYD

The Hodening Hoss, the Marbury Dun,
Old Bone-face the deathless am I,
Heavy with foal two thousand years,
Bridled with sorrow,
Saddled with fear,
I canter through pastures of tremble and quake,
I gallop the track between sleep and awake
Seeking the deep of welcome
And stint for my tears.
Let me in!

The Mare-headed Queen, the Mari-Lwyd,
I was mother of all the herds.
Ten thousand years my shining foals,
Bridled with starlight,
Saddled with gold,
Leapt the divide between living and dead,
Quickened the year with each toss of the head,
Galloped the deep of beauty
And never grew old.
Let me in!

But Mother of God, the Mary Mild,
The pregnant Maiden came,
Bursting with Jehovah seed
She entered my stable
And cried out her need.
With ropes I was dragged from the birthing straw,
Aching with foal I was heaved to the door,
Swapping warmth for bitter weather
And birth of a rival creed.
Let me in!

And now I am nightmare, I am rattling womb,
The Uffington wraith I've become,
Forced into darkness you've made me a fiend,
Bridled with shadow,
Saddled with scream,
From window to window traversing the night,
My face in your glass in a shudder of light,
Seeking that deep of welcome
Befitting a Queen.
Let me in once again,
Let me in!

In parts of South Wales, the Mari-Lwyd (Grey Mare) is still carried from house to house between Christmas and Twelfth Night. She is a beribboned mare's skull, and will only be let into the house if the company carrying her can outwit the inmates in a riddling contest. The legend behind the custom is that Mari-Lwyd was cast out of the Bethlehem stable into the cold night to make room for a more a more prestigious Mary to give birth to a more prestigious child, ever since she has roamed the world searching for a place to give birth to her colt.

Subject: RE: Mari Lwyd song by Hugh Lupton
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 04:03 PM

Thank you very much, it's a wonderful poem (and if anybody is annoyed, can they take it up with me because I asked...)

Subject: RE: Mari Lwyd song by Hugh Lupton
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 04:08 PM

Thank you for that,as i have been out with our Mari Lwyd and its appreciated that you put a piece on the end of your thread about South Wales and our horse.
Thank you again Mrs_ Annie.