13 Sleeps till Christmas

Ring Out Solstice Bells by Jethro Tull and written by their lead singer Ian Anderson was first released back in December 1976 and later released on the Album ‘Songs from the Woods’ in ’77.

The band formed in ’67 in the town of Blackpool in the north of England initially playing music in the style of blues rock and jazz fusion, developing their sound in time to incorporate elements of hard and folk rock, forming a progressive rock signature.

This little gem takes me back to my early career and the Christmas music played on store radios. Although busy times it made the day go quick and I appreciated my time off as I didn’t have so much back then. 

Ring Out Solstice Bells

Now is the solstice of the year
Winter is the glad song that you hear
Seven maids move in seven time
Have the lads up ready in a line

Ring out these bells
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells

Join together ‘neath the mistletoe,
By the holy oak whereon it grows
Seven druids dance in seven time
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming

Ring out these bells
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells

Ring out, ring out the solstice bells
Ring out, ring out the solstice bells

Praise be to the distant sister sun,

Joyful as the silver planets run
Seven maids move in seven time
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming

Ring out these bells
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out