DAMH THE BARD: Spirit of Albion

Damh the Bard

Spirit of Albion

© 2006 Damh the Bard (David Smith) (634479393914)

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Acoustic Bardic folk music by one of the UK's best musical storytellers. Pagan, Wiccan, Druid folk music - songs of the sacred land, and ancient mythology.

notes

The third CD from Damh the Bard.

The song Spirit of Albion was written in honour of the ancient Spirit of Britain. From the Highlands of Scotland, to the Moors of the West Country, from the Fens of East Anglia, to the peaks of Snowdon, Britain has its own spirit, regardless of the boundaries humans put on England, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall. To Damh Albion is an island to be celebrated. This is not a political song, but an anthem for the wilder places. Thought by many UK Pagans to be the true ‘national anthem’.

Taliesin was the Primary Chief Bard of the Island of the Mighty. Throughout history, like Merlin, there have been many Taliesin’s, leading scholars to believe that it was more a title than a name. In Taliesin’s poetry he tells of the Battle of the Trees, the quest by Arthur to find the cauldron of Annwn (later to be told as the quest for the Holy Grail). In this song Taliesin tells of his adventures.

When I become the Moon was written by the great songwriter Eliza Gilkyson. A beautiful song about the God and Goddess of the Land.

The Wheel is a love song between the old God and Goddess of Pagan lore. From the birth of the Horned God at the Winter Solstice, through their love at Beltane, and finally the offering he gives of his body (the corn) at Lughnasadh.

There are many songs about the Goddess, but this song tells of the Oak and Holly Kings and their battles at the times of the Solstice.

The Morrighan is the ancient Celtic Goddess of Battle. She is seen as the Raven who comes to strip the flesh from the bodies of fallen warriors, and to help lead them into the Otherworld. This song is sung by her, to us, asking why we keep sending her souls, is this world of war the world we truly want?

Save Me is a song about three people, all of whom have lost hope in their lives, but they look to the Universe for help, and they find that there is always hope. Always.

Oak Broom and Meadowsweet are the herbs that Gwydion the Enchanter and Math ap Mathonwy used to conjure the Goddess Blodeuwedd as a bride for the Sun God Lleu Llaw Gyffes in the story from the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogion. Her story continues in the songs Blodeuwedd, and Cloak of Feathers from Damh’s ‘Herne’s Apprentice’ album.

The Sun and the Rose is a plea of love, of holding out a hand to a lover, reaching for them, searching for them, and calling in the darkness so they can find you.

Domeanna is a old traditional Folk tune from Sussex in the UK. A typical ‘Sailor gets the posh girl’ song in the vein of the Raggle Taggle Gypsies.

Isis Unveiled is the story of Isis, Osiris, and Set.

The tune and lyrics for the Winter king came when standing on the granite cliffs of Cornwall’s rocky shore in Boscasle. The refrain was heard in the sound of the sea waves as they struck the shore.

Damh is a Bard whose spirituality is expressed through his music, storytelling and poetry. Drawing on the Bardic traditions his performances are both entertaining and educational, weaving a tapestry of myth, peace, and anthems that speak directly to the heart, but never without a good splash of humour. Damh works within that world of myth that cannot be proved; where the Faerie really do dance on Midsummer's Eve, where the trees talk, and the Hollow Hills take you into the realms of Annwn. Where the Goddess rides her horse, guiding you to magic, and the Horned God of old calls us from the shadows of the Greenwood.

reviews

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  • spirit of albion
    author: Debbie

    Fabulous artist, all his music is great....love the cd.

  • Spirit of Albion
    author: Janet White

    I hope Damh keeps on making incredible music like this! I almost love going to work in the morning because I can drive and listen to it all day long! Wonderful and joyous!

  • Beautiful.
    author: Annika Baty

    I've purchased every album by Damh, and each is worth every penny and more. An amazing CD!

  • author: Erica D'Alesandro

    Great album! I love all the songs - they are thoughtful and spiritual. I ended up buying all of Damh's albums!

  • Spirit of Albion
    author: Debbie

    I purchased this cd to get Noon of the Solstice that I heard on youtube. My only regret now is that is did not order more. Beautiful music, can't play it enough. All 12 songs are wonderful. I'll be back to order more. Thanks Damh.

  • Damh excellent music
    author: Adalia Shchurowsky

    It's a pleasure to listen to his voice and the stunning music he writes. There isn't a song on this album I don't like to hear.

  • Spirit of Albion
    author: Mindy Washington

    Damh's music is truly from the heart of his Druidic roots, and helps to inform in a non-invasive way the general public what Druidism is all about. And really, its all about relation. Or rather, Interrelation. But enough Druid-babble. His music keeps evolving, better with each new release and they are ALL great. If you haven't already listened, do it now!

  • Spirit of Albion
    author: Beverly King

    I'm a bodhran player, and I'm always looking for good music to play along with. As soon as I heard the title track on this CD, I knew I had to find it! Not only does it have many foot tapping, hand-clapping songs, but the lyrics are also beautiful and full of meaning. Damh, you do the bards of old proud!

  • author: laurs

    i really loved this...very soothing and moving.

  • Incredibly beautiful.
    author: Me

    I also have all three CDs. This one is absolutely beautiful.

  • The best CDs I have so far
    author: Heathclyff

    I heard a couple of Damh's songs and went ahead and purchased all 3 CDs. The music is terrifc, as too the lyrics. Listening to these CDs transports me to another time and a world that is seemingly lost but is here - simply ethereal. I highly recommend these CDs to all who like pagan / druidic music

  • wonderful !
    author: michelle

    The Spirit of Albion was difficult to get but VERY worth the wait ! I love it ! It absolutely fills me with the spirit of life and everything that means anything to me ! The only problem with the 3 CD's out are that there are only 3 ! The world needs more ! Beautiful!

  • Deep, powerful, evocative songs...
    author: Kira

    Damh's latest is so well-crafted, so many beautiful songs from the spring of the wisdom of the eath.

  • Best yet
    author: Justin Stephens

    I have all three cds of Damh's. This by far the best one yet. All three are a must get. Good job!!!!!

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