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Rune Songs Volume 2

by Cathy McManamon

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    The second volume completing the Rune Songs project in a 4-panel eco-wallet with art by Rebecca McManamon and liner notes.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Rune Songs Volume 2 via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
Bare Bones 04:31
I am the feather that flies Following the wind where'er it blows I am the blade of grass that bends and sways As prairie currents buffet hot and dry I am the bare bones left behind When words and deeds and time are at an end I am the essence I have always been When I break down enough to let you in I am the cone releasing seed When fire sweeps the forest carpet clean I am the gold that remains When torches burn away what is impure I am the bare bones... I am the soft, defenseless turtle Freshly hatched out of the egg I am the sand upon the shore Endlessly pounded in the waves I am the bare bones... I am the straight and hardy stalk That stands long after flowers fade I am the naked branches of the leafless tree In the silent dark of winter sleep I am the bare bones... I am the bare bones... I am the essence I have always been.
2.
Games 03:29
The ale flows freely, poets sing songs about great deeds The dancers revel, raising cups of mead Silent in the corner, the Wise One watches all Out comes the leather bag and the runes will fall Their meanings hidden in lines Their stories echoing time The past and present combine In the Wise One's eyes We strike a deal at the moment of our birth To take our chances while we walk this earth And in the distance the Wise One sees and knows Our days of fortune and our days of woe Life's meaning hidden in rhymes Connections there by design Our light and shadow combine And the Wise One smiles One day we'll remember the games we left behind That golden treasure, and we will find The secrets hidden inside The stories told now with pride A million pathways collide And the Wise One shines.
3.
Roots down, branches up Intertwining and protecting Roots down, branches up Elk sedge, sharp and biting As I stand with my arms outstretched Like the antlers of the Horned One I feel my shield surrounding me And I know there is naught that can breach here Roots down, branches up... I form my helm of protection I inscribe the sigils deeply I know my will shall hold it fast My armor is stronger than any fear Roots down, branches up... I see a grove of mighty trees That surround and stand as guardians They will protect anyone I choose When the doubt or darkness lingers near Roots down, branches up... I let in only benevolence I let in only Shining Ones If you should mean us any harm Begone! You are not welcome here Roots down branches up Intertwining and protecting Roots down, branches up Elk sedge, sharp and biting Roots down, branches up Roots down, branches up Roots down, branches up.
4.
Sol... Sunna... Fair Wheel... Everglow... Mundilfari's Daughter Odin set you in the heavens to rule the day And your brother Moon to rule the night Your light guides sailors as they cross the fishes' bath Beacon of hope as we make our way You are the spark of the Divine that lives in each of us We radiate your inner light Sol... Sunna... Fair Wheel... Everglow... Mundilfari's Daughter Your golden orb proclaims the dawn of breaking day Your golden shield protects us from the dark You illuminate all matters we must to attend Through Yggdrasil you will guide our way Light of Truth and Rune of Will, you smash through solid ice Demons of dark and doubt will shrivel away Sol... Sunna... Fair Wheel... Everglow... Mundilfari's Daughter Mundilfari's Daughter Mundilfari's Daughter Mundilfari's Daughter Shine bright... Shine bright... Shine bright.
5.
Tyr 01:34
Right direction finding Honor in the choosing All worlds in the branching Wisdom in the knowing All is in the list'ning Message in the speaking Journey from the dark into the light.
6.
White Birch 03:31
White birch, with unshakable roots White birch, sending out countless shoots White birch, crowned in leafy greens White birch, shining tree of dreams White birch Time to begin anew Choose what you're gonna do A brand new phase is due So to yourself be true White birch... May Bercha bless this seed And grant me all I need To make all fears recede And see this dream succeed White birch... And if the chaos comes I shall not be undone I stand in fertile ground My intention sound White birch... White birch... White birch.
7.
Horse and rider Horse and rider Horse and rider Aesir and Vanir Woman and man One common goal Reached hand in hand Cooperation Giving, taking Journey together Shaping, making.
8.
Mathr er manns gaman Man is the joy of man Mathr er manns gaman Man is the joy of man In Midgaard, the sons of Borr, From pair of trees Created of elm and ash Woman and man Odin gave breath and speech Hoenir gave senses Lothur gave blood and life-hue to them Mathr er manns gaman... Where is your gift? Where does it lie? Is it found in your hands Or your body or mind? Does it ring in your voice? Does it soar with your spirit? Or imagination the place it abides? Mathr er manns gaman... Where is your kin? Where is your clan? How does community Live in this land? Our shared mortality Cannot be denied So treasure the dear ones who dwell by your side Mathr er manns gaman Man is the joy of man Mathr er manns gaman Man is the joy of man.
9.
Steam and storm and waterfall Feel the pow'r within them all Deep in your blood you hear their call Steam and storm and waterfall The dawning sun will warm his river And misty shadows weave a magic spell The doors will open to the realms below Can we live with what we know? Steam and storm and waterfall... The midday sun upon her back It raises droplets from the mighty sea Winds of fury blow and the clouds release their rain Her endless cycles are the source of life Steam and storm and waterfall... When sun will sleep and moon wil shine The falling water soothes our souls Releasing all we need not hold The pools below are deep with wisdom Steam and storm and waterfall Feel the pow'r within them all Deep in your blood you hear their call Steam and storm and waterfall Steam and storm and waterfall Water flowing through us all Path of least resistance is our call Steam and storm and waterfall.
10.
Ride your wagon right over the waves Come to bless my fields in a special way Sympathetic magic is our sacred prayer When we join in the circle with Freyja and Freyr Spring is here and the land awakes Time for earthy fun and the magic it makes So flaunt your finery as we fuel the fire Dance until the dawn as we drown in desire Ride your wagon... Ancestry and a family Connection and a community A great river runs reaching into the past Feel the fabric of life when the circle is cast Ride your wagon... So relish life on the land and the fruits you find Choose with confidence 'cause your kinsmen are kind 'Twixt the Golden Twins in the twilight fair I will wait for you, you will find me there Ride your wagon... Ride your wagon... Uh-huh!
11.
Daybreak 03:10
Daybreak The sun begins to kiss the hillsides Dawn comes The fields, forests, and fjords brighten In its shining light Ended is the dark of the night Insight Boon of blessings here before you Thankful For moments that transcend the simple Dancing in gods' light All renewed and made right Daybreak The sun begins to kiss the hillsides Dawn comes The fields, forests, and fjords brighten In its shining light Ended is the dark of the night All renewed and made right.
12.
Home 02:37
Home is in the heart Home is by the hearth Home is where the soul can rest Land and clan and kin.

about

This completes the two-volume set project of 24 Rune Songs.

credits

released February 13, 2020

All songs written by Cathy McManamon.
Acoustic guitar, lead vocals - Cathy McManamon
Electric bass, harmony vocals - Jason Neerenberg
Cello - Betsy Tinney
Fiddle and additional cool stuff - Alexander James Adams
Vocal on "Horse and Rider" - Rebecca McManamon.

Recorded, engineered, and mastered by Alexander James Adams at Protective Pines Studios, Redmond, WA.

Graphic design and layout by Rebecca McManamon.

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about

Cathy McManamon Chicago, Illinois

Cathy is a singer/songwriter/guitarist/drummer in Chicago who occasionally performs solo, but more often in the Pegasus Award-winning duo Random Fractions (with Jason Neerenberg. She is the former drummer for the filk rock band Toyboat.

Cathy is also a studio musician and arranger for Canticles Productions & Dreamflight Theatrical Gymnastics, a drum circle facilitator, and a guitar teacher.
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