Lyke-Wake Dirge

(Traditional)
Listen to Lyke-Wake

This ae nighte, this ae night
Every nighte and all,
Fire and sleet and candle lighte,
May Earth receive thy soul.

When thou from hence away art passed,
Every nighte and all,
To Whinnie-moor thou com’st at last.
May Earth receive thy soul.

If ever thou gavest hosen or shoon,
Every nighte and all,
Sit thee down and put them on.
May Earth receive thy soul.

If hosen or shoon thou ne’er gavest nane,
Every nighte and all,
The whinnies shall prick thee to the bare bane.
May Earth receive thy soul.

From Whinnie-moor when thou art passed,
Every nighte and all,
To Brig o’ Dread thou com’st at last.
May Earth receive thy soul.

If ever thou gave of thy silver and gold,
Every nighte and all,
On Brig o’ Dread thou’lt find foothold.
May Earth receive thy soul.

If silver and gold thou ne’er gavest nane,
Every nighte and all,
Down thou’lt fall ’till the stars be gane.
May Earth receive thy soul.

From Brig ‘o Dread when thou art passed,
Every nighte and all,
To purging fire thou com’st at last.
May Earth receive thy soul.

If ever thou gave meat or drink,
Every nighte and all,
The fire shall never make thee shrink.
May Earth receive thy soul.

If meat or drink thou ne’er gavest nane,
Every nighte and all,
The fire shall burn thee to the bare bane.
May Earth receive thy soul.

This ae nighte, this ae nighte,
Every nighte and all,
Fire and sleet and candle lighte,
May Earth receive thy sou

Copyright © Michael Rauner