Zoe Mulford: Music

• MP3 play whole song, hi-fi (broadband)
• MP3 play whole song, lo-fi (modem)

This track is from Bonfires (Azalea City Recordings 2009). The song was originally written for Hudson Harding's Happy Holidays Sampler #1.

It features Tom Fairbairn (fiddle), Cheryl Prashker (percussion) and Al Parrish (bass).

The song draws on a variety of new year's customs including those of China, Iran, and the Celtic pagan tradition.

Build up the bonfires - Now the seasons turn
Welcome in another year and let the old one burn
Build up the bonfires, light the candles bright
All the hungry spirits will be coming by tonight.

Light the bonfires;
another year has flown
Gather friends around you
Don’t spend the night alone
Sweep out the courtyard
to greet the coming year
Lay a handsome table
Your visitors are here

Build up the bonfires - Now the seasons turn
Welcome in another year and let the old one burn
Build up the bonfires, light the candles bright
All the hungry spirits will be coming by tonight.

Here come your sorrows,
all your old regrets
every broken promise
and every unpaid debt
Perched on your shoulder
yearning toward the flame
Pour them a glass of whiskey
and greet them all by name

Build up the bonfires - Now the seasons turn
Welcome in another year and let the old one burn
Build up the bonfires, light the candles bright
All the hungry spirits will be coming by tonight.

Now make them welcome
Offer them release
Offer them atonement
and pray they may find peace
Give them your blessing
but do not let them stay
Beat on the cans and the pots and pans
and send them on their way

Build up the bonfires - Now the seasons turn
Welcome in another year and let the old one burn
Build up the bonfires, light the candles bright
All the hungry spirits will be coming by tonight.