From: Albert-Lunde@nwu.edu (Albert Lunde)
Subject: Re: Name this song, please.
Followup-To: alt.pagan
Summary: Title "Burning Times" by Charlie Murphy on "Catch the Fire" 1981
Reply-To: Albert-Lunde@nwu.edu (Albert Lunde)
Organization: Ministry of Silly Walks
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 05:41:25 GMT

In article <4546@m1.cs.man.ac.uk> lilleyc@cs.man.ac.uk (Chris Lilley) writes:
>In article <911414p.32@ace.acadiau.ca> 911414p@ace.acadiau.ca (PIOTR CEZARY  PROSZYNSKI) writes:
>
>> A few months ago I was taping a CBC (Canadian)
>>radio-show; it so happened that I didn't listen to the tape for a while, 
>>but when I did I discovered that I accidentaly (or not) recorded an 
>>incredible pagan song, the best I have heard in a long time....
>
>I know of two versions; but neither sounds like the one you mention.
>
>a) by the yorkshire (uk) group Artizan, comprising two women and one man,
>singing in harmony (acapella - is that the right word) with no
>accompaniment (Hey I just listen to it, I don't know all the posh jargon
>  :) ) sorry don't remember the albums name but it was 1990-91 as I saw
>them doing songs from it in 1991. 
>
>b) by the irish singer Christy Moore, sung with bodhran and synthy backing
>in a strong irish accent. The album is "Smoke and Strong Whiskey' and is on
>Newberry records (CM0002/4)
>
>[...]
>OK, and bear in mind this is from memory and without a handy casette
>player!
>
>Chorus: 
>        Isis Asarte Diana Hecate Demeter Kali Innana
>        Isis Asarte Diana Hecate Demeter Kali Innana
>(chanted) - this appears in the back of Spiral Dance as I remember
>
>In the cool of the evening, they used to gather
>'neath the stars in the meadow circled near an old oak tree
>at the times appointed
>by the seasons of the earth, and the phases of the moon
>
>in the centre, often stood a woman
>equal with the others and respected for her worth
>one of the many we call the witches
>the healers and the teachers of the wisdom of the earth
>
>and the people grew in the knowlege she gave them
>herbs to heal their bodies, spells to make their spirits whole
>hear them chanting, healing incantations
>calling forth the wise ones, celebrating in dance and song
>
>        Isis Asarte Diana Hecate Demeter Kali Innana
>        Isis Asarte Diana Hecate Demeter Kali Innana
>
>
>there were those who came to power, through domination
>they were bonded in their worship to a dead man on a cross
>they sought control of the common people
>by demanding allegiance, to the church of rome
>
>and the pope declared the inquisition
>it was a war against the women whose power they feared
>in that holocaust against the nature people
>nine million european women died
>
>and the tales are told of those who, by the hundred
>holding together sought their deaths in the sea, while
>chanting the praises of the mother goddess
>in a refusal of betrayal, women were dying to be free
>
>        Isis Asarte Diana Hecate Demeter Kali Innana
>        Isis Asarte Diana Hecate Demeter Kali Innana
>
>now the earth is a witch! and we still burn her
>stripping her down with our mining and the poisons of our wars
>but to us, the earth is a healer, a teacher, a mother
>she's the weaver of the web of life that keeps us all alive
>she gives us the vision to see through the chaos
>she gives us the courage and the will to survive
>
>        Isis Asarte Diana Hecate Demeter Kali Innana
>        Isis Asarte Diana Hecate Demeter Kali Innana
>        Isis Asarte Diana Hecate Demeter Kali Innana
>        Isis Asarte Diana Hecate Demeter Kali Innana
>
>------------------------------oOo----------------------------
>
You've got the words essentially right. As far as I can tell the author
of the verses was Charlie Murphy. The song appears on his album
"Catch the Fire" (1981 Good Fairy Productions) with credits 
"by Charlie Murphy" and "Thanks to Deena Metzger for the Goddess
Chant", and "all selections BMI".

The title is "Burning Times".

Charlie was/is IMHO a very cool gay/feminist man who has done music with
a gay pagan feminist slant. I *think* his stuff is available thru
"Ladyslipper" the women's music distributors. (P.O. box 3124-R
Durhap NC 27715 (USA))
>
>[...] He also has 'courage, it is our will to survive' in the last
>line. I have heard it sung by radical/rabid feminists as 'the men still
>burn her' and with 'their' for 'our', putting the blame for spoiling the
>earth on (all) men and by implication assinging goddess awareness and
>eco-freinflyness to (all) women; while there is some merit in this approach
>I find it personally insulting and sexist. [...]

These alternate words are what's on the album.

-- 
 Albert Lunde         | Interfaith  |     *Y*Y*      "A branch on the
 Albert-Lunde@nwu.edu |  Bisexual   |      *Y*        tree of life"
 alunde@nuacvm.bitnet |  Feminist   |.......|.........................