Today is Candlemas Eve and it is also Septuagesima, the start of the pre-Lent season. This year the time between Christmas and Easter is especially short. I stumbled across this lovely medieval carol:
Now have good day, now have good day!
I am Christmas, and now I go my way.
Here have I dwelt with more and less
From Hallowtide till Candlemas,
And now must I from hence you pass;
Now have good day!
I take my leave of king and knight,
And earl, baron, and lady bright;
To wilderness I must me dight;
Now have good day!
And of the good lord of this hall
I take my leave, and of guests all;
Methinks I hear Lent doth call;
Now have good day.
I was also delighted to discover that Kate Rusby has set the beautiful Robert Herrick's Candlemas poem to music on her album: Sweet Bells.
We have enjoyed listening to Rusby's album whilst taking down the Christmas lights which have given us light during the very dark January days.