Mari Lwyd

[@KrisHughes]

ONLINE CLASSES: Intro to Celtic Mythology starts 4th January tinyurl.com/ICM25 Rashiecoats starts 15th January tinyurl.com/rashie25 Tales of the Old North starts 29th Jan. PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN tinyurl.com/TON25 PLEASE support me on Ko-fi! (or take a class). With the political and economic uncertainty at the moment, my teaching income has dropped. Please support me on Ko-fi at: ko-fi.com/krishughes Thanks! You can always find out about upcoming classes at: tinyurl.com/GDclasses

[@sammyhill69]

Thank you for posting this mysterious, haunting, and achingly beautiful story, legend and song.

[@DanceOrDie96]

astonishingly beautiful/anhygoel. I am so proud of my home country. mor falch i cael fy magu yma. it is such a magical place. cymru am byth 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@brittanybecker170]

Come in, poor mother. Come rest, come eat and drink. I have little but I will share.

[@no_peace]

☹️

[@samueltrusik3251]

Lord Barleycorn sent me here to listen to this masterpiece. Simply chilling.

[@gauchesuedo]

Sad that it hasn't been updated in ages

[@corpselight7989]

There's something so beautifully captivating about the Mari Lwyd.

[@KrisHughes]

Yes, indeed!

[@jonaden9178]

The melancholy of that which is lost, beautiful, thank you.

[@occam3064]

I like to interpret the song and the story itself to be an allegory of the shift from paganism to Christianity. The song mentions how the Mari Lwyd was immoral, living 10-thousand years, in the in-between of the living and dead. "Mother of Herds" sounds like a epithet for Mari Lwyd. It is clear that Mari Lwyd is portrayed as some kind of pagan deity. The Mari Lwyd was covered in "Bridled with Starlight, Saddled with Gold" is a sign of being praised and worshiped. But this changes when the Virgin Mary comes into her stable with the son of God. As a result, the Mari Lwyd was dragged out of the stable and cast out into the night. I believe this is representing how pagan beliefs and deities were replaced with Christ. The "Birth of a rival Creed" makes this clear in my eyes, the birth of Christianity being a rival religion. Now the Mari Lwyd wanders the night, described as a horrific entity, "Bridled with Sorrow, Saddled with Scream". Pagan entities in modern time are no longer worshiped by the people, instead, ignored and feared as something horrific. For example, the story of Odin's hunt and the Einherjar ridding through the night became warped through time to become the terrifying Wild Hunt. Other pagan rituals were seen as demonic or evil, those performing them became outcasts. What aches my heart is the Mari Lwyd's refrain. "Let me in", begging to be accepted once more, to receive that sense of belonging and worship.

[@cintaratna6083]

"Pagan entities in modern time are no longer worshiped by the people" That's where you are wrong, paganism is literally on the raise right now, its the top 1 increasing religion in the baltic countries(Romuva and Dievturiba) for example.

[@Gentry1753]

"Pagan entities in modern times are no longer worshiped by the people" Do you live under a rock?

[@davemathews5446]

I totally agree with your interpretation of this song. The ancient ways were cast out and demonized, but the people still found a way to remember and honor their heritage.

[@davemathews5446]

Sorry, was trying to respond to the original comment.....

[@carolinecholmodeley8719]

Thank you .

[@MrJamie1957]

Hello Kris Hughes, Thank you for this posting, haunting and beautiful. I am currently in a Mari Lwyd troupe performing this tradition on stage in Cambridge, MA with The Christmas Revels celebrating Christmas in Wales this year.

[@marylong7200]

I know this is an old post, but wondering about the performance in Cambridge, MA. Will there be any other performances there or elsewhere this year?

[@rachelcosgrove2048]

Thank you, Kris Hughes for teaching and sharing the legend and song. I'm deeply moved. This story is part of my heritage and I'm grateful that it lives on through you, one who has truly let her in. With love ..... ♡

[@KrisHughes]

Blessings, Rachel!

[@VirgoArtsOfficial]

The fact that this isn’t on any music app is criminal

[@Jekanadar]

Stumbled upon this video searching for "rap battle with horse scull" because someone on Facebook mentioned a christmas tradition she can't remember very well. Until now I thought, the nordic Julcat is the scariest thing I met. I Love this song. And I would let her in. Drink, eat we have enough. Bring your friends. You only have to take the leftovers with you.

[@franciscofranco9641]

Mari Lwyd is an evil pagan deity who believes herself equal to the Most Holy Virgin, her song is nothing but a set of lies to trick you into accepting her. That is the point of the ritual to symbolize that Christianity no longer accepts the brutality of Paganism, it's works, and all it's empty promises.

[@Jekanadar]

@@franciscofranco9641 I personally find those pagan traditions way more interesting. Have you ever read Hogfather by Terry Pratchett? It's always about blood. That is the oldest form of magic. And sometimes, in a cruel and randomly acting world... Humans need some things to rely on. Even if it tis the belief of a fat man rushing down the chimney, rap battling a horse for milk and cookies and spill some blood on the snow to make sure the sun will rise again for another year.

[@erw3387]

Beautiful, haunting song. I've been pagan since birth and researched Celtic traditions and myth for many years, but never knew about Mari Lwyd until now. The tale seems a perfect analogy for Christianity appropriating our ancestral traditions and destroying the indigenous way of life of many parts of the world.

[@KrisHughes]

It's a beautiful tradition. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@ZemanTheMighty]

Esme W I thought the same thing. It sounds like an analogy.

[@humbertogatica6420]

"Let me in" Diolch for sharing this haunting song

[@gauchesuedo]

The Hodening Hoss, the Marbury Dun Old Bone-Face the Deathless am I Heavy with foal, two thousand years Bridled with sorrow Saddled with fear I canter through pastures of tremble and quake I gallop the track between sleep and awake Seeking the deep of welcome And stint for my tears. The Mare-Headed Queen, the Mari-Lwyd I was mother of all of the herds Bridled with starlight Saddled with gold I leapt the divide between living and dead I quickened each year with a toss of my head Seeking the deep of beauty And never grew old. But Mother of God, the Mary Mild The pregnant Virgin came Bursting with Jehovah seed Entered my stable, cried out her need With rope I was dragged from the birthing straw Aching with foal I was heaved to the door Swapping warmth for bitter weather And the birth of a rival creed. So now I'm nightmare, I'm rattling Womb The Uffington Wraith I've become Forced into dark, you've made me a fiend Bridled with shaddow Saddled with scream From window to window, traversing the night My face in your glass in a shudder of light Seeking the deep of welcome Let me in once again Let me in. Since the lyrics aren't quite accurate to the poem, here's what the vocalist sings.

[@KrisHughes]

Yes, I used what Hugh Lupton originally wrote, as opposed to what Chris sings. I figured - best of both worlds, but it's probably confusing.

[@qrangejuice8225]

A haunting lament for a dead god. Let her in...

[@franciscofranco9641]

Do not be fooled, everything she says is a lie. That is the point of the ritual.

[@WildMen4444]

@faerynrayn5236 Why so stingy?

[@TheBurningManLives]

​@@franciscofranco9641 No, francis. It's not the point of the ritual. You're just scared.

[@priestessliletheudora432]

This song is about Christianity taking over the Pagan Welsh. Ive listened to this song 100s of times, and just now, it clicked.

[@KrisHughes]

Definitely part of the story, but not the whole story, I think.

[@priestessliletheudora432]

@@KrisHughes I agree! The history of the Isles is far too complicated for it to be just that. The symbolism of the horse, and using the Chist birthing story as a way to show how the horse was pushed out. Just a wraith or lost soul, demonized or shunned by no fault of its own. Thats just the way I thought of this song, this particular time I listened. I get a child like joy of finding something new, in something so familiar

[@rhisiartmorgan3997]

Y Fari Lwyd or the Grey Mare is originally from De Cymru or South Wales based on the Mabinogi branches of our ancient text, Rhiannon not Epona. It is a Tradition from Gwent and Glamorgan but now performed all of Cymru and England. Gwent and Glamorgan is Silure country who according to time team believe built Côr y Cewri ( Chor of the Giants) (Saesneg: Stonehenge),

[@rhisiartmorgan3997]

We also perfrom Yr Hela'r Dryw the killing of the Wren, another South Walian tradition not performed any where else but may be now because of the Mari revival?

[@cintaratna6083]

Epona is an Epithet of Rhiannon my dude, whose name in old Brythonic was Rigantona.

[@elizabethdalton388]

A moving and wonderful experience - attending the Solstice Ritual at Bryn Celli Ddu on Sunday last. Thankyou Kris. Elizabeth (Nottingham)

[@josecarioca8785]

I really wanna start a Mari Lwyd tradition in my hometown. I will start talking about it with some friends and see how far we will go. The difficult part will be getting that horse skull. Maybe a cow's will suffice.

[@benedictjlarkin9296]

You can order a paper kit from the lottery heritage fund, or try a whip round for a cheaper plastic resin horse skull.

[@zoazede2098]

Do it yourself with plastic arts until you can get a real mare skull, but don't ever use another animals skull, that would be disrespectful to her*

[@LouisGaufridiSorcerer]

Welsh Folk Customs by Trefor M. Owen is a good read regarding the tradition of the Mari Lwyd or Magpie. There is a further tradition that spans a week long, and throughout the year. The whole of the custom and rituals tells an old story of the year and keeps the spirits of the land abided. This tradition can be seen in many Celtico-Albion cultures. Remains of it have been found that goes back 4,000 years. The Mari Lwyd or The Horse of Mary has less to do with Mary mother of Christ, but more to do with the Fea People and the King and Queen of the Land, Sea and Sky. The horse or oss itself being a spirit rider.

[@KrisHughes]

The Trefor Owen book is great.

[@DaisiMaiOui]

memories rising from earth to my heart

[@GeorgiaGeorgette]

That's exactly how I feel.

[@Crowborn]

Thank you for posting! This is such a beautiful tradition

[@violet-yh5kt]

i’m here from sam o’nella and after looking at some pictures of mari lwyd, as a horse lover it was a little creepy to me but this is such a pretty song

[@franciscofranco9641]

What Mari Lwyd is singing is a lie, she is attempting to trick the homeowner into letting her in so she may be worshipped once again. Do not be fooled, she is a selfish beast who believes herself to be above God and the Most Holy Virgin. The point of the ritual is to symbolize that Christianity no longer accepts the brutality of Paganism, it's works, and all it's empty promises.

[@ughgross1258]

This song always brings me to tears. I'm pagan because my ancestors couldn't be..

[@Breizhe]

I saw this comment a long time ago, and I dwelled on it for quite a while. I don't know if I can even call myself Pagan, because I'm not certain I can recapture what once was. I mourn for what the gods were, and I weep for what my great x10 grandmothers and grandfathers couldn't be. How does one even re-realize it without feeling like they're pretending? Let me in once again - what a relevant line, eh?

[@ughgross1258]

@@Breizhe I know what you mean. A lot of times when I practice rituals for the sabbats, I can't help but feel like I'm just dressing up and "playing pagan". The thing is, is that we may never know how many of the original customs and rituals were practiced. There are still many historians that skew pagan discoveries to bastardize the faith and uphold the misconception that they were all murderous barbarians. The best thing we can do in our modern age is create our *own* rituals inspired by what we know about the past. Put our own little twists on things based on what part of the world you live in, what your own familial or ethnic traditions already are and whether or not it's safe to openly practice in the community you live in. A big part of paganism is that it's not an organized religion with strict rules and rituals that *need* to practiced in order to be a "true believer". So yea, the best thing we can do is practice however we feel honors the gods and ourselves, being open and accepting to other beliefs that come from different faiths and not gatekeeping what "is" or "is not" pagan.

[@Breizhe]

@@ughgross1258 Wise words. The feeling of "playing" pagan is definitely something that makes me anxious. The few times I mentioned my thoughts on it to friends it wasn't taken seriously at all, but that's to be expected I guess! I was a mourner, and I guess I'll remain so - but direct it more than I did before!

[@ughgross1258]

@@Breizhe Well I'm glad my words made some impact :)

[@Breizhe]

@@ughgross1258 And I'm glad you said them!

[@TickleMonster333]

This the ultimate story of animal cruelty, but I'd let her in :,), haunting and moving, I'm not Christian but I find this story soul stirring.

[@KrisHughes]

Yes, I certainly have more sympathies for animals than for humans. We are one species destroying, enslaving and torturing many other innocent species with our greed, selfishness and overpopulation.

[@franciscofranco9641]

Mari Lwyd is an evil pagan deity who believes herself equal to the Most Holy Virgin, her song is nothing but a set of lies to trick you into accepting her. That is the point of the ritual to symbolize that Christianity no longer accepts the brutality of Paganism, it's works, and all it's empty promises.

[@TheBurningManLives]

​@@franciscofranco9641 Christianity tells you to rule and dominate the world and subjugate others under the will of your god at all costs. Most pagan believes are just "Hey, be thankful to nature and maybe just dont be a jerk."

[@DonnaBarrHerself]

Heartbreaking. Bring her back. Too long we've had the cruel god. Let her in.

[@franciscofranco9641]

Do not be fooled by her lies. Pagan gods know no mercy nor justice.

[@TheBurningManLives]

​@franciscofranco9641 Oh, shush yourself, francis. Your god drowned millions of innocent babies cause a woman ate an apple.

[@PsychicIsaacs]

It is possible for Christianity and Traditional Beliefs to live side by side. I grew up among an indigenous tribe that became Christian. They solved this problem by taking the Best of their Old Ways and the Best of Christianity and ditching the worst of both paths... So, they stopped being cannibals, maintained their tribal big house with its ancestor statues, continued to respect and pray the prayers for the Forest, the Rivers, the Lakes and so on, and blended the teachings of Jesus in there as well (compassion, helping the unfortunate, trusting God, forgiveness, sins have been paid for(no more need for revenge killings...), etc. Because of this, people come from all over the World to see my old home town, with its famously friendly and hospitable, ancient tribe, who maintain their Old Ways, and blend them with the Grace of the New Way as well. This, IMHO, is the wisest approach. Mari Lwyd doesn't have to be kicked out of her stable to make way for Baby Jesus, and actually, I don't think Jesus would have approved either, had he had a voice to object with, at that time...

[@Soundwave._]

This is truly the best attitude to take. I'm agnostic myself, but I see no reason why there should be a need to put down any belief if it holds value for the people who uphold it. I'm curious, where are you/your tribe from?

[@franciscofranco9641]

If the teachings and way of life are not condemned by the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, then it is perfectly reasonable. As long as you do not worship the forest, rivers, lakes, and your ancestors then it is likely allowed.

[@PsychicIsaacs]

@@franciscofranco9641 Their whole culture is founded on the concepts of "Aroha" (Brotherly Love), Rangatiratanga (proper social order and hierachy) and respect of Te Wairua Tapu (literally "The Holy Spirit"). You take from nature what you need and no more, you pay respect and live a life filled with prayer in all you do. They have a saying which translates something like "If you are not praying, your weaving won't go well!" Insert whatever other occupation you will there, the saying is universally true. I see nothing contrary to Heaven in this mode of life, and it is how I endeavour to lead my life ,to this day.

[@franciscofranco9641]

@@PsychicIsaacs I am not objecting, as long as it is not condoning the worship of idols, I believe that way of life is valid.

[@Hazelw0lf]

I know this is an old video, but I don’t suppose there’s a recording of this without the vocals. I’d love to be able to do a performance of this when Mari roams this New Year

[@KrisHughes]

No, I don't think so.

[@Hazelw0lf]

@@KrisHughes A shame. It’s wonderfully haunting.

[@CodyRushDriving]

I want to do this too!

[@redwaldcuthberting7195]

I think it's origins are pagan and it was changed so it would survive Christianities adoption.

[@rhisiartmorgan3997]

I totally agree it was changed by the Cistercians in lots of cases with Y Mabinogi but not in Folk History its why the Mari has adapted, a great influence was the Victorians in their interest in revival....its why we see that in a lot of performers but we have tried to take it back to Y Fari Lwyd with Mabinogi dieties.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

@@rhisiartmorgan3997 Mari Lwyd was first noted in about 1800 (as were similar mast hobby horses in England) - so if pagan where had the tradition been hiding for something like 1300 years? You can't just make stuff up.

[@germanalfredolazaro-salas3073]

It was taken by the Christians for spread their faith

[@foxpatternedferret476]

This song makes me feel so bad for the Mari lwyd

[@KrisHughes]

Just remember - it's a cycle.

[@foxpatternedferret476]

Yeah, that it makes it sad beauty.

[@franciscofranco9641]

@@foxpatternedferret476 Mari Lwyd is an evil pagan deity who believes herself equal to the Most Holy Virgin, her song is nothing but a set of lies to trick you into accepting her. That is the point of the ritual to symbolize that Christianity no longer accepts the brutality of Paganism, it's works, and all it's empty promises.

[@foxpatternedferret476]

​@@franciscofranco9641Yikes, seems like someone forgot that the Spanish Inquisition was a Christian thing. So was burning people alive and drowning them over some stupid superstition.

[@WildMen4444]

​@@franciscofranco9641You think life is an empty promise?

[@marko1314]

LOVE THIS 💖

[@thecartercrew3725]

Beautiful and sad. I love horses myself so Mari could come right on in as far as I'm concerned! (As long as she didn't eat all my bunny's hay lol!)🐴🐰

[@zoazede2098]

Nah, she will only drink all your beer 🍻 (◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

[@Rotar13]

This is so emotional and relaxing I really love this kind of music and somehow this has a strange peacefullness to it but hopelessness aswell really good performance,is there any way to get this song?

[@KrisHughes]

You can buy the MP3 - search fro Chris Wood Mari Lwyd

[@franciscofranco9641]

The song is a spewing of lies by Mari Lwyd.

[@TheBurningManLives]

​@@franciscofranco9641 Unlike the lies of Jesus Christ, right?

[@bridgob5161]

I've got a theory that perhaps the tradition started as an expression of the grief of native Celts after seeing their culture essentially replaced by the Latinised Christian one, I'm not Welsh or anything so my knowledge on Welsh history is sparse at best but i think it's more emotionally gripping that way whether true or not. To explain in more detail, if supposedly pre-roman Wales held horses in high reverence in their religion and the horse gave way to the Christian Mary having the mare return in a sort of vengeful way might have felt like benediction for some but I honestly don't know.

[@KrisHughes]

It's probably as good an explanation as any.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

@@KrisHughes Except that it's utter nonsense.

[@megb7715]

Does the origin have anything to do with Christianity replacing pagan religions? It seems like an allegory of that.

[@KrisHughes]

I very much doubt it. It's either much more recent, or it's pre-Christian in origin. (How's that for hedging my bets.) However, the poetry of this song is couched in those terms.

[@ericmiller5124]

I agree

[@marilynkennedy8236]

@@KrisHughes A really beautiful video but I am confused you say it has nothing to do with Christianity replacing paganism and yet in the song Mary and the stable is mentioned. How then can it be Pre-Christian?.

[@KrisHughes]

@@marilynkennedy8236 The song is very much Chris Wood's take on things, and while there is a small amount of folklore that perhaps points toward the xmas story, it may be quite a late addition, I really don't know. It may well have been an attempt to make a non-Chriatian custom seem more acceptable. The Mari Lwyd tradition, itself, is probably more about bringing luck to the houses that are visited, and about the Mari party getting food, drink, and perhaps a few coins.

[@marilynkennedy8236]

@@KrisHughes Yes having thought about it further it does make sense that it was his take on things. These customs are very ancient are they not? Thank you so much for your reply.

[@west_wind_55]

According to the University of Wales Dictionary, L(l)wyd can also mean "holy, blessed, pious". I'd suggest this might be a likelier translation. Although Mari is Welsh for Mary, one can't help feel there might be a link to English "Mare".

[@KrisHughes]

Yes - words for white, fair, gray almost always include meanings of holy or even otherworldly. I've heard many folklorists say that the Mari in Mari lwyd refers to a mare, rather than to the name. I assume that it is an English borrowing.

[@west_wind_55]

@@KrisHughes Yes. I'd even speculate that the Mari Lwyd tradition might have formerly been a cross-border phenomenon - even if Celtic in origin; and that "Mari" might have been a folk rationalisation amongst monoglot Welsh speakers of the earlier English "Mare"

[@west_wind_55]

I remember being present when a horse's skull was found under the foundation of a local building being redeveloped. It's apparently a common tradition here. Another manifestation of the Horse Goddess cult or religion that has survived into modern Wales?

[@KrisHughes]

@@west_wind_55 Possibly. The Botai, the first people to domesticate horses on the Steppes buried horse's heads under their houses, if I remember correctly (might have been in graves - I'd have to check my notes). Now that is way before the Celts even emerged, and I'm not saying there's an unbroken line. More that there seems to be a similar impulse. Apparently, while there may have been magical reasons for burying horse skulls under hearths and doorways, it is also a possibility that they were sometimes put under floors for acoustical reasons!

[@west_wind_55]

@@KrisHughes The Mari Lwyd tradition is quite remarkable in that it casts the central tenet of Christianity in bad light - the pregnant mare being dragged out into the cold to make way for the Virgin Mary. People in past times were quite capable of expressing themselves in symbolic ways, especially if the ideas were heretical - in this case describing the abandonment of their former creed. Almost as if the last adherents of the old ways are expressing their angst. It brings to mind a programme broadcast over 30 years ago on the Welsh language TV channel. An older man originally from Anglesey was interviewed, and described the supposed survival of a secret religion or cult on the island, into the 20th century. Antipathetic to Christianity, as the conversion was described as "Y Frad Fawr" (The Big Treachery). He gave a detailed description of aspects of this cult or religion. There were sacred sites, with curses if they were interfered with; the term "perffaith" (perfect) was used - e.g. "cae perffaith" = perfect or sacred field. An especially holy site - "llyn perffaith" (sacred lake) - was Llyn Bodafon on Bodafon mountain in the east of the island. Little reed or rush cages were made, filled with fungi found growing on oak, and thrown into the lake as an offering. They also showed a small old inscribed parchment roll, which certainly seemed genuine. It would be used in ceremonies and placed into a hole in the mouth of a stone Celtic head which I believe is recorded to have been found in a garden wall in Llanfairpwll. Interestingly, archaeologists describing the head seem dubious about its age. The programme and its implications seem to have sunk without a trace. Could the Celtic religion have survived much longer than we have thought in various parts of Britain? It's a fascinating possibility.

[@kath5201]

Wonder what would happen if you gave the Mare a welcome and led her to a birthing stall

[@CelticDruidTempleOfBeliefsnewa]

I heard the Epona theory and how it alines with Epona's day however Ireland has a tradition similar for Fand she is a all purpose Goddess similar to The Basque Mari scholars have said Fand is Danu, Morrígan,Macha etc others say a deity of her own. Now Sugaar in Basque mythology matches Dagda with stories like Sugaar and the HengeSuge where he kills the beast and forms land because HengeSuge was drinking up the water. Mata in Irish mythology did the same thing Hinduism Kashyapa slays a turtle doing the same. And Mari in Basque means Mother from Emari where Mari Lwyd means White Mane Mari is also associated with horses and boars and goats and bulls and caves fire weather and all thing's and because Irish mythology has Fand it makes me think that some Celtic people's had a figure that matches all the pre Celtic consorts or main Celtic god that Romans called Dis pater who had many names. Which is interesting that was one of my theories

[@Davlavi]

Nice tradition and song.

[@echxingmelody]

At the time of commenting this, the vid has 666 likes and 6 dislikes. This is legendary

[@KrisHughes]

Yeah - I never imagined that this video would be so popular.

[@rhisiartmorgan3997]

Y Fari Lwyd the Grey Mare, (You can not call a horse White in ancient Cymry tradition it is the worst luck ) So we call it Grey and anything Grey in Cymry Tradition is Magical. Rhiannon is the Cymry Horse Goddess, not Epona, she is the Saxon Goddess . Read Y Mabinogi for Cymry Dieties. We have our own pantheon of Goddesses and Demi Gods. The Grey Horse Uffington is Rhiannon, not Epona the Saxons would not have been here in Ynys Prydain,(Bryton) when it was created. The Tradition is performed at Hen Galan, New Year, around 6th to th 13th of Jan, we do perform it at Nadolig, but the true tradition is the 13th. in the Mari party is the Horse Goddess Rhiannon, the Horse handler is the Camulos, the War God of the Silures,( Y Fari Lwyd is a southern Welsh tradition from the lands of the SIlwriad) It is not a tradition of mid or North Cymru, but in modern Cymru all of Cymru Performs it. The orator is the chieftain, the Cadi is both Male and Female Warriors and represents the balcance of Annwn the other world, the Chaos twins Pwcarau, ( Hobgoblins) reprisents the Chaos of Life! It would have been sang to a defendable enclosure, or Caer,( Hillfort) , the Fari Parti sing the Pwnc, (The Challenge) the Caer sings back (The retort) their poetry called the Pwnco. the battle begins with Pwnco telling the Caer how wonderful the Goddess,( Mari) is, and that they will not go away with out some reward and entrance to the Caer, because once inside if Cwrw is not forth coming the Caer could get smashed up if the Horse is displeased with the Welcome, The Caer tries to keep them out side with Poetry insults. The Caer try not to allow them in because of the threat of chaos, if Cwrw, (Bragwad) is not being given or Medd (Mead) . Mead was the payment to Welsh warriors it is called Talu Medd for service to the Brenin or King, they could barter anything for the Kings drink. The Romans were payed in Salt another rare thing of great barter. The word battle begins and can be up to and beyond 40 verses of cynghanedd one of 24 poetry meters Which can be only used in Cymraeg, it can be fired back and forth at each party it can be insultive like a bee sting, and threatening like a death sentance but in the end the one party in or out who can not out wit the other, then they must either retire or allow the Mari party in. The Positive thing though is that when Y Fari leaves the Caer after drinking all of their beer is that they will take all of the old years bad luck with them, and leaves good luck for the coming new year!

[@KrisHughes]

Thanks for your comment. Epona is a goddess from Celtic Gaul who was very popular with the Romans. She has nothing to do with the Saxons. This might help - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYmmp6Kso65grdE Camulos is also a Gaulish deity, perhaps carried into eastern Britain (Camulodunum/Colchester in Essex is evidence of this) so I'm surprised to read that you are connecting Him to this traditions. I have never heard that suggested before. I'd love to know where you got this idea so I can learn more. What you're describing concerning a party of warriors trying to gain entry to a Caer, etc. is an interesting re-imagining of the roots of this tradition. We will probably never know exactly how these traditions started, or what they looked like even a few hundred years ago.

[@rhisiartmorgan3997]

@@KrisHughes Do you speak Cymraeg Kris?

[@rhisiartmorgan3997]

The Reason you do not see votive offerings to Rhiannon is because we were an Oral traditional people not a writing dradition like the Romans and Saxons Druids had Coed Bren but on have been found in Ynys Prydain Why would you Promote the Celtic Goddess over your own?

[@starplainstudios7387]

Is it possible to get the sheet music? I would love to perform this piece :o

[@Mariamunro95]

I’m learning it by ear. It’s pretty repetitive

[@starplainstudios7387]

In which key do you play it?@@Mariamunro95

[@WildMen4444]

Hail Epona! Hail Rhiannon!

[@TheBurningManLives]

As an atheist, I like this. This is nice.

[@QuatroAtYale]

As a polytheistic animist, I find your reaction interesting. So is it only anthropomorphic deities that you are certain don't exist? Epona, Rhiannon, Macha are all Celtic goddesses associated with horses and sovereignty, and while I don't have a personal relationship with them, I am willing to consider their existence. Not trying to troll, just curious. I really like this song as well, btw.

[@captainmarkoramius7875]

i like

[@rheannalake6974]

Well done . 😎 🐴 ⚪️⚫️🔴🟡

[@eve7914]

1:33 this is the "I wanna listen to the song" button. You are welcome.

[@KrisHughes]

LOL

[@davidirizarry6216]

This reminds me of Spice&Wolf for some reason.

[@feldmarschallvonbraunschwe4463]

Really great video, far beyond what I expected. But one little thing, Its actually "Mari Lwyd" not "Lywd"

[@KrisHughes]

Hilarious! I am surely the queen of the prominently displayed typo! This video has been up for six years and I never noticed, and no one ever mentioned it. Fixed now! Go to the head of the class!

[@feldmarschallvonbraunschwe4463]

Kris Hughes haha! Glad to help.

[@edwardsam9107]

Thank you for *BAD DREAMS*

[@kateking3953]

What a beautiful song. Who is the singer please?

[@KrisHughes]

Hi name is Chris Wood (he is credited at the end).

[@kateking3953]

@@KrisHughes Thankyou, I'll look him up further. Kk

[@eve7914]

Am I weird for wanting to let it in my house?

[@rhisiartmorgan3997]

But although it would be cheeky and spoilt plus all your beer would be drank...it would take out the old evil of that year and bring good luck for the new year..Nadolig llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda.

[@sarahhoyt9556]

Not one bit

[@franciscofranco9641]

No, Mari Lwyd wants you to let it in. But what it says is all a lie in an attempt to trick you into worshipping it once again as she considers herself equal to God Himself. The point of the ritual is to symbolize that Christianity no longer accepts the brutality of Paganism, it's works, and all it's empty promises.

[@eve7914]

@@franciscofranco9641 in that case I would let it in my house lol. I am no christian.

[@franciscofranco9641]

@@eve7914 And why do you reject Christianity?

[@FrankKolarekJr]

Would there be sheet music available for the violin piece?

[@KrisHughes]

I wouldn't think so - it was probably improvised.

[@JenXOfficialEDM]

Diolch yn fawr! Let her in!

[@VirgoArtsOfficial]

Remember her name.

[@betenoireindustries]

the first of millions of blood sacrifices to yeshua by his vicious cult.

[@franciscofranco9641]

@@betenoireindustries Blood sacrifices? How do you mean?

[@betenoireindustries]

@@franciscofranco9641 don't be preciously disingenuous, it isn't clever or novel.

[@franciscofranco9641]

@@betenoireindustries Alright, so it's clear you don't even know what you're talking about, thanks, got it.

[@betenoireindustries]

@@franciscofranco9641 sweetcheeks, i've forgotten more about mythography in general and your precious dead limp god in specific than you've ever known, but please continue to convince yourself that edgelord terminology is a substitute for actual learning.

[@gwynfordafydd8716]

Who's the singer?

[@KrisHughes]

Chris Wood (as stated both in the credits at the end of the video, and in the text, above).

[@gwynfordafydd8716]

@@KrisHughes Ta for that. How about giving him a cred in the title?

[@crazyhorse8134]

Can you get this song on iTunes, is Chris Wood's music available on there and this song in particular?

[@KrisHughes]

I'm pretty sure it is.

[@crazyhorse8134]

is there a song title to the music track used on your video? Thanks for replying and your help!

[@KrisHughes]

@@crazyhorse8134 The title of the track is just called Mari Lwyd ( or maybe The Mari Lwyd), the artist is Chris Wood. I'm sure that I once purchased it from Amazon, but I had a look and it's not there. Perhaps Wood removed it. Not all artists love selling on Amazon. I think it was part of an album called "Ghosts".

[@jeffmansfield5795]

It's the Grey Mary not mare. Mare in Welsh is caseg, Mari means Mary. Goes back to the nativity story.

[@angelynx1prime]

Sure. The human Mary is not grey. The Grey Mary is the horse.

[@ADeniz-cm4ge]

Not the rap battel ı was expecting but ı met with a much more beutiful thing

[@HAIII12]

This is nothing like the Mari Lwyd procession in South Wales where religion doesnt play a part.

[@KrisHughes]

This is more of a song about the tradition. It's not a song which is part of the tradition.

[@adamschirtzinger990]

does this exist without the vocals?

[@KrisHughes]

Don't think so.

[@BeaufordStenberg]

Is "wraith" a rendering of the Welsh form of wight?

[@KrisHughes]

I've no idea of the etymology of the word wraith, but it's a word of longstanding use in English, just not much used anymore.

[@qrangejuice8225]

@@KrisHughes Some Google-fu says that it's of early 16th century Scottish origin. The details are uncertain.

[@KrisHughes]

huh!

[@redwaldcuthberting7195]

Wight comes from Englisc 'wiht' meaning a thing/ living creature. ic wiht geseah on waeg feran ' I saw a creature travel on the track.' itch wicht yuhsayach on wey fairan.

[@redwaldcuthberting7195]

@@KrisHughes The word has no certain etymology. J. R. R. Tolkien favored a link with writhe. Also compared are Scots warth and Old Norse vǫrðr (“watcher, guardian”), whence Icelandic vörður (“guard”). See also wray/bewray, from Middle English wreien[1]. Perhaps from wrath as a wraith is a vengeful spirit.

[@TruffleAntylamon]

Is this the lore for the creature or something someone made up for her? Regardless it's beautiful.

[@KrisHughes]

It's a Welsh tradition.

[@lagerku.3137]

I've never heard of the Mari Lwyd being a pregnant horse being replaced with the Mother Mary other than this video. It may be a Christian interpretation or he may have juat made it up. There are many British folk traditions that involve characters being led to people's houses around Christmas time, singing and being invited in for food and drink. That's probably where the tradition of caroling came from.

[@YorkyOne]

​@@KrisHughes There is no mention of this supposed Welsh folktale in EC Cawte's 1978 definitive study 'Ritual Animal Disguises'. It was clearly concocted sometime after that. And judging by the anti-Christian message written by someone with an agenda.

[@YorkyOne]

​@@lagerku.3137 There was a theory that Mari Lwyd meant 'Holy Mary' - it means 'grey mare' Someone took this theory and created 'fakelore'.

[@oliverman3713]

It reminds me of the gargoyleking?😂😱

[@GrizzlySauce]

Sam onella

[@corpselight7989]

As an outsider to the Lady, why did people have to answer riddles or some such? Let the poor Lady in and let her bare her foals. I assume there is some ghastly background, but I'd feel more guilty leaving Her out.

[@KrisHughes]

It's a traditional folk practice. The Welsh are very fond of extemporised poetry. Something can be both serious and light-hearted at the same time, and that's exactly what's happening with the Mari.

[@corpselight7989]

@@KrisHughes When is Mari Lwyd supposed to come around? Im assuming it was an original holiday, opposed to xmas. I want to set something up for Her this winter.

[@KrisHughes]

@@corpselight7989 That's debatable. It might originally be a Calan Gaeaf custom, but it is also associated with xmas, the different dates of "New Year", and other times.

[@franciscofranco9641]

Mari Lwyd is an evil pagan deity who believes herself equal to the Most Holy Virgin, her song is nothing but a set of lies to trick you into accepting her. That is the point of the ritual to symbolize that Christianity no longer accepts the brutality of Paganism, it's works, and all it's empty promises.

[@TheBurningManLives]

​@franciscofranco9641 And you're an arrogant man following a human sacrifice religion commenting on all comments on this video. Praise the grey mare.

[@GuildofChaoticAlignment]

Its funny how most religions imply there is some ruling force demanding you obey or you’ll be damned to hell for simply living your life differently than anyone else, and further demands you sacrifice for it and tests you with sick and horrible trickery (which it calls tests of faith), supposedly demanding also that you kill for it when others do not conform, yet most pagan beliefs lie with humans relationship with nature and the universe and there is no such oppression or elitism. Im not really pagan i dont think but im certainly not part of any of these other oppressive religions.

[@franciscofranco9641]

Mari Lwyd is an evil pagan deity who believes herself equal to the Most Holy Virgin, her song is nothing but a set of lies to trick you into accepting her. That is the point of the ritual to symbolize that Christianity no longer accepts the brutality of Paganism, it's works, and all it's empty promises.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

Mari Lwyd is a 'mast' hobby horse. The earliest written reference to Mari Lwyd is from about 1800. By that time Wales had been a Christian country for over 1300 years and therefore to say this tradition is 'pre-Christian', 'Celtic' or 'pagan' is fanciful nonsense. And it is not unique. The coal and iron ore mining communities of 19th century Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire had very similar mast horses and practiced the same rites and rituals as the Mari Lwyd tradition. Their version was called 'Poor Old Horse' - sometimes a sheep was used and called 'The Old Tup'. They visited houses and performed their ritual song just like the Mari Lwyd. There are similar customs elsewhere in England. And it is simply about out of work farm labourers in mid-winter entertaining the local population in the hope that they might cough up a penny or two or provide some food and drink. Just like wassailers, morris and sword dancers, mummers etc. who all performed to augment their meager income. Again, nothing to do with the 'Celts', Druids, Pagans or any Pre-Christian rituals all of which are figments of fevered imaginations and based on no evidence whatsoever.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

And, no, there is no relationship between the Uffington chalk horse, Mari Lwyd and the Padstow 'Oss. Trying to establish a link simply by 'intuition' really isn't good enough. But there really is a link between Mari Lwyd and the Padstow 'Oss - they are both hobby horse traditions. Simple as that.

[@NkkenTheGrim]

And then the "lord" came along and said "let there be mansplaining". Kris is an expert and literally teaches courses on these subjects. You're only confessing that you miss the entire point and don't understand the concept of mythopoesis nor the metaphysics of animism and the persistence of spirit. Oh the irony of intuition not being good enough when every bit of "modern Western philosophy" is based in intuition, including the foundations of logic. Oh, did I mention the very idea of a posteriori evidence that you are vaguely alluding to only exists as a concept because of intuition. Oh yeh, even the concept of knowledge is only intuitive. All the arguments concerning what constitutes evidence, different forms of relationality, guess what...intuition! Whether intuition is "good enough" depends on *what is being said and what intuition is being used for*. If you don't understand what is actually being said, you certainly cannot comment about what evidence is appropriate. Try listening more than you talk.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

@@NkkenTheGrim A few points. You obviously enjoyed the Philosophy for Beginners course. But try to cut the waffle next time. Mansplaining - really? Am I not allowed to remark on a video simply because it is presented by a woman? What would your response be if I was 'Telgirl' I wonder? In the case of trying to 'prove a direct relationship' between a 3000 year old English chalk hill carving, a 2000 year old Gallo-Roman religion and two 19th century Welsh and English folk traditions on the grounds that they all involve 'horses' is stretching the concept of intuition beyond breaking point and is frankly laughable. In fact it puts me in mind of the following anecdote concerning (coincidentally) the Padstow Obby Oss (Hutton is a historian who has written extensively on British folklore and Paganism); Inevitably, something this unusual and inexplicable tends to attract wild conjecture. Professor Hutton tells an eye-opening story concerning Mary Macleod Banks, president of the Folk-Lore Society, who visited Padstow in 1929 and witnessed a cross-dressing Teaser. Banks assumed that he represented, “a pagan, sacred marriage between earth and sky”. When she visited again in 1931, the same man was dressed as a clown, which thoroughly annoyed the President. She took him to task for, “spoiling the rite”. He responded angrily that his part in the proceedings required no specific outfit, and that he was essentially living the tradition while she was simply making things up to suit her agenda. Indeed, any assumptions made by Banks appear to have been her own fantasy, but one that she successfully put about via her lofty role. The best part of a century later, some of those assumptions have muddied the waters. When Professor Hutton visited Padstow on May Day in 1985, participants told him that the procession was, “a prehistoric ritual in which a man representing a fertility god was sacrificed for the good of his people”. 'Simply making things up to suit her agenda'. Mmm...sounds familiar.

[@NkkenTheGrim]

@@Wotsitorlabart It's called mansplaining because only a man would walk into a room of strangers already thinking he is the most educated and informed person in it and then proceed to make a fool of himself pretending to educate others in ideas he has misunderstood from the start to people who already know everything he could possibly say. Have you considered that the level of intellect you are displaying warrants me talking to you about beginner philosophy? It's not a reflection on the teacher that they must explain basic concepts in a basic way, it is a reflection on the student. Again, try listening more than you talk.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

@@NkkenTheGrim Cut out the pretentious waffle. Are any of the points I have made regarding the history of Mari Lwyd inaccurate? You may well be listening - perhaps it is time you started questioning.

[@datguy4133]

Note to self: Never move to Wales

[@HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH]

Welsh

[@alt1f4]

Lslslsppallrkrngogogogohogohoapanwve

[@s_c_u_m3172]

you mean you do not want to rap battle a horse skull for your alchoholic bevrages?

[@martywhite2988]

Beautiful, a video you have to read. Try again.