The Shortest Day

There is a version both printed and on the internet with a mistake in it, so we are posting this to be sure that the many people who share this poem have the right words and punctuation. Please use the poem for non-commercial purposes, and follow copyright guidelines. You can direct permissions questions to susancooper@thelostland.com. Thank you! 

THE SHORTEST DAY By Susan Cooper Copyright Susan Cooper 1974 So the shortest day came, and the year died, And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world Came people singing, dancing, To drive the dark away. They lighted candles in the winter trees; They hung their homes with evergreen, They burned beseeching fires all night long To keep the year alive. And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake They shouted, revelling. Through all the frosty ages you can hear them Echoing, behind us — listen! All the long echoes sing the same delight This shortest day As promise wakens in the sleeping land. They carol, feast, give thanks, And dearly love their friends, and hope for peace. And so do we, here, now, This year, and every year. Welcome Yule!

I (Myth Woodling) am delighted to have permission to share this wonderful poem by Susan Cooper. I first heard it when I purchased--in 1984--a copy of The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice.

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