Get all 12 Mama Gina releases available on Bandcamp and save 10%.
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1. |
Cerridwen's Cauldron
05:50
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Cerridwen’s Cauldron / How to Make a Bard Stew © G. LaMonte 12/2013
I went to Cerridwen, asked for a song
She said, “Love, now what will you pay?”
I ran for my life and I ran for my soul
She followed me anyway
Once she had caught me, I never looked back
And this rogue and the road became one
I played for each union, I played for each end
Till my own life, it almost was done
BREAK
My strings they were dull and my drum lost its tone
And my song it was fadin’ and slow
With my last bit o’ courage, I prayed to the One
Who had made me a bard long ago
I called to the Cauldron, I called to her Queen
I bit off more than I could chew
I gave to Cerridwen my soul for her Cauldron
For just one more taste of her sweet bardic stew
CHORUS
Cerridwen’s Cauldron holds my soul
Cerridwen’s Spoon stirs me round
Cerridwen’s Flame warms the tale
Cerridwen’s Brew, I will drink it down
Carrot and eyebright and onion and tears
And a stone like the one in my heart
Cider so bitter you’d think it gone bad
But bitterroot’s part of the Bard
Spirit of ale and a heart diced so fine
That it never again shall be whole
The pain and the love and the stories they tell
Cerridwen stirred them all into my soul
CHORUS
Drip the fat from your deepest sorrow
O’er medium flame to clarify
Salt with fresh tears to taste, oh, to taste
And pepper with laughter and turn the flame high
I’ll take the sorrow and I’ll take the pain
That every new tale does require
For the light in their eyes and the lift in their hearts
As I share my song round the fire
CHORUS
I went to Cerridwen, asked for a song
She said, “Love, now what will you pay?”
I ran for my life and I ran for my soul
She followed straight to my grave
Once she had caught me, I never looked back
And this rogue and the road became one
I played for the union, I played for the end
Ah, till my own life was done
CHORUS
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2. |
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The Undertaker’s Daughter
by Gina LaMonte
CHORUS: The secrets that we keep – and the stories we half-tell
And the tiny holes we leave along the way
We teach our sons and daughters – to love as best we can
But we really shape our children – with the things that we can’t say
His father died when he was three - Oh, the whispers on the grave
They didn’t think he’d understand - So they never did explain
The young man looked for answers - That he couldn’t find at home
So he made it up as we all do - As he went along
No one ever taught him – how to say goodbye
So he made it his life’s mission – to witness as they cried
He held the hands of widows – as he walked them to the edge
Watched them drop their rings and roses on their loved ones’ final beds
CHORUS
I’m the undertaker’s daughter - I grew up with the dead
Peeked inside their coffins - Touched the pillows ‘neath their heads
I still hear my Daddy’s voice - In the silence all around
“We’re here for the living.” - Then he left without a sound
And so I looked for answers – in every holy book
I made it up – as I went along
With all the things that I had learned – words were not enough
I prayed that my heart would find my song
CHORUS
My father and my only son - Gave each other what I lacked
I watched them grow old and young - Till that final heart attack
No words for the love we shared - There’s so much that I will never know
I sat my child down - Told him Grandpa had to go
I handed him my father’s ring – told him he was now a man
Didn’t know how not to break his heart
I hope he’ll find the answers – the best way that he can
‘Cause God knows, I don’t know where to start
CHORUS
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3. |
Invocation for Nut
02:59
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Invocation for Nut
I am indigo – I am night
Embracing your souls – each one is a light
I hold your true nature – when you’re ready to know
When you’re ready, look up and let go
Call me Arc of Heaven
And Lady of the Stars
I am Mistress of All
And She Who Bore the Gods
No temple shall hold me
And none shall you make
I’m the Queen of Infinite Space
I am indigo – I am night
Limitless – I am the sky
Giving birth to the Sun – then I swallow him whole
Child, be fearless – look up and let go
Call me She Who Protects
And Friend of the Dead
Paint your ceilings deep blue
And stars o’er your heads
No temple can hold me
No temple could stand
‘Tween the night sky that kisses the land
No money; no lover; no justice; no peace
No human endeavor; no painless release
I’ll offer no solace if you live in fear
But if you saw what I see from here …
Every man every woman – a star shining bright
I am indigo – I am night
I hold your true nature; and when you’re ready to know
Freedom, look up and let go
Every man every woman – a star shining bright
I am indigo – I am night
I hold your true nature; and when you’re ready to know
Freedom, look up and let go
I am indigo – I am night
I am indigo
For Imbolc 2013
© G. Estevez LaMonte 1/2013
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4. |
Coyote's Tattoo
03:49
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Coyote’s Tattoo
by Gina LaMonte
My life, it was lifeless, my life it was plain
I wanted for love in so many ways
I asked the Trickster, I asked him to call
I said, “Change my life. Change it all.”
If I’d known then all the things I know now
I may not have spoken my wishes out loud
But the sage, it burned bright, and the sweetgrass burned hot
I was sorry it happened, but now I am not
I was sorry it happened, but now I am not
Coyote, he crept in my bedroom that night
He whispered, “You’ll find the love of your life.”
He wouldn’t say how and he couldn’t say when
He’d repay all the pain that he’d send
The soul of the Trickster breathed in the smoke
He said, “I’d love to heal this heart that is broke.”
Oh, we made love, and he said, “I’ll be back.”
And he didn’t lie about that.
No, he didn’t lie about that.
He traced a claw in the small of my back / He’s long gone but the lines remain true
He left me a love to remember him by / And I still bear Coyote’s Tattoo
Coyote returned in the shape of a man
With a tiger inked high and drumsticks in hand
He tapped out a rhythm right there on my skin
And the marque that he left burned within
Then he said, “I must go, but you’ll have your wish.”
“The sorrows you’ll know are bound to your bliss.”
“I may be the Trickster, but I’ve loved you true.”
“And you’ll always bear my tattoo.”
And the pup that we made and the changes he wrought
I was sorry it happened, but now I am not
I was sorry it happened, but now I am not
He traced a claw in the small of my back / Long gone, but the lines remain true
He left me a love to remember him by / And I still bear Coyote’s Tattoo
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5. |
Freya's Lullaby
06:41
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Freya’s Lullaby (to Baldur on his day of birth)
© G. LaMonte – 4/2013
Written at GreenSong Grove Beltaine Festival 2013
As if you were not already declared
A child of joy, a child of light
I’m counting your fingers, counting your toes
Born on this longest night
Relief as you cry, and this mother’s first kiss
Brushed softly against your crown
Blood, salt and tears – I taste your whole life
Know it surely as I know my own
CHORUS
I see your whole life from first love to last
I know your whole life though you’ve not lived it
I see your whole life from first breath to death
And still I would see you live it
How the world loves you and how you do shine
And how could you not, beautiful child of mine
But the Fates see you fall to no warrior’s death
Poor ending for one so divine
I’m Mother, I’m Queen of sun, sea, sky and stone
I will make them all promise to do you no harm
I would protect you my Prince, Little King
And yet, I still see you fall
CHORUS
My will is great, and the mistletoe small
No promise shall come from that tiny wraithe
I’ll ignore at your peril … oh, the thing I shall miss
And I still see you fall in this mother’s first kiss
My son fully grown in a game of the gods
You’re not touched by stone nor by spear
But a blind man’s aim and a mistletoe dart
And an IMP destroy all I hold dear
CHORUS
All this I see in a mother’s first kiss
Your heart will stop beating and I will go mad
I will rend my cloak and tear my hair
I will tear down this world until I have you back
I am Mother, I’m Queen … and I cannot change this
But know that I love you with every breath
Know that I love you in life and in death
CHORUS
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6. |
The Brownie Song
01:36
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The Brownie Song
My love she baked me brownies
To celebrate ferris wheel day
And I dug in with much chagrin
And ate five right away
She’d baked them by the dozens
So there were plenty more
But ne’er would I have left them
If I’d known what was in store
The elves they owned the forest
Right where we stayed the night
With pointy ears and bedy eyes
They planned their brownie heist
The elves they love their chocolate chips
Our brownies made them weep
Those crafty elves they waited
Until we fell asleep
They draped themselves in raccoon pelts
Of fur & claw – they dared,
Credpt past our fire and lifted lids
On all the Tupperware
They searched our campsite stem to stern
They found the goods she baked
They feasted and they drank our wine
Left nothing in their wake
The sun came up – we stretched our limbs
And spied on our ascent
Twenty elves in raccoon pelts
Hungover by our tent
They stayed for beer and pancakes
Then staggered on back home
We promised to bring brownies
The next time we would come
You never know how things will go
So bring enough to spare
Make it sweet and make it light
And make enough to share
You never know how things might go
When you begin your day
My love, she baked me brownies
To celebrate ferris wheel day
My love, she baked me brownies
And the elves came out to play
My love, she baked me brownies
To celebrate ferris wheel day
© 2/2013 G. Estevez LaMonte
written at Brighid’s Fire, All World Acres, 2/15/2013
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7. |
Ruby
07:48
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Ruby
She flies o’er the battlefield urging them on – taking no side
It’s the blood and the laughter, beat time with her wings – it’s the thrill in the warriors’ eyes
She’s waited and watched him his whole life through – now she’s watching him fall
His blade is still keen and his heart is still true – Black Crow, she calls
Oh, the diamonds and emeralds that litter her nest
So beautiful, shiny and bright
Bits of copper and silver and gold and the rest
Glitter like stars in the night
But the treasure she seeks is bloody and dim
She buries her beak in the dead man’s chest
She flies with the stone and promises
This warrior’s soul will find rest, this warrior’s soul will find rest, this warrior’s soul will find rest
A ruby in Morrighan’s nest
She flies o’er the city in search of a soul breathing her last
The woman bears down, and the child within – coming too fast
The Raven, she watches the blood and the breath – ignoring the child’s cries
Black wings retrieving the stone at her breast – and the Raven, she flies
Oh, the diamonds and emeralds that litter her nest
So beautiful, shiny and bright
Bits of copper and silver and gold and the rest
Glitter like stars in the night
But the treasure she seeks is bloody and dim
She buries her beak in the dead woman’s chest
She flies with the stone and promises
This mother’s soul will find rest, this mother’s soul will find rest, oh, this mother’s soul will find rest
A ruby in Morrighan’s nest
Each life is sacred – each spirit divine
But the bravest of souls are the Morrighan’s tithe
Hers for the taking and hers to revive
Oh, the rubies the Raven collects
The rubies in Morrighan’s nest
She flies the dark alley, midst drugs, fear and pain – and a tangle of limbs
Born of this union of violence and lust – a new life swims
The Raven she watches the cells divide – two and then four and then eight
This unborn child needs a warrior’s heart to survive his fate
And the treasure she’ll give is bloody and bright
She buries her beak in the unborn’s chest
Drops the ruby deep and promises
Little warrior’s soul will someday find rest
As a ruby in Morrighan’s nest
Each life is sacred – each spirit divine
But the bravest of souls are the Morrighan’s tithe
Hers for the taking and hers to revive
Oh, the rubies the Raven collects
The rubies in Morrighan’s nest
© 2/2013 G. LaMonte
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8. |
Four Angels
03:44
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Four Angels
© G. LaMonte 11/2012
Four angels I called, I commanded
Four angels I called open-handed
And open-armed I stood in a circle of my own
I offered prayers and incense and climbed upon my throne
Arrogant and able, a magician fully grown
Four angels I called and they appeared
Four angels I called and they guarded
Four angels I called and they warded
I was safe within their arms to sleep and cast about
I would not fear the changes or the world that loomed without
‘Til the granite ‘round my heart – it cracked – and still I held no doubt
Four angels I called and they drew near
Raphael, my wings
Gabriel, my breast
Michael, my desire
Auriel, my rest
Tikkun, tikkun, tikkun haNefesh
Tikkun, tikkun, tikkun haNefesh
Four angels I called, I am your Master
Four angels I called, and I heard laughter
That thundered and burned low, and rang within my ears
Shook me to my bones in humility and fear
I collapsed upon the earth and shed a million tears
Four angels I wept, make me whole
Raphael, my wings
Gabriel, my breast
Michael, my desire
Auriel, my rest
Tikkun, tikkun, tikkun haNefesh
Tikkun, tikkun, tikkun haNefesh
Four angels I called, will you align me
Four angels I called, will you define me
They left me to my work through the darkest of my days
Never doubted for a moment that they would light my way
Rose upon my feet, destroyed the bound’ries I had raised
Four angels I called, and we were One
Raphael, my wings
Gabriel, my breast
Michael, my desire
Auriel, my rest
Tikkun, tikkun, tikkun haNefesh
Tikkun, tikkun, tikkun haNefesh
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9. |
Mojo
04:29
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Mojo © 2012 G. LaMonte
I was a little bit bitter ‘bout working so hard
No time for time off, no sun, moon, no stars
My nose to that stone that keeps grindin’ away
All was mundania, no time to play
Day job keeps roof up and food in the belly
Without one true thing
My soul turned to jelly
I couldn’t remember what made me sing
I was a hard, hard thing
CHORUS
That was the year that I lost my mojo (3x)
But I got it back
Oh, I was feelin’ so bad for myself
A real pity party that wouldn’t end well
My altar was dusty and I hadn’t prayed
For two hundred days
Blame it on the moon, blame it on stars
Blame it on those freaky Tarot cards
You might as well blame all the fish in the sea
But I think it was me
CHORUS
That was the year that I lost my mojo (3x)
But I got it back
This Goddess, she showed up all beaded and braided
She said, “I got what you lost, girl. You must have misplaced it.
“Meet me by the water in the bright, bright sun,
“And bring your guitar and your drum”
I played till I found the beat of my heart
I played on and on till my hands flew apart
Then I lifted my voice and I raised my head
I played my twelve-string till my fingers bled
Sweet Goddess, she so loved that blood sacrifice
Sweet Mojo, this feels so nice
CHORUS
That was the year that I lost my mojo (3x)
But I got it back
Oshun don’t take “No” for an answer
And everything comes with a price
So every day we drink black tea and rum
With a little spice
And you will hear us each evening
I play till my hands fall apart
Then I lift my voice and I raise my head
And I let her sing straight from my heart
CHORUS
That was the year that I lost my mojo (3x)
But I got it back
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10. |
Waking Panther
05:43
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Waking Panther
G. LaMonte (6/2013)
Waking Panther gently from his sleep
Waking Panther gently from his dream
He once walked this sacred ground
Now his footsteps are nowhere found
Waking Panther gently from his sleep
Waking Panther gently from his dream
Ask the Heron, ask the Crane
Ask the Sparrow, call his name
Ask Coyote, ask Brown Bear
Ask Gator, call him here
Waking Panther gently from his sleep
Waking Panther gently from his dream
Ask the wind, ask the wind, ask the wind, ask the wind
We are waking Panther gently from his sleep
We are waking Panther gently from his dream
He once walked this sacred ground
Now his footsteps we pray are sunward bound
We are waking Panther gently from his sleep
We are waking Panther gently from his dream
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Mama Gina Tampa, Florida
Award winning singer/songwriter & wanderlust ... fearless story-telling ... bluesy vocals ... humor ... straight-ahead, rhythmic, 12 string acoustic guitar ... djembe ... frame drums ... all weft and warp of the soul of this bard
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