There stands here a grove, where the goddess still reigns The passing is matched, by trial and game Sprinting and hurdles, Discus and ball To greet the new king, as his twin brother falls To mark the pass of the waning year Athletes gather, priests draw near With sprigs of cyprus and mistletoe The old must die, for new to grow Refrain Hey, oh hey, the Ivy and spruce Finish the ritual, bring a new dawn Dance, and play, and relish the truce, 'Tween river and rock, cougar and fawn The running of maidens, through Appian way Starts off the games, and the King's final day Children throw flowers, the crowd is aroar Bare feet end up bloodied, but pain is ignored As the vestal race closes, the first feast begins A stout satyr waddles with wine on his chin His opens his throat, and velvet notes spring As if the green mother herself were to sing Refrain Hey, oh hey, the Alder and spruce Finish the ritual, bring a new dawn Dance, and play, and worship the truce, 'Tween Titans and godlings, the wolf and the fawn As the banquets continue, the grapplers walk in Annointed in oil, clad only in skin To wrestle, and struggle, and exhibit their skill A true test of strength, constitution and will Refrain Hey, oh hey, Pomegranite and spruce Finish the ritual, bring a new dawn Just today, we honor the truce Between Secrets and Wisdom, lion and fawn Discuses flung, from dizzying spins Javelins thud as their heads splinter in Targets and straw, are retrieved for the stage To build up the flame, that will bring a new age Refrain Hey, oh hey, Serpent and Spruce Finish the ritual, bring a new dawn Eternity gazes, and blesses our truce Between Power and Ignorance, tiger and fawn Fully prepared, and enduring his rites The waning king sits, as they sharpen the knife He remembers ascenscion, and his long-year was grand As he readies the Crescent-moon scepter in hand Refrain Hey, oh hey, Barley and Spruce The ritual's done, we gaze at the dawn Eternity kneels, blessing our truce Between Chaos and Order, Venus and Faun repeat Verse / Em D Em - / Em D Em Em / C D Em - / C D Em - / Refrain /Am - -G Em / D - Em - / Am - -G Em / C D - Em /