German Pagan folk band Waldkauz released a “quarantine-style” video for Danse Macabre, a song from their upcoming album, Labyrinth.
The lyrics of the song are part of Henri Cazalis’ poem Égalité-Fraternité, originally transformed into music by Camille Saint-Saëns. He composed the symphonic poem Danse Macabre (Dance of Death) as a tribute to Cazalis.
Lyrics – Danse Macabre
Zig et zig et zig, la mort en cadence
Frappant une tombe avec son talon,
La mort à minuit joue un air de danse,
Zig et zig et zig, sur son violon
Zig et zig et zig, la mort continue
D’racler sans fin son aigre instrument.
Un voile est tombé! La danseuse est nue!
Son danseur la serre amoureusement
Translation – Dance of Death
Zig, zig, zig, Death in cadence,
Striking with his heel a tomb,
Death at midnight plays a dance-tune,
Zig, zig, zig, on his violin.
Zig zig, zig, Death continues
The unending scraping on his instrument.
A veil has fallen! The dancer is naked.
Her partner grasps her amorously.
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Waldkauz’s (tawny owl) music is about ancient magic, the power of nature and the dance of life and death, connecting contemporary folk melodies to old myths and legends from European folklore.
The band’s first songs were written in 2010, but it was only after their drummer, Peter, joined in 2012 that the project really came into life. Hailing from Hildesheim, Germany, Waldkauz first live performance was in 2013.
Along the years, they have played in major festivals such as the Wacken Open Air, Festival Mediaval, Wave Gotik Treffen, Castlefest and the Autumn Moon Festival, as well as in several events of the Mittelalterlich Phantasie Spectaculum, the largest traveling medieval market the world.
They have released two albums so far, Komm’ Mit (2015) and Mythos (2017). Their third album, Labyrinth will be released later this year.
Left to right: Andi Douwt, Diana Koper, Niklas Agalstra, Nina, Weggen, Rick “Peter” Guenter, Alana Bennett. | Waldkauz | Photo: Samantha Evans
Members
- Nina Weggen (vocals, whistles, bagpipe)
- Diana Koper (vocals)
- Alana Bennett (vocals, harp, hurdy-gurdy, violin)
- Niklas Agalstra (vocals, Irish bouzouki, nyckelharpa)
- Andi Douwt (bass guitar)
- Rick “Peter” Guenter (drums, percussion)
Discography
Komm’ Mit (2015)
Waldkauz
Mythos (2017)
Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (ES)
Links
Website | Facebook | Instagram
YouTube | Spotify
Playlists
Nina’s favorites
Diana’s favorites
Alana’s favorites
Nikla’s favorites
Andi’s favorites
Merry Yule
