Song of the Day - 21st June
Today's Song of the Day is one I have been looking forward to sharing with you as it is one of my favourites. Today is the midsummer solstice (in the Northern hemisphere anyway), the longest day and the shortest night. The word ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin words for sun (sol) and to stand (sistere). It is also known as "Litha", which is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word for "midsummer”. It's the time of year when the position of the rising or setting sun stands still in its movement along the horizon. The summer solstice has been recognised and celebrated since prehistoric times. Stonehenge in Wiltshire, UK, was built to align with the sun on the solstices. On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the north-east part of the horizon and its first rays shine into the heart of Stonehenge. Even today, people often gather at Stonehenge to mark the summer solstice, echoing the joyous festivities of our prehistoric ancestors. The poem I have cho...