Lantern Walk
Martinmas is a celebration of the kindness that is required to bring a whole community through the winter journey. Saint Martin was remembered for ripping his cloak in half to give it to a peasant who was freezing at the gates of the city. The essence of this tradition is reflected in Thanksgiving food drives, coat drives and more.
At Heartsong, it is a time to gather, bringing our little lights to journey through the darkness together in kindness and community.
Join us at Heartsong's Lantern Walk on November 13th to partake in this beautiful, symbolic event. Let the soft light of the lanterns guide us as we celebrate togetherness and the beauty of shared moments.
We will gather in the preschool yard and have a fire to warm ourselves by.
We will have some warm tea for folks to drink (please bring your own mug or thermos) and a finger food potluck (please bring low-sugar options as we are close to bedtime).
Run of Show
3:30 PM — After Care + Snack
4:30 PM — Pizza Served
5:00 PM — Learning Lantern Walk Songs
5:30 PM — Begin lighting candles and gathering at the fire
5:45 PM — Lights off in the Greenhouse, Official Welcome, and Story
6:00 PM — Lantern Walk begins
6:30 PM — Return to the fire (a good time for our youngest to depart)
7:00 PM — Singing around the fire (for our older children and families)
7:30 PM — Lights back on in the Greenhouse and clean up from the event
Around the fire, we will practice our songs, and I will tell our Lantern Walk story. The children have been joyfully learning the songs in class and will be making their own lanterns in preparation for this special evening.
Together, we will carry our lanterns as we walk to the forest and back, accompanied by parents and teachers, softly singing our lantern songs. When we return to the fire, the Grades students will sing their autumn songs, and I will recite a closing verse before we say goodnight.
Please help us preserve the gentle mood of the evening by quietly ushering your children out, allowing the warmth and peace of the lantern light to carry with them into their sleep.
Martinmas Verse:
Days grow shorter. Nights grow longer.
Autumn winds are blowing stronger.
But I’ve a lantern gleaming bright
to find my way through darkest night
As through winters night you’ll pass
and dark grey storm clouds cover the stars
Still you’ll see my tiny spark
Shine before you in the dark.
Lantern Walk Songs:
“The sunlight fast is dwindling,
My little lamp needs kindling.
Its beam shines far
in darkest night.
Dear lantern guide me
With your light.”
Glimer Lantern Glimer
Glimmer, lantern, glimmer
Little stars a-shimmer
Over rock and stock and stone
Wandering, tripping, little gnome
Pee-wit, pee-wit, tikka-tikka-tik Rucoo, rucoo.
I’m walking with my lantern
my lantern walks with me
above the stars are shining bright
below are shinging we.
My light goes out, I’m going home
La bima, la boma, la boom
boom boom
My light goes out, I’m going home
La bima, la boma, la boom
boom boom
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine, let shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Not gonna put it under a bushel basket,
NO! I’m gonna let it shine
Not gonna put it under a bushel basket,
NO! I’m gonna let it shine
Not gonna put it under a bushel basket,
NO! I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine, let shine, let it shine, let it shine.
All over the world,
Yes! I’m gonna let it shine
All over the world,
YES! I’m gonna let it shine
All over the world,
YES! I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine, let shine, let it shine, let it shine.