Lyke-Wake Dirge is a traditional English song, thought to have originated in Yorkshire, telling of the journey a soul makes and the trials it faces, on its way from earth through purgatory to Heaven. Though, ostensibly, from the Christian era and featuring references to Christianity, much of the symbolism, within the song, is thought to be of heathen origin.
The title refers to the watch over the dead between the death and funeral, known as a wake. Lyke is an obsolete word meaning a corpse, and is related to the German word “Leiche” and the Dutch word “lijk”, which have the same meaning. It survives in modern English in the expression lych gate, the roofed gate at the entrance to a churchyard, where a coffin could be held and the bearers rested before continuing on to the church for the burial service. "Lyke-wake" could also stem from the Norse influence on the Yorkshire dialect, the contemporary Norwegian and Swedish words are still "likvake" and "likvaka" respectively ("lik" and "vaka"/"vake" with the same meanings as previously described for "lyke" and "wake").
The old ballad affirms that safety and comfort of the soul in overcoming the difficulties it faces are directly related to the dead person's willingness to have given charitably during their lifetime.. The poem on which it is based was first collected, in 1686, by John Aubrey. Aubrey also recorded that it was definitely being sung in 1616, but was believed to be much older.
The title refers to the watch over the dead between the death and funeral, known as a wake. Lyke is an obsolete word meaning a corpse, and is related to the German word “Leiche” and the Dutch word “lijk”, which have the same meaning. It survives in modern English in the expression lych gate, the roofed gate at the entrance to a churchyard, where a coffin could be held and the bearers rested before continuing on to the church for the burial service. "Lyke-wake" could also stem from the Norse influence on the Yorkshire dialect, the contemporary Norwegian and Swedish words are still "likvake" and "likvaka" respectively ("lik" and "vaka"/"vake" with the same meanings as previously described for "lyke" and "wake").
The old ballad affirms that safety and comfort of the soul in overcoming the difficulties it faces are directly related to the dead person's willingness to have given charitably during their lifetime.. The poem on which it is based was first collected, in 1686, by John Aubrey. Aubrey also recorded that it was definitely being sung in 1616, but was believed to be much older.
by AKACroatalin April 18, 2015
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by thereallyka November 23, 2020
Get the Lyka mug.An old English word meaning a corpse. It can also be spelled lych or lich it derives from the Medieval English “lic” meaning a dead body and is used in the traditional song Lyke Wake Dirge.
by AKACroatalin August 1, 2015
Get the Lyke mug.She's the type of girl who never tell her problems to anyone but when she act she's so open. A type of girl who doesn't believe in her self, shes lacking some self confident. she's sturbon and uses bad words a lot but she know how to respect and who to respect. she's smart and active but when laziness comes she will never get up to bed. Lyka is a little bit attracted to girls. She usually like pink and purple at first but black attract her. She have a lot of problems but shes still chillin or sometimes ignore it. Her standards are growing day by day so sometimes she's hard to get so if she likes you, you're so lucky. Please dont mess up with her she's scary.
by Kvyisaum June 8, 2021
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by Lyka :) March 19, 2009
Get the Lyka mug.Lykoudis is a Greek last name derived from the root wolf. Literally translating to "of the Wolf". The peoples of Lykoudis are rendered as people with much potential. They are strong in both spirit and body and have the ability to drastically change the planet forever. Basically the Lykoudis name has gotten so powerful that any human regarded as a Lykoudis has the ability to capture any woman's heart and strike fear to a man's eye with his own. And bitches make them sandwiches. All the time.
by Nirishan January 24, 2011
Get the Lykoudis mug.Lyka is the most amazing, lovable, fun, generous person I’ve ever met. She’s always there for me when I need her and she’s way out of my league. She’s super friendly with everyone and this is why everyone loves her. She’s a gem and is the girl I wanna be with, but she’s a diamond while I’m a rock. She’s always there to brighten up people’s days and it hurts to see when she’s emotionally hurt. I love her
Lyka is my dream girl.
by Anonymous BSS June 29, 2018
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