As its alternate name, Candlemas Bells, would suggest, the snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis, "milk-flower of the snows") is the floral signature of the festival of Imbolc.

Check out 'Snowdrop, Snowdrop,' a charming (and magical) little song by the prolific and thoroughly unpretentious writer of children's songs, Dany Rosevear. Of such humble fieldstones is the temple of modern pagan culture built.

Of course, I've been unable to resist tampering with the lyrics.

Just a little.

 

Snowdrop, Snowdrop

 

Snowdrop, snowdrop, little drop of snow:

what will you do when the cold wind blows?

I'll hide my little head and say:

cold wind, cold wind, go away.

 

Snowdrop, snowdrop, dressed in green and white:

what will you do when the Sun shines bright?

I'll ring my little bell and sing:

Ding-a-ling, ring-a-ling, here comes Spring.

 

You may also want to check out 'Snowdrop,' a traditional Appalachian tune here played on the clawhammer banjo. Let me just mention that, in the old days, banjo heads used to be made from the skin of the groundhog (Marmota monax), Imbolc's animal mascot.

And 'round the Wheel doth turn.