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Dusting off Xmas repertoire
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Subject: Xmas repertoire From: Ana Date: 14 Nov 99 - 05:27 AM OK folks - help needed. Ever dusted off the end of year song repertoire with a sense of "here we go again...same old..same old"? I would really like to hear about others choices - not necessarily religious, as I'm a vaguely pagan sort of being. Humour's good; I prefer lyrical/melodic songs though. I also guess that the speedo flipping over its zero's will make this end of year more significant than most. So what are you thinking of singing/playing/working on that would inspire me (and hopefully others!)?. Thanks - An |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Llanfair Date: 14 Nov 99 - 05:46 AM Really must learn the words to "Fairy Tale of New York" I am always being asked to do it, but can only ever remember the first verse. Otherwise, "In the Bleak Midwinter", "The Wren," "White Christmas",(bet no-one else admits to that!)Stuff like that. Good thread, perhaps I'll be able to learn some more. Hwyl, Bron. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Bugsy Date: 14 Nov 99 - 06:14 AM There's a great song that John Denver wrote. (I'm sorry, my tongue is so firmly in my cheek that I find it hard to type!)Called: "Please Daddy" that starts:- Please Daddy don't get drunk this Christmas I don't want to see my momma cry,..... I must admit that whenever I have sung it, the audience falls apart laughing. It's a great ice breaker. Perhaps it has something to do with the introduction I give it or the Yodelling in the chorus. Great stuff!!!! Cheers Bugsy
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Gary T Date: 14 Nov 99 - 08:51 AM Gordon Lightfoot's "Circle of Steel" is partly set at Christmas, it's a bit of a downer but well crafted, makes you think. His "Song for a Winter's Night" is nice. This year I'm going to learn the "Christmas Boogie", which I have on a tape of country music Xmas songs my nephew put together for me. It's by the Davis Sisters, which I figure must be Frances Davis (real name, died in early-mid 1950's) and Skeeter Davis (stage name, had chart hit in 60's or 70's). It's uptempo and a lot of fun. Sounds great with Davis Sisters harmony. For the coming of the cold season, Joni Mitchell's "Urge for Going" is one of my favorites. Hard to find her recording (I haven't yet, been told it's only on flip side of 45 of "Big Yellow Taxi"), but Tom Rush does it on his "Circle Game" album, somebody like George Hamilton IV does a very nice version I heard a few times on a radio station playing obscure country music. Hope one of these appeals to you. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Liz the Squeak Date: 14 Nov 99 - 09:04 AM I find using different tunes to the old standards gives them a new lease of life ~ using Pentonville or Lyngham to 'While Shepherds watched' is good, but using 'Ilkely Moor bar t'at' is even better. With only a little bit of jiggling, Rudolph the red nosed reindeer goes quite nicely to 'British Grenadiers'. Try some of the old gallery carols, don't ask me where you get them, if it isn't in the Oxford Book of Carols, I have no idea, but there are some there. Doing carol tunes with different instruments in an unusual setting works well too, like taking the folk band into church, or around a hospital (hint - they don't really like bagpipes in the maternity units - it sounds like another baby yelling and sets them all off - my daughter screamed every time she heard pipes played). Or write your own celebrating your own deity/festival, I once heard the ghastliest version of 'Walking in the air', from the Raymond Briggs cartoon 'The Snowman', on the lines of: 'We're following a star....', so dreadful I forgot it instantly, but did manage to snag a copy of the words - I'll see if I can find them and annoy everyone! LTS |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: catspaw49 Date: 14 Nov 99 - 09:17 AM Well finally we've found a use for you around here Squeak!!! LMAO Great idea. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Terry Allan Hall Date: 14 Nov 99 - 09:23 AM Here's a few "mutated" Xmas songs: Jimbob, the Red-neck Reindeer (a tacky little ditty my daughter and I made up a few years ago...you know the chords, I'd bet...) JimBob, the Red-neck Reindeer Had a piss-poor attitude Stood around scratching his cojones And acting in a manner rude JimBob, her liked his Lone Star, He liked honky-tonk from dust to dawn He liked to dance to the "Cotton-eyed Joe" And hurl his guts on Santa's lawn Then one fuzzy Christmas day, Rudolf came to say "JimBob, you're just Cowtown trash!" And JimBob knocked him on his "heiney" Then all the other reindeer Were afraid they'd get what Rudolf got So, Jimbob the Red-neck Reindeer Is still the toughest buck on Santa's lot! and then... I'm Gonna Wear A Santa Suit This X-mas (from the album "Twisted Christmas, Vol. 1) A E7 A I'm gonna wear a Santa suit this Christmas A7 D As soon as I can get out on parole E7 I'll hang around your street A F#7 Your kids I'd love to meet B7 E7 As soon as I can get out of this hole A7 E7 A And I don't mind slidin' down your chimney A7 D 'Cause I just spent 15 years unloading coal D7 A F#7 I'm gonna wear a Santa suit this Christmas B7 E7 A As soon as I can get on parole I'm anxious to be out among the living And I've made a list of folks I plan to see Duded up in red and white Instead of these old stripes Can you imagine how surprised their gonna be? I know the home town folks'll be glad to see me 'Cause by now it's slipped their mind how much I stole I'm gonna... I'm careful to be on my best behavior 'Cause the warden watches everything I do I'm so glad he didn't see That fight in cell block 3 Or I'd here until I'm 92 Just a few more questions from that nice commitee And through those rusty gates I'll proudly stroll I'm gonna... Kinda get's ya in that "holiday spirit", huh? ;-)
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Mark in Mass Date: 14 Nov 99 - 09:49 AM "Down in Yon Forest," in Lorraine Lee Hammond's "The Magic Dulcimer" (Yellow Moon Press, Cambridge) is a traditional English carol with a pagan feel to it: e.g. verse 3: Down under that bed there runs a flood; The bells of Paradise I heard them ring; The half it runs water, the half it runs blood. And I love my Lord Jesus above anything." The nativity takes place in a hall in a forest, rather than a manger in Bethlehem, and the mystery celebrated is that of birth itself, rather than a particular birth. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Liz the Squeak Date: 14 Nov 99 - 09:56 AM See, everyone needs their token Christian at some time!!! Seriously, as I think I mentioned elsewhere, I've been in a church choir for very nearly 3/4 of my life, that is nearly 27 years of singing bloody O little town, and the distressing First Nowell.... I'm sure people love them, because they are only heard once a year, but they are particularly intollerant of any other idea at the end of the year. Bit of 'testifying' here now. I became a Christian because I looked at the other 'teams' around me at the time, and decided that JC and the rest were my sort of team. However, that doesn't mean that I automatically deny every other team exists. That would be like saying I was a West Ham supporter and that Arsenal were non-exisitant (like their chances in the cup this year, snigger snigger), I still have a great deal of sympathy for some of the earlier religions, particularly that of the goddess, and of Wicca. I've been to some of their celebrations, the earth didn't swallow me up, and I didn't feel wrong, or out of place. But I do feel a bit sad, when we sing carols that are so obviously written for a different deity - the Holly and the Ivy is one prime example, a tree worship song if ever I heard one - and I get really steamed when I sing a song that maybe doesn't express the Christian view of Christmas - even the totally pagan wren hunting got twisted to a Christian perspective, and people jump up and down and say that isn't a Christmas song... What has 'White Christmas' got to do with a) the weather, who wants to spend the holidays waiting for the snowplough so you can just go to the shops, or b) with the birth of a prophet/messiah 2000 odd years ago in a sub tropical country, who was probably more than olive in skin tone.... But no-one complains when that gets played to death do they.... Incidentally, Lyngham is otherwise known as the jolly tune for 'O for a thousand tongues to sing', you know, the one that goes into different parts for the last line. And 'O little Town' can fit to 'Jerusalem', if you do a couple of wiggles..... Please can anyone suggest a new tune for 'O come all ye faithful'? Even my twisted brain can't come up with an alternative for THAT!! LTS
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: MMario Date: 14 Nov 99 - 10:42 AM a beautiful christmas carol that hasn't had overexposure is the Huron Carol. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Micca Date: 14 Nov 99 - 11:15 AM Try these they had me ROTFLMAOAHMS it if is just for the craic, as LtS says tho' Sheperds watch their flocks to Ilkley moor is very effective. especially if you have good singers, Liz the Squeak, because of all this choir stuff sings wonderful descant onall kinds of stuff, You should here her when we sing "Oh my darling clementine" to the tune of "Bread of Heaven" (Sorry Bron, he says running for cover0 @parody @pagan filename[ FALSPAGN @parody @Xmas @seasonal filename[ HARIXMAS |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: sophocleese Date: 14 Nov 99 - 11:33 AM My partner and I are doing a couple of small christmas things so we've been looking at seasonal stuff that doesn't require a full choir to sound really good. A lot of christmas tunes I like better when sung with a choir. However, we're doing God Rest You Merry Gentlemen as a waltz, which actually sounds quite nice, (we dropped the Russian version where you emphasize the beat between lines with a loud basso "HEY!"). One song I love is Maddy Prior's Long Shadows, its a winter song and very nice. There's a gentle song in the Oxford Books of Carols called Men from the Fields, well suited for single voice and any instrument that can carry the chords to it. A local group likes to do Good King Wencelas and head straight into Red Wing on the fiddle. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Mbo Date: 14 Nov 99 - 11:53 AM I like the Czech Christmas Lullaby "Rocking," the J.J. Niles gem "Jesus Jesus Rest Your Head," all the carols from "The Bells of Dublin" by The Cheiftains. Like: The Boar's head Carol; Past 3 o'clock; Once in Royal David's City; The Holly She Bears a Berry; and especially Jackson Browne's great "The Rebel Jesus" --"They changed the nature that I worship in from a temple to a robber's den..." So true. So true. --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Liz the Squeak Date: 14 Nov 99 - 12:03 PM The Huron Carol is so underexposed I've never heard of it - any chance of a run through?? I'm still a relative virgin at this, so if the tune has a name just send that, no way could I get a wave file out of this thing... Or if you want to send something to me privately that I might get, use liz_the_squeak@ukgateway.net and it should get to me. I visited Santa Marie among the Hurons whilst in Canada in '94, and was struck by their faith, rather than the manner of their conversion. I must be the only person more interested in the groundhog than the Jesuits there.... Down in Yonder forest is beautiful, another one I'd not heard before until Thursday, when I bought a CD 'A Garland of Carols' by Coope, Boyes and Simpson. Very haunting, very simple to learn and very definately not of Christian origin!!! LTS |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Will Bakker Date: 14 Nov 99 - 12:56 PM There's a really nice swinging folky song of which I only know some lines. I don't remember the singers name either. In some weeks time I will know because this song is often played at the radio in Holland round Christmas. The lines I remember: "well they came from the east and they came from the west and decided to follow that star" "The more you gonna give the more you gonna get to be a woman or a gentleman" (Doesn't make sense, must be slightly different) |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 14 Nov 99 - 01:28 PM My Christmas favorite is CHRISTMAS IN THE TRENCHES by John McCutcheon, HERE. For those with a different bent there is Tom Paxton's A Box of Candy and a Piece of Fruit. Then there is Merry Christmas in the Family by a semi-obscure Southern singer (I forget his name and I'm at work). Roger in Baltimore |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: PattyG Date: 14 Nov 99 - 03:10 PM Still my all time favorite: Star of the East |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Terry Allan Hall Date: 14 Nov 99 - 03:51 PM Here's a few "mutated" Xmas songs: (Just fixed the previous formatting prob...I hope!) Jimbob, the Red-neck Reindeer (a tacky little ditty my daughter and I made up a few years ago...you know the chords, I'd bet...)
JimBob, the Red-neck Reindeer
JimBob, he liked his Lone Star,
Then one fuzzy Christmas day,
Then all the other reindeer So, JimBob the Red-neck Reindeer Is still the toughest buck on Santa's lot! and then...
I'm Gonna Wear A Santa Suit This X-mas (from the album "Twisted Christmas, Vol. 1)
I'm anxious to be out among the living
I'm careful to be on my best behavior
Kinda get's ya in that "holiday spirit", huh? ;-)
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Terry Allan Hall Date: 14 Nov 99 - 03:54 PM That "obscure Southern Singer" is none other than fellow Texan Robert Earl Keen...check out "West Textures". |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Susan A-R Date: 14 Nov 99 - 04:14 PM There is a book of West Gallery Stuff called the Mellstock Carols, available through the Serpent Press. Anyone got an address for this outfit? There doesn't seem to be one on the book. Also, check outthe work John Roberts and Tony Barrand have done with Noell Sing We Clear (I never spell this right, but I believe there's material on Sandy Paton's Folk Legacy Website about them) Masters in this Hall is a good 'un, as is Lo How a Rose. I also have done an interesting pairing with I saw Three Ships and Bring a Torch. The tunes work well together. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: enelrad Date: 14 Nov 99 - 04:52 PM some more....The Cherry Tree Carol.......or all the song on the Bony M Christmas album..esp. Mary's Boy Child...also, the West Indian carol Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy.......and the Echo Carol ( While By My Sheep) |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Mbo Date: 14 Nov 99 - 05:02 PM Ooh, "Une Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle" is also fun to play. --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Peter T. Date: 14 Nov 99 - 05:46 PM I tried a whole lot of French carols last year, and they were fine (Naxos has a couple of Quebec choir albums of Quebecois and French carols that are quite good). They are worth exploring. If I could find a good Spanish selection for this year, I would be thrilled. Anyone? Going back a bit, Joni Mitchell's version of "Urge for Going" is on her recent "Hits" Collection (complementing her "Misses" compilation. I always like "River" as a Christmas song. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Sam Hudson Date: 14 Nov 99 - 06:19 PM Surprised that nobody's mentioned Stan Rogers' 'First Christmas'. Or how about Alan Hull's 'Winter Song'? Nancy and I have also regaled the club with 'Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day' and 'Gaudete' every year for the past seven or eight... |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Mbo Date: 14 Nov 99 - 06:25 PM I always like to thing that "10,000 Miles" by the Pretenders is a Christmas song. It also works well in the folk idiom. --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Stewie Date: 14 Nov 99 - 06:33 PM Keen's 'Merry Christmas from the Family' is not on 'West Textures' but on 'Gringo Honeymoon'. Of the more modern Christmas songs, I like the Red Clay Ramblers' 'Hot Buttered Rum', written and performed by their banjo picker Tommy Thompson. The Texas dance band, Brave Combo, have an excellent CD, originally recorded in Japan and now on Rounder, called 'It's Christmas, Man'. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Mary Date: 14 Nov 99 - 07:56 PM I love the one that goes "you're my sweet maple sugar honey hot buttered rum.." Don't know the name or the author but it is fairly new. I also love Mary of the Wild Moor this time of year. and if you really want to, you can sing O Little Town to the House of the Rising Sun... mg |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Stewie Date: 14 Nov 99 - 08:55 PM Mary, that is the Red Clay Ramblers song I mentioned. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: SeanM Date: 14 Nov 99 - 09:37 PM First off, let me preface by saying that Christmas is the least favorite of the many holidays for me. Far too many years spent in the commercial suburban hell of Southern California listening to my stepmother listening to the Motown Holiday album OVER AND OVER AND OVER again... That out of the way, my personal favorites have always lent themselves to weird trends. A few of my friends do a Dickensian "Saloon Girl" bawdy show that includes a devastatingly obscene and hilarious "Twelve Days of Christmas"... I'm also rather fond of "Fairytale of New York", if only 'cause it's one of the least holiday oriented songs I know... But for real fun, a few friends and myself got together one year down on Balboa Pier in Newport Beach and did acapella carols to the tune of Beatles songs... it was a number of years ago, and before we'd go we would each have 5-6 beers, so the memories are hazy... I just remember having a blast before a large (and hopefully amused) crowd... Sorry for the pointless meanderings, but this seemed like the place... M |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: emily rain Date: 14 Nov 99 - 09:52 PM mary, our local folk jam is going to hear "o little town of the rising sun" if it's the last thing i do. all abbreviations aside, i am laughing my gawd damn ass off. my favorite christmas songs are the originals from the john denver and the muppets christmas together album. don't laugh! they're beautiful and tender: "when the river meets the sea", "the peace carol", "it's in every one of us", etc. i also like lots of those obscure ones from the oxford book of carols, like "all in the morning". my favorite instrumental hands down is "st. basil's hymn". sounds absolutely otherworldly on harp or hammered dulcimer. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Ana Date: 15 Nov 99 - 01:10 AM Whoa ...and what a hoot...Ha! You guys (meaning any gender) have come up with some gems. What fun,to cast the net and to pull out such plentitude. But - you poor dears having to sing songs which connect to the cold bleak clime almost upon you (gloating). I guess that's how the euphemism of "Xmas Cheer" (aka spirit as in alcohol) has come about. It's interesting how the Northern Hemisphere/European end of year Xmas has tailored and formed so many of our traditional Western songs. Meantime - down in the deepest lightest furtherest south (NZ actually) the sun is just thinking about setting. The birds are tweeting wonderfully - no doubt discussing matters of great intellectual depth with their fledglings. The leaves/flowers are sprouting wonderfully - the spirit of new life is everwhere. Now where did I put that bottle of cider. Ana |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Micca Date: 15 Nov 99 - 05:39 AM Ana, any place that has the seasons back to front and a parrott who has forgotten how to fly(the Kakapo) and still produces very good wine and an excellent Single Malt Whisky (the name escapes me) it was wonderful!! Must rate 11 on a scale of weirdnness out of 10. Oh and be warned Liz the Squeaks sister and her Mum live in Auckland, I dont think they sing, well certainly not as good as Liz but they do laugh, and Liz's laugh contravenes at least 3 sections of the Geneva Convention. Speaking of weirdness if your sense of humour works and you have a scientific bent(optional) try Nick Kim's site here http://members.xoom.com/bacchanalia/ (I can't do blue clicky things yet) |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Liz the Squeak Date: 15 Nov 99 - 08:28 AM Ah, but Ana, your delightful next door neighbours have that eternal son of Croydon, UK, Rolf Harris and his 'Six White Boomers', that is one reason why all Christmas songs are winter and northern hemisphere orientated!!!! And I don't really think that singing 'you're a cheap, lousy faggot' would go down to well in our church.... although the Carol of New York is one of my favourites too (just for that line).
O little Town of rising sun has got to me now, and I will probably squirrel it all afternoon whilst on the treadmill and cycle machine.... On the same line, there is an Easter hymn, 'There is a green hill far away', which goes even better, with the addition of 'he died to save us all
LTS |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: patty@@in-motion.net Date: 15 Nov 99 - 10:14 AM (Emily wrote) My favorite christmas songs are the originals from the john denver and the muppets christmas together album. don't laugh! they're beautiful and tender: "when the river meets the sea", "the peace carol", "it's in every one of us", etc.
//HOW could I have forgotten?! Yes, indeed, these songs are gorgeous! SO peaceful (but then, it doesn't seem that everyone desires that!
Had to laugh at SeanM's recollection of hearing Motown C-mas music "over and over again!" I reckon' my kids would have similar sentiments, but it would be about the Ruth Lyons and Doris Day Christmas albums! |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: MMario Date: 15 Nov 99 - 10:21 AM we have long had a standing rule in our household (and in my parents before that) Christmas music is verboten until the day after Thanksgiving, and stops after January 6th. If it comes on the radio or tv, that goes off. And during "the season" - no album or tape can be replayed until at least two others have played.... |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Rex Date: 15 Nov 99 - 10:43 AM Mbo mentioned Jeanette Isabelle, yep that's one of my favourites. Also Pat-a-pan. And there's a soft place in my head, um, heart (yeah that's it) for the Friendly Beasts. Rex |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: sophocleese Date: 15 Nov 99 - 10:46 AM Some good rules there MMario. My kids are itching to get decorations up and I'm holding out until the beginning of December. Last year after a month of daily disputes with my son I took everything out to hang on walls etc. and said "Okay lets get this place decorated!" My son looked completely surprised and made it clear that he was expecting ME to do it all. He discovered that that wasn't the deal at all. I still shudder over aspects of an August trip out to New Brunswick a few years ago when the kids favourite song was Jingle Bells. Scary!! |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Barbara Date: 15 Nov 99 - 12:39 PM If you want a parody, try The Day That Santa Died. "Down In Yon Forest" is in the Oxford Book of Carols, as is Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day; there's a wonderful arrangement of Good Christian Men in the OBC. I like the minor melody carol in the Quaker hymn book, to the effect of "She's black and she's white and Muslim and Hindu and Jew, he's (I forget)... and, oh yes, the Christ Child is you". Other ones I haven't tired of yet: Christ Child Lullabye, more later. Blessings, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Blackcat2 Date: 15 Nov 99 - 01:31 PM Anyone with a bass voice (or close to it) should have "Mr. Grinch" in their mix - I always get a big hand for it - from both kids and adults. Nostalga is a questionable source for me usually, but the song is so cool. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Marion Date: 15 Nov 99 - 03:55 PM Liz the Squeak: I will put words to the Huron Carol in another thread. Don't you like the standard tune to Adeste Fideles? It's one of my favourite carols. Ana: If you want unorthodox Christmas songs, try the Arrogant Worms (a musical comedy trio from Kingston, Ontario). They have a whole CD of cynical/humorous Christmas songs; I haven't heard that CD, but I've heard good reviews of their Christmas concert, and I love the sense of humour exhibited in their other CDs. General: I love "The Friendly Beasts" (words and chords in Rise Up Singing). There is a legend that on every Christmas Eve, farm animals are able to speak and they pass the story on to each other about the birth of Christ. This song is about that. Marion |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Micca Date: 15 Nov 99 - 05:28 PM Marion, I have a little funny ebout Adeste Fidelis,Altho' now Pagan I grew up Catholic in Ireland and sang in a church choir as a boy soprano(Shut up Liz I can hear you squeak/laughing from here) I therefore learned it in Latin and subsequently never learned it in English. One Christmas I was staying with the very posh family of my then girlfriend and their family custom was church on Christmas day. So there am I, a card carrying Pagan( well when in Rome, politeness costs nothing)in a very High Protestant church built around 1200. Everyone stands and starts singing "Oh come all ye faithful"except for "yours Truly" who, for the first time in 400 years, regales the congregation with "Adeste fidelis laete triumphantes" everyone turned and stared, and being very English it was never mentioned by the family again. The vicar invited me for a drink later but thats a different story. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Penny S. Date: 15 Nov 99 - 05:36 PM I keep trying to get the school to sing "While Shepherds Watched" to Ilkley Moor, which it was once sung to. So far no good. Is there any book of the carols sung in pubs in (is it) Derbyshire, where they fled when the bands were kicked out of the churches? I heard some on the radio once, but have never seen any of them anywhere. Penny |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: emily rain Date: 15 Nov 99 - 07:54 PM tom lehrer's "CHRISTMAS TIME" |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Micca Date: 15 Nov 99 - 08:04 PM Penny I think Liz the Squeak's SO has a tape of them if she doesn't pick this up herself I will prompt her.She might do you a copy. Chocolate or offers of chocolate seems to work, |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Hummingbird Date: 15 Nov 99 - 08:11 PM My personal favorite is Ambrose the Amber A- -'d Antelope. Hummer. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Barbara Date: 15 Nov 99 - 08:16 PM I happen to have in my hands here a catalog from Legacy Books with 15 or so tapes and CDs made by Ian Russell of the Christmas Songs of Yorkshire, different pubs each time. It's my understanding that Russell goes to a different pub each year and records the local village songs, and then puts them out on a tape/CD. So each year there's one more. I'm in the process of learning one called the Christmas Tree, and when we get past dress rehearsal week, (this week) for Peter Pan, I will post it for you.
I heard about the village carols on public radio, myself, and here's the message I got back yesterday from the woman who distributes the tapes, sheet music and CDs in this country. (US).
"Dear Barbara
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Barbara Date: 15 Nov 99 - 08:21 PM And here's a very different and powerful wassail song: Homeless Wassail. Can anyone postthe words to the New York City Carol? Blessings, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 15 Nov 99 - 08:30 PM If it's real village carols you want, Ian Russell is your man: http://www.sgpublishing.co.uk/gm/vc/vcabout.html
There are CDs and books and all. And if anyone in the Cattrap was at Sidmouth this year for Christmas in August in the pub, with Ian Russell in his glory wasn't it great. "Cracking" in fact.
At a humbler level, I've a song I wrote myself which I like to sing around Christmas: http://www.macgrath.freeserve.co.uk/Songlists/man%20with%20a%20mandolin.htm#Paper chains
(Sorry not to put inthe blue clicky thing, but I can't find the bit of paper I wrote out with the instructions, and if I don't use that, it always goes wrong) |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Liz the Squeak Date: 15 Nov 99 - 11:18 PM I've no idea what my SO is, and probably wouldn't understand it anyway.... As regards to the Ilkley Moor, I have no idea where it is published as a hymn tune - which it was originally written as, the Yorkshire song came much later - but you should be able to find it in books of traditional English folk song, campsite songs, that sort of thing or try a tune site. It appears to be one of those songs you learn by osmosis - no one every actually writes it down or goes out with the actual intention of learning it, you just seem to magically know it when it get sung on bus journeys or at camp..... There must be thousands of songs out there that people never actually read to learn, or only know the first verse and a half to... Oh no, what have I started now!!!!! However, if you really want, I can sing it down the phone to an answerphone near you, or send a cassette if you are really desperate, let me know on liz_the_squeak@ukgateway.net and we can negotiate the chocolate later... LTS |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: merri@ozemail.com.au Date: 16 Nov 99 - 01:12 AM I've always liked "Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar". It can be sung straight or with a choral behind it (usually one about King David or something). I think this is in the Oxford Book of Carols. I also like "Orana" by James somebody (being Aussie). Orana is an aboriginal word meaning "welcome" (don't know which dialect). This should be readily available as everyone sang it when I was at school (oh no, a while ago now!). Anyway, I have a collection of "alternative" carols, some of which I've heard other places and some of which I wrote myself in desperation... there are lots to "We Three Kings", "While Shepherds Watched", "Twelve Days of Christmas" and I even know one to Jingle Bells. I do like the alternative tune to O Little Town that Cliff Richard and Amy Grant have both done - I don't know what the tune's called but some of you may have heard it. (Don't shoot me!) About the only "commercial" song I've ever acquired a fondness for is Blue Christmas... |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Micca Date: 16 Nov 99 - 07:25 AM SO is shorthand for Significant Other in your case Paul the Shark. Didn't he have a tape of this kind of stuff in the car? and played it on our way somewhere. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Liz the Squeak Date: 16 Nov 99 - 08:39 AM Ah, if you will excuse the pun, Penny drops with resounding clang. I do indeed have a tape of these sort of folky/pub carols, and had forgotten all about them. Can look and see what is on them if you like, but it will take me an hour or two to sort them out. SO has always meant standing order so I have to learn a whole new pile of acronyms... guess this really is TEOTWAWKI..... LTS |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: reggie miles Date: 16 Nov 99 - 12:31 PM What? No mention of that classic by The Three Stooges, "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas". Here's another that goes to the tune of Oh Come All Ye Faithful and celebrates another tradition of the season, the feast.
Oh come get a face full Christmas dinner's ready Oh come eat, oh come eat the turkey is done Potatoes and dressing, all covered in gravy Eggnog and Christmas cookies Pumpkin pie with whipped cream Eat until your pants screeeeeam Tooooo tiiiiight, no more
Sawry, I couldn't help myself. This little ditty just came to me out of the blue one day last year while on my way to play Christmas songs on my razor sharp handtool (my musical saw) down at the Pike Place Market in Seattle. It's been six years ago this season that I first got up the nerve to play the saw in public and it was such a hoot that I've never stopped. Folks seem to really enjoy it. It would be nice to put together a choir of saws to do songs with. Well I can dream can't I. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 16 Nov 99 - 01:36 PM Or the Goons' classic
I'm walking backwards for Christmas
But I can't put it together right now.
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Folksie Lady Date: 16 Nov 99 - 01:57 PM (I'm back, if anyone remembers me! [grin]) Ah, Christmas music....some of my very favorite. I am in the process of doing some "theme tapes" of just these songs. First one is "Dig That Crazy Santa", second is a contemporary re-telling of the Christmas story (entirely Christian), third is childhood and other experiences and the darker side of the holidays (one of Si Kahn's songs, about a factory worker who gets laid off at Christmas, for example), and the last is good ol' fashioned carols and songs we all know. But wait a minute--most of the tunes are not so familiar. Try "O Little Town of Bethlehem" done by John Roberts and Tony Barrand on "Nowell Sing We Clear." Or "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" done by the good folks at Folk-Legacy. And YES--there IS an alternate tune for "O Come, All Ye Faithful"! (my favorite carol) You can find it on "Snow Angels" and it's sung by Kevin Connolly. *Lots* more songs, too numerous to mention here. And check out Cyndi Lauper's "Merry Christmas....Have a Nice Life!" album. It came out last year and is, surprisingly, rather folkie! If you're into Scandinavian stuff, try Garrison Keillor's "Now It Is Christmas Again." I was extremely fortunate to find an old Folkways album at a thrift store this summer. It's by Alan Mills and is called "Christmas Songs of Many Lands." (all sung in English) I doubt this is still in print but it is well worth the effort of a search. I could wax prosaic on this subject for many more paragraphs, but 'tis time to turn over the forum to someone else! :) Good cheer to all, Folksie Lady |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Susan A-R Date: 19 Nov 99 - 11:31 PM How about Jean Ritchie's Brightest and Best. It's in Rise Up Singing as well, and can be done with lovely harmonies. Lots of good Wassail songs out there too. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Curtis & Loretta Date: 20 Nov 99 - 01:08 AM We've been doing Christmas Island the last couple years, with ukulele. A nice, island type Christmas song. I believe it's from the 40's. Leon Redbone recorded it. Loretta S |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Owlkat Date: 20 Nov 99 - 02:53 AM I think these are the words for the Goon's song c I'm walking backwards for Christmas G Across the Irish Sea G I'm walking backwards for Christmas c It's the only thing for me c7 I've tried walking sideways f And to the front d People just smiled and said g "Oh, that's just a publicity stunt" c a I'm walking backwards for Christmas d g c It's the only life for me!!!!! |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 20 Nov 99 - 10:34 AM By Jove, I really needed that Captain Bloodknock c/o HMP Wormwood Scvrubs |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Liz the Squeak Date: 20 Nov 99 - 01:41 PM The pub carols are on a tape called 'Bells of Paradise' (from the Down in yon forest carol that I lied about not hearing until last week, I'd just not remembered that I'd heard it and indeed, sung it several years before). They are from the village of Castleton, in the Derbyshire peak district, and can be had, with booklet, from Village Carols, Bridge House, Unstone, Sheffield UK, S18 5AF. Hope this is useful to someone out there, it sure has been for me, and thank you Micca for reminding me I had it, now, tell me, where is my Best of Queen tape please?? LTS |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: WyoWoman Date: 20 Nov 99 - 10:48 PM Mary -- I am guffawing, Here are some I've done for Christmas: God Bless the Master (The Watersons) Gaudette Le Sommeil de l'Enfant Jesus Malpas Wassail Song (WAtersons) My Dancing Day Sound, Sound Your Instruments of Joy (ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!) Good Old Way And, of course, the ever-splendid "Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel" and "Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming." WW P.S. Mary, did you know that you can sing ANY of Emily Dickenson's poems to "House of the Rising Sun" or, if you know it, "The Yellow Rose of Texas?"
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: CRibet Date: 20 Nov 99 - 11:42 PM Have you heard.. "Time to Remember the Poor"? 'Tis now a Christmas tradition for us. I am looking for the words to "Hush My Babe". I know Doc Watson sang it. And the tune is that of "I shall Arise"..and also the for the hymn "Come Ye Sinners". any clues? |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: CRibet Date: 20 Nov 99 - 11:54 PM Emily...you sound like my kind of person. I love the muppets. And John Denver. Ok....so everybody laugh. But I also play hammered dulcimer and play St Basils Hymn year round. I have just been asked if there were any words to this. As I have heard it is a childrens carol then I would assume that there are. OK...any takers for this one? |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: SingsIrish Songs Date: 21 Nov 99 - 04:52 AM "Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney" and "I Said a Prayer for Santa Claus" recorded by Jimmy Boyd--I love these two! If only I could find the music for them somewhere! Gene Autry's: "He'll be Comin' Down the Chimney" and "Look out the Window" (with Rosie Clooney); and Rosie Clooney's "Suzie Snowflake"... "Deck of Cards" I've heard done at this time of year as well. I like learning songs you don't commonly hear anymore--ie off my parents' collection of LP's and 45's that I haven't come across on cd yet... Mary
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: John McGlinchey (John@Glinchnet.com) Date: 21 Nov 99 - 10:19 AM For those of you who are Stan Rogers fans, Stan also wrote a very funny Christmas song, "At Last I'm Ready for Chistmas" that is now on the just released "From Coffeehouse to Concert Hall" CD. I was at a concert in 1982 just before Christmas when Stan sang this as an encore. It had us rolling in the aisles. Little did I know that this would be the last song I would hear him sing in person. Here are the lyrics, I'm still trying to get the chords right. Any help would be appreciated. John ---------------------------------------------------- At Last I'm Ready For Christmas Stan Rogers, 1982 Last Boxing Day the wife went out the "White Sales" for to see, In trunk-load lots bought half-price paper and tinsel for the tree. I packed it up for use this year in a box I marked so plain. That stuff would sure be handy now, but it's never been seen again. chorus: At last, I'm ready for Christmas, I've even finished the tree, At last, I'm ready for Christmas, like I thought I'd never be! With my feet propped up by a nice hot fire and a matching inside glow, At last, I'm ready for Christmas, with nearly two hours to go! We swore this year we'd start off early, no need to rush around, The intention was to start in August when the prices still were down! But it was dentist-this and new bike-that and the money melts away; So I had to wait for Christmas bonus and did it all yesterday! chorus We must be fools, just look at that pile, you can hardly see the tree! We said this year we'd keep things simple, then did our usual spree. But it feels so good when the kids go nuts! It's work the toil and strain. These kids are only this young once and they'll never be so again. chorus twice
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: wildlone Date: 21 Nov 99 - 12:06 PM Marion, the Friendly Beasts is that the one that goes "I said the donkey with coat of brown"? We sang it a few years ago at a Yetties night and they now use it at Christmass, I would like any info on this song please. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Date: 21 Nov 99 - 04:48 PM The Twelve Days After Christmas The 1st day after Christmas, my true love and I had a fight and so I chopped that pear tree down and burned it just for spite. And with a single cartridge, I shot that blasted partridge, my true love, my true love, my true love gave to me. The 2nd day after Christmas, I pulled on the old rubber gloves and very gently wrung the necks of both those turtle doves. The 3rd day after Christmas, my mother caught the croup. I had to use those 3 french hens to make some chicken soup. The 4 calling birds were a big mistake, for their language was obscene. The 5 gold rings were completely fake for they turned my fingers green. The 6th day after Christmas, the 6 laying geese wouldn't lay. And so I turned the whole darn bunch into the ASPCA. The 7th day after Christmas, oh, what a mess I found. All 7 of those swimming swans had just mysteriously drowned. The 8th day after Christmas, before they could suspect; I bundled up the 8 maids a milking, 9 ladies dancing, 10 lords a leaping, 11 pipers piping, 12 drummers drumming and sent them back collect. I wrote my true love, we are through love, and I said in so many words, "And further more your Christmas gifts are for the birds!" |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: margaret Date: 21 Nov 99 - 08:43 PM did anyone mention "to drive the cold winter away" yet? it's got some extraordinary poetry that you can really have fun with, such as "old grudges forgot/are put in the pot"... but it's still a good song in the end. cheers! |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Liz the Squeak Date: 22 Nov 99 - 05:43 AM I had a tape of St George's Canzona called 'To drive the cold winter away', but the tape machine in the car ate it, and I've been unsuccessful in getting another copy since. Of course, it was one of the ones that I don't have a backup copy for, (don't tell anyone, but I usually copy tapes for the car and leave the original at home for the reason mentioned above, and I'm too lazy to go out to the car every time I'm looking for a tape...) Anyone got any ideas where I can get another?? And I really want to know more about Ambrose the amber a***d whatever.... The 'old grudges forgot/put into the pot' line is based on the pagan ritual at Samhain (Hallowe'en) of writing any regrets/grudges/arguments/whatever on a piece of paper, that was put into a large pot. These were then burnt as part of the Samhain or New Year ritual, so that the new year was started with a clean slate, and the opportunity to make right and resolve whatever you wrote on the paper. LTS |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Liz the Squeak Date: 22 Nov 99 - 06:19 AM The Kipper family wrote the 'Poachers Christmas', using the following: On the 12th day of Christmas my dog and I brought back: 12 stags a rutting 11 salmon swimming 10 hares receding 9 breeding rabbits - all with dirty habits 8 stoned crows 7 pleasant pheasants 6 bootiful turkeys (in joke re: Norfolk accent) 5 poached eggs 4 bald coots 3 lame ducks 2 moor hens and a partridge in an old sack On the 13th day of Christmas my dog and I got caught with: (SPOKEN) We got taken to court and tried, and spent the next 14 days inside... LTS
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Allan C. Date: 22 Nov 99 - 07:22 AM I have been enjoying a Waterbug CD by William Pint and Felicia Dale called "When I See Winter Return" which includes a varitey of songs-which-haven't-been-sung-to-death, or at least a different treatment of a couple of them. One I like a lot is "Quant Je Vo Yver Retorner" (which is odd because I don't understand a word of it!) and another is "Over the Hill and Over the Dale". There is a song on the Kingston Trio Christmas CD called "The White Snows of Winter" which I have always loved as well - partly because I recognize that has the potential for being done far better than that. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Allan C. Date: 22 Nov 99 - 08:31 AM I found this site a couple of weeks ago which may be of some interest. It features lyrics to songs in celebration of Winter Solstice. It appears that there is a CD available here. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Folksie Lady Date: 24 Nov 99 - 03:57 AM Went to Borders tonight....lots of holiday music about, mostly same old same old, but there was one bright spot: a new CD by Dan Fogelberg. Anyone heard this? I think I bought it because of the song "This Endris Night", one of the rarely sung yet beautiful songs. FL |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Stewie Date: 24 Nov 99 - 09:27 AM For non-traditional stuff, there are nearly 50 CDs listed here, ranging from Emmylou Harris to Tiny Tim: http://www.villagerecords.com/christmas/ |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: KathWestra Date: 24 Nov 99 - 03:29 PM I agree that the St. George's Canzona recording, "To Drive the Cold Winter Away," is sensational. (Bummer that it got et!) No idea if it's still available, but definitely worth looking for. A similar recording by the Baltimore Consort is called "Bright Day Star," and is definitely available on CD. It's a marvelous collection of unusual holiday material, and one of my favorites of the season. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Liz the Squeak Date: 25 Nov 99 - 05:18 AM How available is it in UK? 'Cos sometimes we get stuff the US doesn't, and vice versa. We're falling over the stuff, and transponders are treating it like hens teeth. Any chance of an ISBN please? Thanks, LTS |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Genie Date: 03 Dec 01 - 03:34 PM There's a beautiful carol called "In The Bleak Midwinter," which can be found in the Unitarian Hymnal (as can the tune an first two verses of "The Huron Carol."
BTW, some hymnals have "Allelujah" in the chorus of the Huron Carol. I sing it with "Ahatonia" (which, I believe is a Huron translation) instead.
Does anyone know if it was originally written in French or in the Huron language? And does anyone know where I could get the original (not English) words?atonia" (which, I believe is a Huron translation) instead. "This Endris Night" sounds intriguing. What's the name of the Dan Fogelberg it's on? |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Robin2 Date: 03 Dec 01 - 10:48 PM I'll submit a great little 18th century English Dance tune "The John Tallis Canon". Makes a wonderful holiday instrumental. The tune can be found at: Great for any lead instruments Robin
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: GUEST Date: 04 Dec 01 - 06:29 AM What is "Xmas"? |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Morticia Date: 04 Dec 01 - 12:56 PM Strange, I've been squirreling the Corpus Christi Carol all damn day,had to go look up the words when I got in as I could only remember the first verse.... and I didn't even notice this thread 'til now.Spooky, eh? |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Snuffy Date: 04 Dec 01 - 07:21 PM Apparently the use of X to mean Christ was a usage of the medieval scribes. In Greek the letter Chi is written X, and being the first letter of Christ, X was adopted as the abbreviation. Thus Xmas = Christmas, and Xofer = Christopher, Xian = Christian, etc. (P.S. why is abbreviation such a long word?) WassaiL! V |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: GUEST Date: 04 Dec 01 - 07:44 PM To think that the common person has any idea about the X besides some sort of abbreviation is highly doubtful. It's just another example of a lazy society. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: Genie Date: 05 Dec 02 - 02:54 PM refresh |
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Subject: Dusting off Xmas repertoire - This Endris Night From: GUEST,Genie Date: 11 Dec 06 - 03:59 AM Folksie Lady, I bought Dan Fogelberg's Christmas album for my sister last year and did not get to hear it till she played it. I really enjoyed the kind of Medieval flavor to the album, and "This Endris Night" is an especially beautiful cut. I've decided to add that one to my repertoire also. |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: oldhippie Date: 11 Dec 06 - 07:40 AM Joyce Poley of Canada has a nice Christmas CD, containing an excellent song "Would You Like To Hold The Baby". |
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Subject: RE: Dusting off Xmas repertoire From: GUEST,Wayne Date: 11 Dec 06 - 10:08 AM Dan Fogleberg is my favourite singer-songwriter but I must admit I hadn't realized he'd made a Christmas album. Last I heard, he was still strugglig with his health. Is it readily available? Diolch Wayne |
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