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Christmas songs
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Subject: Christmas songs From: greta@blowfish.com Date: 04 Nov 97 - 07:22 PM Yes, I know, it's appallingly early to be thinking about Christmas songs, but thinking about them I am. I'm looking for all the words to "Bring your torches, Jeanette, Isabella" and (I think it's called) "The Angel Gabriel" (the one that begins "The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came"), and my friend is looking for the words to a song called (she thinks) "Past 3 o'clock and a cold and frosty morning." Also, if anybody has the "Nails, nails shall pierce his flesh" verse of "What child is this?", that would be great. Yr. most obedient and humble servant, Greta |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: alison Date: 04 Nov 97 - 07:53 PM Hi Go to Jen's lyrics site, she has a whole section for Christmas stuff, (http://www.enternet.co.nz/client/personal/jen/lyricindex.html) we always sang the Angel Gabriel's last line as "Most highly flavoured gravy, Glor-ia." Well it was primary school. slainte Alison |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 04 Nov 97 - 08:35 PM The song about Gabriel is called "Gabriel's Message", and it is quite old. Sting did a surprisingly good version a few years back. Speaking of that CD (A Very Special Christmas? something like that) there is Santa Baby, performed by Madonna. You can also listen to the original, by Eartha Kitt, on a CD I think is called A Hipster's Christmas. Both are good, but heresy! I rather like Madonna's version, since her more boo-boo-be-doop version is more in keeping with the theme of the song and sounds more, well, more loose. On Hipster's Christmas are two marvellous songs by Louis Armstrong, "Zat You, Santa Claus?" and "Christmas Night in Harlem". (I've rarely gone wrong purchasing anything by Satchmo.) There are a lot of good Christmas songs from the modern pre-rock-and-roll era, although I do confess to liking "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree." For traditional Christmas songs, I am very happy to learn that Vanguard has released Joan Baez's Noel on CD, which I simply must have for this Christmas as it is one of my favourites. All of the songs are traditional, although some are actually Advent, rather than Christmas, carols. (There's a difference) I can never tire of Coventry Carol, or Down In Yon Forest (The Bells of Paradise), although I suppose I hear them only at one season a year. As a boy I used to sing in the church choir, and always liked As Joseph Was A-Walking, although I've never found it on a recording. The Boar's Head is a jolly old song, which you may hear along with many other jolly old songs on the Chieftains' Bells of Dublin CD. Here in Canada we have The Huron Carol, although I have never heard a recorded version which appealled to me. (Any recommendations) A French priest wrote it to explain Christmas to the Indians, thinking (probably correctly) that they'd never understand the Biblical version. The English version begins:
'Twas in the moon of wintertime |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: John in Brisbane Date: 04 Nov 97 - 09:58 PM My modern favourite is 'Christmas In The Trenches' which is in the DT. Does anyone know about the authorship, and any other material from the same pen? Regards John |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Earl Date: 04 Nov 97 - 11:28 PM Is Halloween over already? |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Charlie Baum Date: 04 Nov 97 - 11:44 PM "Christmas in the Trenches" is by John McCutcheon, based on a true story from World War I (or the Great War, as it was known before WWII). My favorite Christmas song is the lyrics to "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" sung to the tune of Villulia (Sacred Harp, p. 54 bottom)--as learned from members of Norumbega Harmony. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: WHAT CHILD IS THIS?^^^ From: Joe Offer Date: 05 Nov 97 - 01:28 AM Well, here’s "What Child Is This?" complete with that awful second verse. What Child is This? What child is this, who, laid to rest On Mary's lap, is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary! Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear: for sinners here, The silent world is pleading: Nails, spear shall pierce him through, The cross be born, for me, for you: Hail, the Word made flesh, The Babe, the son of Mary! So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come peasant king to own Him, The King of kings, salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Raise, raise the song on high, The Virgin sings her lullaby: Joy, joy, for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary! The tune, of course, is "Greensleeves." -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Joe Offer Date: 05 Nov 97 - 02:11 AM Hey, Tim - give us a few more lines from "As Joseph Was A-Walking." could it be the "Cherry Tree Carol"? There's a nice recording of that on the Peter, Paul and Mary Christmas album. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: Lyr Add: BRING A TORCH, JEANETTE ISABELLA^^ From: dani Date: 05 Nov 97 - 09:40 AM 1. Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle, un flambeau, courons au berceau! C’est Jesus, bonnes gens du hameau, le Christ est ne, Marie appelle, Ah!Ah! Que la mere est belle, Ah!Ah! que lEnfant est beau! 1. Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella, bring a torch and quickly run. Christ is born, good folks of the village, Christ is born and Mary’s calling, Ah!Ah! Beautiful is the mother, Ah!Ah! Beautiful is her child. 2. Come and see within the stable, come and see the Holy One, Come and see the lovely Jesus, brown his brow,his cheeks are rosy Hush!Hush! Quietly now he slumbers, Hush!Hush! Quietly now he sleeps. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Date: 05 Nov 97 - 09:58 AM I can't remember all the words to that song, Joe. I sang it when I was about twelve or so. I've heard choirs sing it since but I didn't know of any recordings. I think it starts like the following, but I could have mixed up a couple of the lines from the later verse, because I think maybe the first verse mentions the manger and the later verse the clothing. I do remember the "wearen" although I may have spelled it wrong. Assume its some old word.
As Joseph was a-walking he heard an angel sing Yes, there are some lovely French ones too. As a matter of fact I came across a fragment of what looks like a lovely old carol. I'll dig it out and post it in case someone here can point me to a full version and recording. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Sheye Date: 05 Nov 97 - 10:43 AM Posted my two non-traditional favourites: Nothing but a Child (Steve Earl) and Mary go 'Round (David Alan Coe). Being raised a French RC, I have strong memories of the Sisters rounding us up for choir practice about this time of year. (S'il y a un "t", on veux l'entendre!!! Commence encore...) |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: cleod Date: 05 Nov 97 - 12:49 PM I'm also looking for the song greta's friend mentioned: "Past 3 o' clock" There's a great version on The Chieftains' "The Bells of Dublin" but it was sung by a choir, so I couldn't make out most of the words... Slainte! cleod |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: S.P. Buck Mulligan Date: 05 Nov 97 - 02:58 PM (I'm truly sorry not to be able to resist posting this; I only wish I had made it up) A group of chess enthusiasts had checked into a hotel, and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. "But why?", they asked, as they moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer." |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Bruce O. Date: 05 Nov 97 - 03:05 PM I would like to see song (and tune) "Past 3 O'clock", too. It might be connected to a tune "Past One (or 12) o'clock on a cold frostie morning". I've never found a song that fit this title. A crude version of the tune appeared in the ballad operas 'Flora' and 'The Beggars Wedding', but the tune had appeared earlier under the Gaelic title "Ta me ma Chullers na doushe me" (I am asleep and don't waken me) in the Neals' Dublin collection of 1724, and as "Chami ma chattle" in Stuart's music for Tea Table Miscellany, c 1726. Both English and Gaelic titles are found in several later Scots and Irish collections. Burke Thumoth, 12 Scotch and 12 Irish Airs, c 1744, gave the tune as an Irish one, but under the English title. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Joe Offer Date: 05 Nov 97 - 03:36 PM Buck, as to your pun, I gotta say I enjoyed it. Tim, your song certainly isn't the Cherry Tree Carol, of which there are three versions in the database. Does anyone have the complete lyrics and tune for Tim's carol, "As Joseph was a-walking"? It sounds like it would be a good one. I have a little trouble with songs like "What Child Is This?" and "We Three Kings" that have verses that don't jive with my rather liberal theology. Many of our traditional songs have horrible verses that don't get sung very often, and that's probably a good thing. On the other hand, I hate to censor things and I hate to change a song just to make it "politically correct." Usually, I try to sing the lyrics in the original form, but I tend to leave out verses that are offensive. "We Three Kings" poses a problem, because there's a gap in the song if you leave out that morbid third king. I haven't figured a way around that problem yet, so I usually do the first verse and leave it at that. 4. Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfumeIsn't that a happy thought for Christmas? -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Bruce O. Date: 05 Nov 97 - 04:34 PM [Read bold letters as super scripts.]
Sit yow merry Gentlemen
In Bethlehem sweet Jury
From God that was his father
O feare not say'd the Angell
The sheepheards at this hearing
And when they came to bethlehem
With sudden joy and gladnesse
Unto or lord sing praises
The editors of The New Oxford Book of Carols, 1992, say "God rest you merry gentlemen" is first found in Wm. Sandy's Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern, 1833. The above text, however, is from a MS of c 1650.
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Jerry Friedman Date: 05 Nov 97 - 05:40 PM Jury = Jewry? frandes = friends? The myrrh verse is the BEST part of "We Three Kings". Sung by a bass, if possible. Oh, I guess I mean "to my taste". |
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Subject: Lyr Add: FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK^^^ From: John in Brisbane Date: 05 Nov 97 - 05:42 PM Hope this isn't too far from genre but having seen Christy Moore perform this in the last few days I couldn't resisit submitting it. Fairytale Of New York It was Christmas Eve babe In the drunk tank An old man said to me, won't see another one And then he sang a song The Rare Old Mountain Dew And I turned my face away And dreamed about you Got on a lucky one Came in eighteen to one I've got a feeling This year's for me and you So happy Christmas I love you baby I can see a better time When all our dreams come true They've got cars Big as bars They've got rivers of gold But the wind goes right through you It's no place for the old When you first took my hand On a cold Christmas Eve You promised me Broadway was waiting for me You were handsome You were pretty Queen of New York City When the band finished playing They howled out for more Sinatra was swinging All the drunks they were singing We kissed on the corner Then danced through the night (Chorus(ish)) The boys of the NYPD choir Were singing 'Galway Bay' And the bells were ringing Out for Christmas day You're a bum You're a punk You're an old slut on junk Living there almost dead on a drip In that bed You scum bag You maggot You cheap lousy faggot Happy Christmas your arse I pray God It's our last I could have been someone So could anyone You took my dreams From me when I first found you I kept them with me babe I put them with my own Can't make it all alone I've built my dreams around you Regards John HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 21-Mar-01. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 05 Nov 97 - 06:20 PM "Jury" is an odd word there. The root of it is from AF "juree", an oath or inquiry, but that doesn't seem to make much sense either. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: AS JOSEPH WAS A-WALKING^^ From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 05 Nov 97 - 06:39 PM Joe, you were right the first time. The song is a variation of The Cherry Tree Carol. I found the words on the Net, although this is different from the one I knew.
I am not satisfied that this is the version I used to sing in the choir, but it is certainly close. It seems to me that verses one and two go together, and should be something akin to verse one in front of verses three and four, because verse one is sung differently than the other three. I think each of them is supposed to start with four lines akin to verse one beginning "As Joseph was a-walking", although he sees or hears something different each time. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Greta Date: 05 Nov 97 - 07:54 PM Holy Cow. As a newcomer to this forum, I must say I am impressed (and very happy to be here). I vaguely remember there being another verse to Jeannette, Isabella, that begins "It is wrong while the baby is sleeping/It is wrong to be talking so loud." But it could just be a figment of my fevered imagination. Anyone else remember it? And thanks so much for the other info (and for the chatter in general). Again, I'm very, very happy to have found this place. (I'll see if I can dig up The 12 Days Home For Christmas ("On my 1st day home for Christmas, my mother said to me") in exchange for all your kind efforts. -Greta |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Greg F. Date: 05 Nov 97 - 08:08 PM Can anyone supply lyrics to "In The Bleak Midwinter"? Believe it to be late 19th century, and words may be by Christina Rossetti- but of that I'm not sure. Thanks! |
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Subject: Lyr Add: BRING A TORCH, JEANETTE ISABELLA^^ From: Joe Offer Date: 05 Nov 97 - 11:57 PM Well, Greta, this forum runs on guilt. I saw the song before and knew there was another verse, but I just didn't feel like typing it. Now that you bring it up, I feel guilty that I was too lazy to type, so I typed it now: Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella, Bring a torch, Jeanette Isabella, Bring a torch to the stable run! It is Jesus, good folk of the village; Christ is born and Mary’s calling: Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the mother, Ah! Ah! Beautiful is her son! It is wrong when the child is sleeping, It is wrong to talk so loud; Silence, all, as you gather around, Lest your noise should waken Jesus: Hush! Hush! See how fast he slumbers: Hush! Hush! See how fast he sleeps! Softly to the little stable, Softly for a moment come; Look and see how charming is Jesus, How he is white, his cheeks are rosy! Hush! Hush! See how the child is sleeping; Hush! Hush! See how he smiles in his dreams. Un flambeau, Jeanette Isabelle, Un flambeau, courons au berceau! C’est Jesus, bonnes gens du hameau, Le Christ est ne, Marie appelle, Ah! Ah! Que la mere est belle, Ah! Ah! que l’enfant est beau! Here's yet another carol that poses some difficulties for those of us who like to display at least some sensitivity. The white baby with rosy cheeks might be a little difficult for some to swallow these days. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: rich r Date: 06 Nov 97 - 12:39 AM The only time I ever had a solo in my most recent church choir involvement was as that bloody third king. Problem is I can't decide if I should hold it in special fondness or if the fact that it was assigned to me is compelling evidence that it should be deep sixed. rich r |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Moira Cameron Date: 06 Nov 97 - 01:53 AM My favourite version of the Cherry Tree Carol is sung by John Roberts and Tony Barrand on one of their Nowell Sing We Clear albums. Another topical song, although not strickly a Christmas song is the Bitter Withy. John and Tony have this recorded on the same album as the Cherry Tree Carol, I believe, but I prefer the version sung on a Waterson's album. So many versions to these songs! Also, although this one isn't very jolly, Frankie Armstrong's "Anti-Carol" is a good one. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: alison Date: 06 Nov 97 - 06:36 AM Hi I've got both Past 3 o'clock, and In the Bleak midwinter (which is a beautiful carol to a gorgeous tune, which I never get to sing over here seeing as it's so hot at Christmas......In the blistering midsummer just hasn't got the same ring to it. I'll post them tomorrow. For a heap of Christmas stuff have a look at http://www.enernet.co.nz/client/personal/jen/lyricsxmas.htm Slainte alison |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Wolfgang Hell Date: 06 Nov 97 - 08:04 AM Alison's hint is really worth following, but it only works with "enternet" replacing "enernet". |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Wolfgang Date: 06 Nov 97 - 08:10 AM I once heard an anti-Christmas song called "Thank Christ for Christmas" denouncing the commercialization of Christmas. I'd love to have the lyrics to this. Wolfgang |
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Subject: Lyr/Tune Add: IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER From: alison Date: 06 Nov 97 - 06:42 PM Hi Thanks Wolfgang. Well as promised here they are. IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER Words: C. G. Rossetti (1830-1894) Tune: G. Holst (1874-1934) Capo 3 (D)In the bleak mid-(Bm)winter (Em)frosty wind made moan, (A) (D)Earth stood hard as (Bm)iron, (Em)water (A7)like a (D)stone. (G)Snow had (D7)fallen, (G)snow on (Bm)snow, (D)snow (G)on (A)snow, (D)In the bleak mid-(Bm)winter (Em)lo-(A)-ng (D)ago. Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain: Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign: In the bleak mid-winter a stable place sufficed God, the Lord Almighty, Jesus Christ. (Take your pick of the next 2 verses we always sang the 1st one) Angels and archangels may have gathered there Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air, But only His mother in her maiden bliss Worshipped the beloved with a kiss. Enough for him whom cherubim worship night and day, A breast full of milk and a manger full of hay: Enough for Him whom angels fall down before, The wise men and the shepherds who adore. What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man I would do my part: Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart. PAST THREE A CLOCK (honest that's how it's written!!) Past three a clock, and a cold frosty morning: Past three a clock: Good morrow masters all! 1. Born is a baby, gentle as maybe, Son od th'eternal! Father supernal Past three a clock, etc. 2. Seraph quire singeth, Angel bell ringeth: Hark how they rime it, Time it and chime it. Past three a clock, etc. 3. Mid earth rejoices hearing such voices Ne'ertofore so well caroling Nowell Past three a clock, etc. 4. Hinds o'er the pearly dewy lawn early Seek the high stranger laid in the manger. Past three a clock, etc. 5. Cheese from the dairy bring they for Mary, And not for money, butter and honey, Past three a clock, etc. 6. Light out of star-land leadeth from far land Princes to meet Him, worship and greet Him. Past three a clock, etc. 7. Myrrh from full coffer, incense they offer: Nor is the golden nugget withholden Past three a clock, etc. 8. Thus they: I pray you, up, sirs, nor stay you Till we confess Him likewise and bless Him. Past three a clock, etc. (According to the blurb "Past three a clock” is old (Trad), but the other words are by G.R. Woodward.)
To download the October 30 MIDItext 97 software click here
To download the October 30 MIDItext 97 software click here
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Subject: Lyr Add: CHRISTMAS COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR^^ From: Moira Cameron Date: 06 Nov 97 - 07:57 PM Wolfgang, are you referring to the song by Enoch Kent to the tune of Mary's Boy Chile? Christmas Comes But Once A Year by Enoch Kent Christmas comes but once a year, so the holy bible says And man must stash his cash all year because of Christmas Day. All the stores were gaily garnished; tinsel and imitation snow. And we look forward to Christmas Day, and we hope we have enough dough. Some people say it's all because of a boy called Jesus Christ, And not for making excess cash; those people are not very nice. Ring the cash up, sing the praises, the Saviour born to men; He saved us all from bankruptcy; may he soon come round again. Now Nina & Frederik & Gracie Fields are getting in the act, For a Christmas song sells like a bomb, and that's a bloody fact. Mary's Boy Chile, Little Donkey, Santa, kisses, mum- As long as you play on the theme, you'll make a goodly sum. So merry Christmas everyone, although the greeting's stale. If you didn't get the gift you wanted, then you'll get it in our January sale. Hallelujah, line the pavements, cram the cash-desk with your pay. Thank God for Christianity, and roll on Christmas Day! HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 22-Mar-01. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Greta Date: 06 Nov 97 - 08:43 PM Wow. Thanks, dudes and dudesses. You rock. (And yes, I got "Gabriel's Message" from Jen's site. Thanks.) I actually kinda like the "third king" verse in We Three Kings. It's just so terribly wrong, I kinda gotta love it. Such a cheery, Christmasy feel... So as promised, here is The 12 Days Home for Christmas. The story: I've been hearing the "mother" version around the SF Bay Area for a couple/few years now, but nobody knew where it came from and nobody could remember it past the 7th day (the singer usually wimped out with some version of "On the eighth day, I couldn't stand it any more and I left"). So I went ahead and made up verses 8-12. If anybody knows (a) the original source so I can attribute it properly, and (b) the original verses 8-12, I'd be beholden. The "father" version I made up myself. Enjoy. The 12 Days Home for Christmas On my (X) day home for Christmas, my mother said to me, (1) You have no nice clothes to wear. (2) You've put on some weight. (3) You should get a job. (4) Visit your Aunt Ruby. (5) Still no boyfrieeeeeend? (6) What's that in your suitcase? (7) Do you smoke marijuana? (8) Why don't you grow up? (9) What do you call that haircut? (10) How about some grandkids? (11) You're not getting younger. (12) Did I say something wrong? On my (X) day home for Christmas, my father said to me, (1) Why don't we watch the game? (2) Don't the Bears look great? (3) How about them Bulls? (4) God, I hate the Yankees. (5) The Niners should have never traded Jooooooe! (6) Turf wrecks the game. (7) Golf really sucks. (8) Koufax was the best. (9) Tennis is for wimps. (10) Aren't the Blackhawks goats? (11) The Cubs'll do it this year. (12) Hand me the remote. (Team names may be changed to suit the appropriate father.) -Greta |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Andre Date: 06 Nov 97 - 11:53 PM Looking for sheet music for The Christ Child's Lullaby, sung by Sheena Wellington on Narada's Celtic Spirit and by Kathy Mattea on her Good News Christmas album. Any help out there? Thanks. Andre |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Pete M Date: 07 Nov 97 - 02:01 AM Tim Jaques, the word is actually "Jewry" as in, of or pertaining to Jews and the holy land. BTW for my money the best Christmas CD has got to be A tapestry of carols by Maddy Prior. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Wolfgang Date: 07 Nov 97 - 03:53 AM Moira, that's the song, despite the differing titles. If I had any doubts, the name Enoch Kent settled it. The group I heard it of was The Exiles, a scottish group including Enoch Kent. Thanks so much. Wolfgang |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Greg F. Date: 07 Nov 97 - 07:45 AM Thanks, Alison! Much appreciated; it is a beautiful carol. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 07 Nov 97 - 08:53 AM I never minded the sorrowful third king. It's an integral part of the story. I must dig up that fragment of an old French carol once sung locally, in case any of you can identify a source for me. . . . |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Nonie Rider Date: 25 Nov 97 - 01:52 PM I've got a special fondness for that morbid third king; my family, having three children, gave each of us a verse to solo on, and since I was the troublemaker and Dark Shadows fan, I much preferred the gloom to sweetness&light. As an adult, I'm probably even fonder of it. Christ's death, in all its physical gore, is an integral part of his story. As the final verse sums it up, "Glorious now behold him arise/King and God and Sacrifice." Even at the time of his birth, the Kings bring him three prophetic gifts. Mind you, I'm not particularly Christian myself, but I admire the tight-knit symbols of a good story. (Of course, one could always weave in the ?Second Shepherd's Play? and write a fourth verse about the deep prophetic meaning of giving him a tennis ball...) (Sounds rather like Tom Holt's GRAILQUEST (I believe that's the book) where an ancient one-eyed god attended by wolves and ravens got invited to the birth, and not bothering to come up with a suitable gift, gave the holy child a pair of old socks. For this offense, he is doomed to give Yule gifts to children forever, with the hung stockings a cruel reminder of his curse. He is, of course, attended by his ancient warcaptain Radulf, who stalks the night skies like the Wild Hunt, with his nose burned red by his battle against the Fire Giants, and the remnants of tinsel glittering coldly on his horns.) |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 25 Nov 97 - 07:50 PM They weren't kings, BTW, but Magi, which I understand were priests in the pre-Muslim Persian religion that is still practiced by the Farsis in India. I think they worshipped fire and kept and eternal flame. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 25 Nov 97 - 08:04 PM I should mention I just bought another CD called Christmas In New Orleans, which amongst other artists features Louis Armstrong singing that song. I wonder if Satcho did enough Christmas songs to release an entire CD of them? |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 25 Nov 97 - 08:54 PM Oops, spoke too soon. I see that the same company, Stanyan, has a CD out called "Louis Armstrong: Christmas Through The Years", 12 774. They also have one, 12 780, "A Very Cherry Christmas". Hmm. Nothing but variations of the Cherry Tree Carol? They have one, 12 777, "Bah! Humbug! Christmas Songs for Grinch and Grouch." Doesn't say what might be on it. Speaking of Grinches, I was pleased to see that the songs from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas are now out on a CD. Contrary to my usual practice of not listening to Christmas songs until at least the middle of December, I am sampling new CD's tonight. I am involved in booking bands for the local parade, and nothing can put you more out of the Christmas spirit than helping to organize a Christmas parade. I'm hoping listening to the music will give me some spirit. For the second year in a row the bagpipers have backed out on us, begging possible damage to their pipes. How can you have a Canadian parade without bagpipes? However the excellent Detroit bands are coming again, so all is well I suppose. I won't feel safe until I see the last one march out of the marshalling area . . . |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Alice Date: 26 Nov 97 - 10:57 AM Regarding the third king (Magus), I agree with Nonie. Birth has it's natural twin of death, and in our society we are used to being in denial about that. BTW, welcome, Greta. This is the most fun site on the internet for traditional music fans like us. Alice in Montana |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Sir Date: 26 Nov 97 - 03:27 PM In regards to the 3rd King (yes, we know they were not royalty) - His verse might very well be why the verses are written in a minor key. There are many happy songs written in minor including, some nice ones from eastern Europe, but people often think of minor as being sad. In regards to the 3rd King and the 2nd verse of "What Child is This" - If you take Easter away from Christmas you may as well have a commercialized holiday celebrating the Winter Solstice or Saturn. If you take the cross and resurrection from Christianity you might as well have a religion as opposed to a relationship. {Okay, flame me - I can take it.} Or if it's just sadness at Christmas time that you object to remember Mary was told a sword would pierce her soul, not to mention the slaughter of the innocents by King Herod. |
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Subject: Lyr/Tune Add: THE ANGEL GABRIEL, HIS SALUTATION^^ From: Bruce O. Date: 26 Nov 97 - 06:30 PM Here's a broadside carol that's been around since 1639. It's a lot more like the Biblical account than The Cherry Tree Carol. The Angel Gabriell, his Salutation to the blessed Virgin Mary To the tune of, The Blazing Torch.
When righteous Jospeh wedded was
That's wonderous strange quoth Mary then
Which heavenly message she believes,
Wherefore (thought he) to shun that shame
For she is purely Maid and Wife,
Thus Mary with her Husband kind,
Sing praises then both old and young, There are traditional texts and tunes in Journal of the Folk Song Society, 1905. See also the Traditional Ballad Index on the internet. There is no absolute proof that the tune "The blazing torch (is soon burnt out)" is the same as "I'll never love the more", but there is some strong circumstantial evidence for the identification (The blazing torch may well have been the original title of the tune). Both songs appeared about 1624. In 18th century Scotland the tune was that called Chevy Chase. The tune is still a very nice one, which I have heard at Colonial Williamsburg.
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: rastrelnikov Date: 27 Nov 97 - 08:46 PM Fascinating thoughts. The morbid third verse of We Three Kings is oft unprinted and heck, I'd lost track of what fun it might be to sing it :) The three chessnuts boasting by an open foyer is fabulous. And I've promptly been told that some Americans might even pronounce it foy er, but it still works as foy eh? Tim, a Canadian Parade without bagpipes. You're too close to the border. Parades aren't Canadian. Period. (Except maybe the Grey Cup Parade in former years...). Miles Davis (I think) once recorded Blue Christmas ...when the greedy give a dime to the needy... Makes you think Miles wasn't exactly in the spirit? Now that, I wouldn't have minded hearing in the Blockbuster early in the month... |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 29 Nov 97 - 12:06 AM Well, we here in the border area aren't like Canadians inland. It is always good to get the enthusiastic high school bands from Detroit. Our theme is "A Canadian Christmas, so I told them that Canadian Christmases around here always include Americans, just as American Thanksgivings always include Canadians going to the Lions game. Some of these American high school bands have a hundred kids just playing their horns, let alone the banner wavers and baton twirlers. Think of me tomorrow at 4:00 PM EST, as I attempt to marshall the hordes. Me, two other guys, and about 1000 kids. Chaos! If you happen to be at the corner of Bruce and Giles in Windsor I'll be the stressed guy with the clipboard and Santa hat. But I do not buy this nonsense about the bagpipes being liable to freeze and split because of the moisture caused by blowing into them. For one thing, I have since learned that in colder climes east of here the pipers march and play. (And bagpipes have been in this country before it was a country. And is Scotland a tropical nation, I ask you?) For another thing, I think the problem could be solved by the pipers keeping flasks of Scotch on hand, and taking a swig every so often as they march. The alcohol so blown in would keep the pipes from splitting with the cold. BTW, it is supposed to be just under 50 degrees F at parade time so I don't think anything would freeze although I admit they wouldn't know that months in advance. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: bcnu@eskimo.com Date: 01 Dec 97 - 01:39 PM I'm looking for the words to Christmas in Killarney. I'm collecting songs and stories for "An Irish Christmas." Tom Galt |
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Subject: Lyr Add: CHRISTMAS IN KILLARNEY^^ From: Tom Galt Date: 01 Dec 97 - 02:13 PM Just found the official lyrics to "Christmas in Killarney," by Stan Rogers, and sung by Bing Crosby, but am disappointed at how few stanzas. I hope some of you folks know other verses. If not, I'll just have to make up some personalized ones. Here's the official lyrics: Christmas in Killarney by Stan Rogers The holly green, the ivy green The prettiest picture you've ever seen Is Christmas in Kil-larney With all of the folks at home. It's nice, you know, to kiss your beau While cuddling under the mistletoe And Santa Claus you know, of course Is one of the boys from home. The door is always open The neighbors pay a call And Father John be-fore he's gone Will bless the house and all. How grand it feels to click your heels And join in the fun of the jigs and reels I'm handing you no blarney The likes you've never known Is Christmas in Kil-lar-ney With all of the folks at home. -------------------- I'm tom Galt in Western Washington - putting together songs and stories for "An Irish Christmas." HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 23-Mar-01. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Jerry Friedman Date: 01 Dec 97 - 05:59 PM For another anti-commercial Christmas parody, Tom Lehrer's "Christmas Time" is in the DT--search for "hunks of holly". Tim is generally right about the Magi, but the modern Zoroastrians in Bombay are called Parsees. (Though of course it's the same word as "Farsi", and means Persian.) And they don't worship fire any more than Christians worship crosses, but they regard fire as a holy symbol of the good god Ahura-Mazda, a.k.a Ormuzd and probably other names. Zoroaster or Zarathustra was the ancient Persian prophet who founded the religion. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 01 Dec 97 - 08:16 PM The Stan Rogers who wrote Christmas in Killarney must surely be another Stan Rogers than the one known to Canadians. I didn't know there were two, and if the Canadian one ever sang it I've never heard that version. I thought it was Tin Pan Alley, not Irish, not that it isn't a fun little song. As to the Magi, I do know that they stuffed one Roman emperor but I can't remember which one. No doubt he had it coming. And yes, you are right. Farsi is the language of Persia, isn't it? The parade went well. All bands showed up, and other than the fact that my marshal's suit ran red dye all over the white cotton sweater my Mom gave me last Christmas it was a good day. I did have a slight quarrel with the clowns, who are not to be trusted or reasoned with, but I have them on my list of things to be whipped into shape next year. It was nice to see all the happy children. |
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Subject: RE: Christmas songs From: Nonie Rider Date: 02 Dec 97 - 04:38 PM Beware of the Holy Fools--if you attempt to whip them into shape, the Trickster'll getcha! (Oops--sorry, too much mythology reading...) |
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