My favourite Christmas songs

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M WALKING BACKWARDS FOR CHRISTMAS
From: little john cameron
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 08:03 PM

I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas

I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
Across the Irish Sea,
I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
It's the only thing for me.

I've tried walking sideways,
And walking to the front,
But people just look at me,
And say it's a publicity stunt.

I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
To prove that I love you.

An immigrant lad, loved an Irish colleen
From Dublin Galway Bay.
He longed for her arms,
But she spurned his charms
And sailed o'er the foam away

She left the lad by himself, on his own
All alone, a-sorrowing
And sadly he dreamed, or at least that's the way it seemed, buddy,
That an angel quieted him...
. An angel quieted the same.

I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
Across the Irish Sea.
I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
It's the finest thing for me.

And so I've tried walking sideways,
And walking to the front.
But people just laughed, and said,
"It's a publicity stunt".

So I'm walking backwards for Christmas To prove that I love you.

Ah noo ah;m gettin in the spirit.ljc

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: 53
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 09:27 PM

alvin and the chipmunks with david seville, doing all 3 parts of the chipmunks. BOB

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 09:42 PM

My serious choice is Carol of the Bells. I can't think of a more lovely sound.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Allan C.
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 09:55 PM

You can hear me sing one of my personal favorites on Ron Olesko's radio show on the afternoon of the 23rd. See this thread.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: VoxFox
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 10:27 PM

I really like the song I had on a Sesame Street Christmas record (yeah, a record) when my boys were tots, entitled "Keep Christmas with You" or something like that. I've never heard anyone else ever do it which is a shame because it is really nice. Anyone heard it and if so would you have the lyrics? Greatly appreciate it. VF

Subject: ADDPOP: Keep Christmas With You
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 10:50 PM

How's this, VoxFox?
-Joe Offer-

---

"Keep Christmas With You All Through The Year"
(from Christmas Eve on Sesame Street)

When Christmas time is over and presents put away, don't be sad
There'll be so much to treasure about this Christmas day and the fun we've had
So may happy feelings to celebrate with you
And, oh, the good time hurry by so fast,
But even when it's over there's something you can do to make Christmas last:

Keep Christmas with you
All through the year,
When Christmas is over,
You can keep it near.

Think of this Christmas day
When Christmas is far away.

Keep Christmas with you
All through the year,
When Christmas is over,
Save some Christmas cheer.
These precious moments,
Hold them very dear
And keep Christmas with you
All through the year.

Christmas means the spirit of giving
Peace and joy to you,

The goodness of loving,
The gladness of living;
These are Christmas too.

So, keep Christmas with you
All through the year,
When Christmas is over,
Save some Christmas cheer.
These precious moments,
Hold them very dear
And keep Christmas with you
All through the year.


I found it here (click)
You might be able to hear it at Live 365 Muppets Radio

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: DonMeixner
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 11:00 PM

Oh Holy Night, with out question is my favorite Christmas hymn. Besides being the benchmark for singers to aim at it has some musical dynamics that are un equalled in any other Christmas song.

Ofcourse that an opinion and opinions are what makes for grand controversy!

Don

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: VoxFox
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 11:10 PM

Joe, you are a sweetheart!!! Thank you so much. I will have a go at the music site later on tonight. I just sang it through while reading the words and I fell in love with it all over again. You are the best. Merry Christmas!! VoxFox

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Firecat At College
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 07:42 AM

My favourite is Wham "Last Christmas", closely followed by Walking In The Air. Has anyone got the lyrics for them?

Subject: ADD: Walking In The Air
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 07:59 AM

Walking In The Air

We're walking in the air
We're floating in the moonlit sky
The people far below are sleeping as we fly
I'm holding very tight
I'm riding in the midnight blue
I'm finding I can fly so high above with you


Far across the world
The villages go by like dreams
The rivers and the hills, the forests and the streams

Children gaze open mouthed
Taken by surprise
Nobody down below believes their eyes

We're surfing in the air
We're swimming in the frozen sky
We're drifting over icy mountains floating by

Suddenly swooping low
On an ocean deep
Rousing up a mighty monster from his sleep

And walking in the air
We're dancing in the midnight sky
And everyone who sees us greets us as we fly

We're walking in the air
We're walking in the air


Wham - Last Christmas

"Last Christmas"

[CHORUS:]
Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year
To save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special

[CHORUS:]

Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance
But you still catch my eye
Tell me baby
Do you recognize me?
Well
It's been a year
It doesn't surprise me
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying "I love you"
I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
But if you kissed me now
I know you'd fool me again

[CHORUS]

A crowded room
Friends with tired eyes
I'm hiding from you
And your soul of ice
My god I thought you were
Someone to rely on
Me?
I guess I was a shoulder to cry on

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man under cover but you tore me apart
Now I've found a real love you'll never fool me again

[CHORUS x2]

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man under cover buy you tore him apart
Maybe next year I'll give it to someone
I'll give it to someone special.


Hope this doesn't come out in one big block. Sorry, Joe, if it has.

Jethro Tull's Solstice Bells does it for me

Line Breaks <br> added.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: YOU'RE A MEAN ONE MR GRINCH
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 09:13 AM

Ooooh, that's a tough one. When I was small my mother had a beautiful instrumental record of "The Coventry Carol" played on recorders that I loved; I have no clue who
the artist was! Then there's several versions of "The Holly and the Ivy", the "Good King Wenceslas" on David Grisman's "Acoustic Christmas", and "The Sussex Carol" (a strong contender for #1).

Then again, there's always this beloved classic:

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
You really are a heel.
You're as cuddly as a cactus,
You're as charming as an eel.
Mr. Grinch.

You're a bad banana
With a greasy black peel.

You're a monster, Mr. Grinch.
Your heart's an empty hole.
Your brain is full of spiders,
You've got garlic in your soul.
Mr. Grinch.

I wouldn't touch you, with a
thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole.

You're a vile one, Mr. Grinch.
You have termites in your smile.
You have all the tender sweetness
Of a seasick crocodile.
Mr. Grinch.

Given the choice between the two of you
I'd take the seasick crocodile.

You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch.
You're a nasty, wasty skunk.
Your heart is full of unwashed socks
Your soul is full of gunk.
Mr. Grinch.

The three words that best describe you,
are, and I quote: "Stink. Stank. Stunk."

You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch.
You're the king of sinful sots.
Your heart's a dead tomato splot
With moldy purple spots,
Mr. Grinch.

Your soul is an appalling dump heap overflowing
with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable
rubbish imaginable,
Mangled up in tangled up knots.

You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch.
With a nauseous super-naus.
You're a crooked jerky jockey
And you drive a crooked horse.
Mr. Grinch.

You're a three decker sauerkraut and toadstool
sandwich
With arsenic sauce.

Cheers!
D.

Line Breaks <br> added.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: A CRADLE IN BETHLEHEM
From: GUEST,Gusty
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 09:36 AM

A Cradle in Bethlehem
(As sung by Nat King Cole. Don't know who wrote it, but it's a nice song.)
Sing sweet and low, your lullabye
While angels say amen.
A mother tonight is rocking,
A cradle in Bethlehem.

While wisemen follow through the dark
A star that beckons them,
A mother tonight is rocking,
A cradle in Bethlehem.

A little child shall lead them
The prophets said, of old.
Through storm and tempest, keep them
Until the bell is tolled.

Sing sweet and low, your lullabye
While angels say amen.
A mother tonight is rocking,
A cradle in Bethlehem.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Morticia
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 09:51 AM

The Corpus Christi Carol.....words in the DT

Subject: Lyr Add: CORN, WATER, AND WOOD
From: GUEST,vrdpkr
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 12:05 PM

Lots of favorites. I start singing this one around Thanksgiving. The song is from New Mexico and can be heard on Michael Martin Murphy's Cowboy Christmas


CORN, WATER, AND WOOD
Wendy Waldman, Carol Elliot

  
G  
I was in the arroyo, gathering strays  
                  C           
You know cowboys and cattle don't get holidays  
   G                  
I would have been finished, 'cept for one little guy  
                 D       
Who kept leading me farther away.  
  
              G             
He went up on the mesa, across the ravine  
               C       
Past the Indian ruins and a muddy red stream  
        G              
So I stopped for a spell, 'cause I was bone tired  
                                         D  
And I guess I started to dream  
  
          Em         
I saw three painted ponies, three dark-skinned men  
         C                                                                 D  
With masks made of clay, and voices like the wind  
                 G                          
Singing, "We seek the soul of all that is good  
      D        
We come bearing corn, water, and wood  
G                                           C  
Stop and behold all that is good  
         D                                                  G  
Give thanks for the corn, water, and wood."  
  
Em                    
Now I'm an old trailhound, I've always believed  
Your boots and your saddle is all that you leave  
No miracles happen, no angels appear  
But I know what I saw, standing there  
G  
I shook myself over, had I been asleep?  
That's just three Pueblo children, tending their sheep  
And they yelled, "Merry Christmas!" as they brought me my stray  
And their voices rang through the mesquite  
  
Singing, "We seek the soul of all that is good  
We come bearing corn, water and wood.  
Come and behold all that is good.  
Give thanks for the corn, water, and wood."

Line Breaks <br> added.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: BRIGHTEST AND BEST OF THE SUNS OF THE ...
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 10:20 PM

Brightest and best of the suns of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
Star in the east, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining,
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore Him, in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch, and Savior of all!

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure;
Richer by far is the heart's adoration-
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.


Jean Ritchie (Granny Catty's melody goes to this, she sang it always on her Christmas Eve, January 5th, at the fireside in our house. One verse is left out here- and the first verse given above is actually the chorus).

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Alio
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 05:43 AM

Both Wham's song and 'Walking in the Air' are on a Christmas CD I bought last year (it's called something like "The Best Christmas CD Ever") My favourite is 'In The Bleak Midwinter' - on the CD it's sung by Bert Jansch, and arranged by Ralph McTell. Beautiful! I can't find it in the database though.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 12:07 PM

Two Christmas songs I enjoy that are not sung all that much are: "Make My Present Small" and "Twas On a Night Like This". Both have been recorded by Cathy and Dave Para. They have a great Christmas recording on the Folk Legacy Label which also features the Patons. From the more usual Christmas songs O Come Emanuel, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and a second to In the Bleak Mid-Winter with Bring A Torch Jeanette, Isabella and Good King Wenceslas running close behind. Also the Friendly Beasts.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 08:30 PM

Sorry- not just one verse omitted in, Brightest and Best; also the first verse, "Hail the blest morn..." Jean

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 09:00 PM

I've always liked "Little Drummer Boy". I especially liked the Bing Crosby, David Bowie version. I have never been able to find it on CD though.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: marty D
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 11:43 PM

The Virgin Mary Had a little baby, as sung by Pete Seeger on his Christmas album. I grew up on that record. It was played every year til it wore out.

marty

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 11:52 PM

You're a Mean One - Mr. Grinch

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 20 Dec 01 - 01:39 AM

"Brightest and Best," as performed on Jean's "Kentucky Christmas" album.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: TeriLu
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 12:41 AM

I Wonder As I Wander A La Nanita Il Est N'est le Divin Enfant

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 12:53 AM

Having already had my favorite mentioned, I'll simply say there are a few nice ones done here.

Spaw

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,The Burren Ranger
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 01:10 PM

'A Silent Night (Christmas 1915) sung by Jerry Lynch from his album 'The Dimming of the Day. Peace, Light and Happiness to all this Christmas, TBR

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 01:14 PM

I'll play Spaw since someone stole his cookie -

"It's Over" by Roy Orbison. *BG*

Steve

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: SharonA
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 05:00 PM

"The Christmas Song" ("Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."), though there's a special place in my heart for Lou and Peter Berryman's "Big Dead Bird" ("...gonna have a big dead bird for dinner on Christmas day") and The Arrogant Worms's "Oh God, I'm Santa Claus."

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 05:32 PM

For purity and reverence of sound, I second 'Oh, Holy Night'. About my least favorite is the Hallelujah Chorus. Syllables without emotion just don't do it for me. (Although I like opera; especially in a foreign language. Go figure.)

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: mzkitty
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 08:37 PM

My favorite Christmas song has to be The Little Drummer Boy. I can relate to it so well. Music is all I've ever had to give...just like that boy. I love to sing it and always get tears in my eyes from the lines

"Baby Jesu, I am a poor boy too.. I have no gift to bring That's fit to give a king... Shall I play for you on my drum?... ..I played my best for Him.. ...then He smiled at me.." Yup..that's my favorite.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Bluegrass Girl
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 11:29 PM

My favorite: "Another Silent Night" by Patrick Ashley. True story -- written for his buddy whose wife died of breast cancer, leaving two small boys.

Words tear your heart out! Available on Pat's CD of the same name; I'm pretty sure Smokey Greene has it on a tape, too.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: CapriUni
Date: 22 Dec 01 - 12:22 PM

Luckily, we have it in the digitrad The Holly and the Ivy Singing it just makes me happy! What more could you ask?

As I, personally, put more emphasis on the solstice than on Christ's birth at this time of year, I wrote some of my own lyrics for the some of the verses (chorus stays the same):

Oh the Holly tree bears a blossom
As white as any milk
And the first light of this Yule dawn
Is shimmering like the silk

Oh the Holly tree bears a berry
As green as any grass
And the growing light of these days
Reminds us that winter will pass

Oh the Holly tree bears a berry
As red as any blood
And as the year turns we all do vow
To use our lives for the good

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Mudlark
Date: 22 Dec 01 - 03:12 PM

Carol of the Bells, Bring a Torch, O Holy Night....tho I no longer sing them they were always my favs. On a more secular note, the original version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas has always torn my heart out ("Someday we all will be together, if the fates allow...and if not we'll have to muddle thru somehow...")

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 23 Dec 01 - 12:39 PM

O Holy Night, is my favorite to sing. Done well, it can bring tears to my eyes everytime I hear it. Merry Christmas everyone!

LL

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 01 - 10:07 PM

Nearly impossible to pick just one. The prime candidates at the moment, though, are (list subject to change without notice; offer void where prohibited by law):

O Holy Night
Christmas in the Trenches (John McCutcheon)
A Fairytale of New York (Pogues w/ Kirsty MacColl)
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Once In Royal David's City
O Come Emmanuel
Nothing But A Child (Steve Earle/Maria McKee)
Christmas Must Be Tonight (The Band)
Sound Over All Waters (Paul Winter Consort/Susan Osborn)
Much of "A Muppet Christmas Carol"
I Wonder As I Wander
In the Bleak Midwinter
Christmas For Cowboys (John Denver; don't know who wrote it)
The First Noel
Winter Wonderland
Let It Snow

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: SDShad
Date: 23 Dec 01 - 10:08 PM

WHOOOPS!

That last post was me, sans cookie, on a brand-spankin'-new 'puter.

Shad

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Dec 01 - 10:15 PM

Well I love your list there Shadrack and I'm GLAD to see you!! Merry Christmas ans WITH a NEW PUTER!!!! oooo-boy

Spaw

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: SDShad
Date: 23 Dec 01 - 11:31 PM

Right back atcha, Pat! Right now I'm listening to the Kinks' "Father Christmas" on my Christmas mix--kinda fun. Can't fill up the new box with MP3s, though. Beth has all these so-called "graphics" and "animation" projects that she claims take up lots of room. :-) They're already starting a pool at her workplace for how long it'll take her to fill up 80GB....

As my foster daughter has been known to say to me at Christmas, "Feliz Nerdy Dad,"

Chris

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: allie kiwi
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 12:26 AM

"Ooooh, that's a tough one. When I was small my mother had a beautiful instrumental record of "The Coventry Carol" played on recorders that I loved; I have no clue who the artist was! Guest Desdemona"

I have an old recording of the Trapp Family singers playing that...

Allie

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Haruo
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 03:51 AM

Shad: Numerous sources say "Christmas for Cowboys" is by Steve Weisberg, and several indicate it is © 1975 by him.
Liland

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: SDShad
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 03:49 PM

Thanks, Liland. I have sheet music to it somewhere, and now you mention it, I remember that name being on it, but it was nowhere near me when I posted that list....

Chris

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 04:20 PM

John Lennon's So this is Christmas and Chrissie Hynde's 2000 Miles are nice "new" Christmas tunes. Of the classics, I like Mel Torme doing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Jerry Vale's Little Altar Boy. Favorite carols would be God Rest Ye and Deck the Halls, because of their medieval tone.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Ewen Tubridy
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 05:48 PM

I am looking for the sheet music of "Silent Night (Christmas 1915) sung by Jerry Lynch released 29th Nov., 2004.
Can you help.
Regards,
Ewen Tubridy

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 06:20 PM

Ewen

Info on the song in this thread.


LEJ

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 07:32 PM

"Red and Green Christmas", by Nadia Cattouse ( a white Xmas doesn't apply for so many of us)

Subject: Lyr Add: QUEM PASTORES
From: Padre
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 12:44 AM

'QUEM PASTORES' from a ms. of Hoenfurth, Germany c. 1410

He whom joyous shepherds praised,
Whenthe angel's song was raised,
Bidding them be not amazed,
Heaven's all-glorious King is born.

He whom sages westward faring,
Myrrh and gold and incense bearing,
Worshipped, bowing low before him,
Reigns as King this happy morn.

Now rejoice with Jesus' mother,
Praise her new-born son, our brother,
Angels vie with one another,
Praising him beyond the sky.

Sing to Christ, the King who reigneth,
Yet of Mary manhood gaineth,
Born our God; let us adore him:
Glory be to God on high.

Padre

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Scrump
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 05:33 AM

If I had to choose just one, it would definitely be Fairytale of New York. I feel I ought to choose the Christy Moore version because it's more folky; but when it comes down to it I don't think the Pogues' version with Kirsty MacColl can be beaten - so that's the one for me.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: clueless don
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 08:52 AM

Hard to say - I think it depends on the mood I'm in. Joe Offer already mentioned "Carol of the Bells", which is certainly a favorite. I'm also quite fond of "He is Born, Holy Child Divine".

For "secular seasonal songs", I have always thought that "Winter Wonderland" holds up well on repeated listening (but without that abominable added verse about pretending that the snowman is a circus clown, which the older kids then knock down - awful!)

Don

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Scrump
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 09:11 AM

The worst Christmas songs tend to be those issued by pop or rock stars cashing in on the festive season - the logic seems to be 'any old crap will do, the fans will buy it in droves anyway'.

Sadly, many of these songs tend to reappear year after year on these awful compilation CDs that get advertised on TV. Who buys them every year? Do these people forget they already have all these songs on last year's CD?

Some of the worst IMO:

Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime
Elton John - Step Into Christmas
Denis Waterman & George Cole - What Are We Gonna Get For 'Er Indoors
etc., etc.

Does anyone else have any most hated Christmas songs?

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 09:43 AM

For best I'm leaning towards the Secret of Christmas (or Spirit of Christmas some call it).

For most hated: Merry Christmas Darling, followed closely by Santa Baby.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: ranger1
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 10:02 AM

Hmm, tough one. I think Christ Child's Lullaby is my favorite. I've got two versions on CD, one in English by Kathy Mattea and one in Gaelic on a Green Linnet Christmas compilation. I also like Father Christmas by The Kinks and Christmas at Ground Zero by Weird Al, when I'm in the mood for something less than serious.

As for most hated: pick any of the modern crap being played in most malls. Santa Baby, Mery Christmas Baby, etc.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 10:41 AM

The King
Cherry Tree Carol (the version we sing)
Holly and the Ivy (same here)
Almost anything sung by Nowell Sing We Clear

I'm also very fond of the melody for "Once In Royal David's City" but I don't find the words particularly exciting.

I also love the harmonies in "Silent Night" and someone back in the '60s did a great jazz version (on bass flute -- very low register) of "We Three Kings of Orient Are".

I always HAVE to sing the Walt Kelly's version of "Deck the Halls", at some point, too.

And --

"Joy to the world
Cuz cats are here.
They fill our hearts with joy.
Let every one
Prepare them food.
And let them eat their fill,
And let them eat their fill,
And let, and let, them eat their fill."

Linn

Linn

Subject: Lyr Add: THE CHIMNEY SONG (Bob Rivers)
From: Becca72
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 10:54 AM

Serious Christmas song would be "I believe in Father Christmas" by Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

For a novelty song I like The Chimney Song:

THE CHIMNEY SONG
Bob Rivers Comedy Corp.


There's something stuck up in the chimney
And I don't know what it is,
But it's been there all night long.
Well, I waited up for Santa all Christmas night
But he never came and it don't seem right.
And there's something in the chimney
And it doesn't make a sound,
But I wish you Merry Christmas.

There's something stuck up in the chimney
And I don't know what it is,
But it's been there all week long.
Well, the dog keeps barking up the chimney flue
And we don't know what we're going to do.
Cause there's something in the chimney
And it doesn't move around,
And it's been a week since Christmas.

There's something stuck up in the chimney
And I don't know what it is,
But it's been there all month long.
Well, it's jammed up tight above the fireplace
Now the house smells funny, such a big disgrace.
That there's something in the chimney
And it doesn't talk at all,
And it's been there since last Christmas.

There's something stuck up in the chimney
And I don't know what it is,
But it's been there all year long.
I'll been waiting up for Santa like I did last year
But my brother says, "He's already here."
And he's stuck up in the chimney
And he doesn't say a word
And he'll be there every Christmas.
And we'll have him every Christmas.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHITE SHEEPDOG
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 12:05 PM

WHITE SHEEPDOG

I'm screaming at a white sheepdog,
One who is sitting in my chair.
It's a thing I'm dreading,
The way he's shedding,
And covering everything with hair.

I'm screaming at a white sheepdog,
And should he visit you some night,
May his bark be worse than his blight,
And may all your furniture be white.

*If anyone knows who wrote this, please let me know. I heard it at an open stage about 15 years ago. I can't even remember the name of the guy who sang it.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Scoville
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 12:45 PM

The Friendly Beasts & Silent Night



but I've always hated Frosty the Snowman and Walking in a Winter Wonderland.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 05:23 PM

Joe, what's the deal with the Religion site you linked to. I didn't see any link for COTB, ran a search in their window and got a lot of vendors. Am I missing something?

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 06:10 PM

I like "And Unto Us A Child Is Born" (from Handel's "Messiah") that I wanted to use it as a recessional at my wedding, but my mother said "NO!" and my wife said "HELL NO!"

But it's still a really good piece of music.

"Silent Night," in either English or German, is my favorite song.

I heartily dislike anything promoting the commercialism of the season.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Cluin
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 07:12 PM

Mark and Harold are not gay,
They're just friends, their mothers say

Subject: Lyr Add: THIS CHRISTMAS (Donnie Hathaway)
From: GUEST,Brandy
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 04:22 PM

THIS CHRISTMAS by Donnie Hathaway

Hang on the mistle-toe
I'm gonna get to know you better

This Christmas!

and as we trim the tree
how much fun it's gonna be Together

This Christmas!

Firsides blazing bright
we're carroling thru the niiiight

And this christmas will be
a very special christmas for me
Yeah!

Presents and cards are here
my world is filled with cheer and you

This Christmas!

and as I look around
your eyes outshine the town
They do

This Christmas!

firesides blazing bright
we're carroling thru the niiiight

And this christmas will be
a very special christmas for me
Yeah!

Shake a Hand, Shake a Hand

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 04:49 PM

I Believe In Father Christmas - Greg Lake
Christmas Eve 1914 - Mike harding
The Boars Head Carol - Steeleye Span
In The Bleak Midwinter - Bert Jansch

Worst?
Last Christmas - Wham

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's Apprentice
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 05:10 PM

Christmas Must Be Tonight (Robbie Robertson) - The Band

What Child Is This? (Christina Rossetti) - The Moody Blues

On Christmas Night All Christians Sing
(collected by R. Vaughan Williams) - The Albion Band

Innocent's Song (Charles Causley/Phil Beer) - Show of Hands

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 05:47 PM

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Jim - PM
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 12:05 PM

WHITE SHEEPDOG

I'm screaming at a white sheepdog,
One who is sitting in my chair.
It's a thing I'm dreading,
The way he's shedding,
And covering everything with hair.

I'm screaming at a white sheepdog,
And should he visit you some night,
May his bark be worse than his blight,
And may all your furniture be white.

*If anyone knows who wrote this, plaease let me know. I heard it at an open stage about 15 years ago. I can't even remember the name of the guy who sang it.

It's from an issue of "Mad Magazine", somewhere around 1965.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: topical tom
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 07:02 PM

The most moving of Christmas songs to me is "Mary's Boy Child" especially as sung by Harry Belafonte:http://www.metrolyrics.com/marys-boy-child-lyrics-christm

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Neil D
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 08:12 PM

"I Saw Three Ships" There is an excellent version on The Chieftains album "The Bells of Dublin" with Marianne Faithful singing the lead. The whole album is my favorite Christmas album.
    For more modern songs I also like the ELP song "I Believe in Father Christmas and Lennon's "So This is Christmas" previously mentioned in this thread.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 08:17 PM

Split between "O Holy night" mentioned well above, and "Three Kings from Persian lands Afar": the latter nearly always got done at the final assembly/carol service at the end of term at school before Christmas.
When I'm doing the Christmas day cooking I always put on the Praetorius Christmas Mass, but also hoping to get the Czech Christmas Mass in my stocking this year!

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 08:59 PM

So many good things, how to pick favorites?!

Two I cannot live without: Veni Veni Emmanuel, and Adeste Fidelis: in Latin, of course. English is OK, lovely tunes to be sure, but the Latin is just right, and reminds me of a friend no longer here to sing them with me.

Dani

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: mg
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 10:38 PM

I like Christmas Rose and Jesus Bambino..mg

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: mouldy
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 04:33 AM

I also like "The Christmas Song", especially as sung by Nat King Cole.

Carol-wise I do like "It came upon the midnight clear", as the words are very pertinent for this day and age:

"...but man, at war with man, hears not
the love song which they bring.
Oh hush the noise, ye men of strife,
and hear the angels sing!"

At the other extreme, in 1964 (I think), Dora Bryan released a Christmas single called, "All I want for Christmas is a Beatle" with the B side of "If I were a fairy on a Christmas tree". I can remember bits of them:

All I want for Christmas is a Beatle
not a teddy bear, just a Beatle.
I told mum that nothing else would do:
there are four, so she can have one too.
I don't care whichever one she gets me -
Ringo, Paul, John, George - they're all the same.
I can't wait for Christmas day to come,
'cos all I want for Christmas is a Beatle!

and

If I were a fairy on a Christmas tree,
oh how happy and gay I'd be.
I'd weave my magical dreams of joy
for every little girl and every little boy.

I bought it - Cheesy, I know, but I was only just approaching 13!

Andrea

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Eye Lander
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 04:42 AM

I'm with Geordie, not sure of the Boars Head carol though, I only know the Boars Head as the local in Andy's village! I'd put Mike Harding's song first. My children used to sing a song when they were in primary school called 'Wind through the Olive trees' really liked that. And I'd add The Holly and the Ivy.

Ooh Ooh Ooh and In the Bleak Mid Winter Spect I'll think of something else later.

Jillie

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 08:05 AM

I have a soft spot for Harry Belafonte's version of "Mary's Boy Child". I can still hear my dad (in 1958?)saying, "That's proper singing! You can hear every word".

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Lulu Belle
Date: 01 Dec 07 - 06:52 PM

"I'm Screaming at a White Sheep Dog" is from Mad Magazine, circa late sixties or early seventies.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Surreysinger
Date: 01 Dec 07 - 08:00 PM

"This is the Truth sent from above" - sang it for many years at school and adored it; didn't hear it again for many more years, and then bought the OUP Book of Carols, and found it in there... and only then realised that it was a true traditional carol collected in Herefordshire by Ralph Vaughan Williams... and I've started singing it in the club - gave it it's first airing yesterday... and may sing it in another club again next week if I get the chance!

Other than that "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree" - a superb modern one.. think it's Elizabeth Posten??

Oh and Peter Cornelius' "Three Kings"... which I think someone else mentioned earlier; I used to sing special choir at school, and we got to sing the interesting accompaniment to it every year... it still feels special.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: oldhippie
Date: 01 Dec 07 - 09:19 PM

Mrs. Fogarty's Christmas Cake
and
Let's Put the X Back in Christmas (Country Dick Montana & Candye Kane)

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,frogette
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 05:35 AM

Dont any of you go wassailling. We go round the pubs in Hertfordshire every December and collect £1,200 - £1,400 for charity and have a brilliant time doing it.

Have a look at http://www.beerfordbury.co.uk/BBTWTA/index.htm its got all sorts of information including the words to some of the wassails we do and the Boars Head Carol

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: skarpi
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 06:09 AM

Jólahjól its mine favourite.

All the best skarpi

Subject: Lyr Add: I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY
From: erosconpollo
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 08:10 AM

I'm quite fond of I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY. Words by Longfellow and lovely singable melody by Calkin:

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men."

It's not just a 'Christmas song' but also a bit of a prayer for peace, written by Longfellow during the War Between the States.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Ref
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 09:37 AM

Eros:

John Gorka does a lovely version of that one! And thanks for the history!

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: coldjam
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 05:30 PM

"Oh Holy Night" is my all time favorite, although Christmas in the trenches gets me weeping every blasted time. My favorite this year is a new one we're doing by Johnathn Coulton called "Chiron Beta Prime." Starts out:

"This year has been a little crazy for the Andersons.
You may recall we had some trouble last year.
The robot council had us banished to an asteroid.
That hasn't undermined our holiday cheer.
And we know it's almost Christmas from the marks we make on the wall. And that's our favorite time of year.

Chorus: Merry Christmas, from Chiron Beta Prime-where we're working in a mine for our robot overlords-did I say overlords-I meant protectors-Merry Christmas, from Chiron Beta Prime..."

Maybe you gotta be a sci-fi geek to appreciate it...

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: MikeRebec
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 12:18 PM

Christmas in Australia by Roaring Jelly and Jogging along on my reindeer by John Kirkpatrick are fum Christmas songs and the albums Christmas Album by Jethro Tull and In the Bleak Midwinter by Gordon Giltrap are certainly worth a listen.
Most hated? I agree with a previous contributor; anything that commercialises the season and, of course, THAT AWFUL record by Slade and the one by Roy Wood's Wizzard.

Subject: Wind through the olive trees
From: GUEST,Rita
Date: 12 Nov 08 - 12:48 PM

"Wind throught the olive trees"
Is there anybody who knows the text? I have got the notes but we want to sing the song with our pupils - they even suggested I should invent the lyrics - oh dear! Help!

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 12 Nov 08 - 04:21 PM

"O Holy Night" has long been a favorite. I prefer it with a full choir, a really powerful tenor or a rich brass ensemble, as an instrumental. "Mary's Boy Child" is another, probably because it reminds me of my early calypso days in the 1950's. There is an innocence about it and a pretty melody line.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Tim Chesterton
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 10:54 AM

I really like some of the old folk carols like 'The Holly and the Ivy', 'Coventry Carol', and 'The Truth Sent from Above'. I've recently taken the words of 'While Shepherds WAtched Their Flocks By Night' (I like the words but really don't like the usual tune) and reset them to the Irish tune 'The Homes of Donegal'. I'm recording a version of this to send out to the folks on my Christmas list this year.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 11:31 AM

Hopefully, GUESTRita found the words to "Winds through the olive trees" in 2008. There's a set in THIS THREAD

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 12:07 PM

The Holly and the Ivy

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GIFT (Stephanie Davis)
From: open mike
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 12:10 PM

Ever since I heard it, I have loved this song
THE GIFT by Stephanie Davis Recluse Music (BMI)
http://www.stephaniedavis.net/The%20Gift%20Tracks/The%20Gift%20tracks%2012/tg-v.mp3

A poor orphan girl named Maria was walking to market one day
She stopped for to rest by the roadside where a bird with a broken wing lay
A few moments passed 'till she saw it, for its feathers were covered with sand
But soon, clean and wrapped, it was traveling in the warmth of Maria's small hand

She happily spent her last peso on a cage made of rushes and twine
She fed it loose corn from the market and watched it grow stronger with time

Now the Christmas Eve service was coming, and the church shone with tinsel and light
And all of the townfolk brought presents to lay by the manger that night
There were diamonds and incense and perfumes in packages fit for a king
But for one ragged bird in a small cage, Maria had nothing to bring

She waited till just before midnight so no one would see her go in
And crying, she knelt by the manger, for her gift was unworthy of Him

Then a voice spoke to her through the darkness: "Maria, what brings you to me?"
"If the bird in the cage is your offering, open the door—let me see!"
Though she trembled, she did as He asked her, and out of the cage the bird flew
Soaring up into the rafters on a wing that had healed good as new

Just then the midnight bells rang out and the little bird started to sing
A song that no words could recapture, whose beauty was fit for a king

Now Maria felt blessed just to listen to that cascade of notes sweet and long
As her offering was lifted to heaven by the very first nightingale song

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 12:42 PM

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 12:43 PM

OOps sory about that little mistake:-

My favourite Christmas song (Folkie style that is)

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: ClaireBear
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 03:12 PM

My favorite one to sing has got to be "Shepherds Arise" (here sung by Poor Old Horse). My favorite one to hear would probably be somewhat less UK-centric that I could never hope to sing adequately myself, like this version of the African American spiritual Rise Up Shepherd and Follow by Cantus, or this truly rockin' verion of ""la cambo me fai mau"" from Provence (this version is sans Christmas content, though; failing Malicorne's version which I can't find online, here's a choral version with the Christmas content in: "La jambe me fait mal" sung by Chorale Jacou). I'm really fond of the Sicilian "Bagpiper's Carol" too, but have to get back to work now...

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: ClaireBear
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 03:23 PM

I just realized that what all those have in common is that they're all shepherds songs. I've always been a sucker for shepherds plays, too, so I guess that fits. Also: I love the Sacred Harp piece Sherburne, which is -- of course -- a setting of "While shepherds watched their flocks by night."

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 04:33 PM

i like to sing The Cherry Tree Carol.
i remind listeners that Mary would have been at most 13, and probably only 12 when she conceived.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 04:58 PM

As for my favourite verses in a carol, in "The Truth from Above" (E. trad) one stanza ends with "Woman was mad with man to dwell", and the next begins with "Thus we were heirs to endless woes"!

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Charlie
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 05:14 PM

Hey all, if you like the traditional classics, I'd love you to listen to the version of "O Holy Night" I just recorded. I'm offering it as a free download. Let me know what you think & Enjoy your holidays.
Twitter: @CharlieWMusic

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: ClaireBear
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 05:31 PM

Charlie Williams, your voice is beautiful. I would love to hear it in a starker arrangement, but that is my personal taste.

I've "liked" you on Facebook, so I hope I will be informed if you do any live performances. Best of luck.

Claire

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Tim Chesterton
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 07:30 PM

in "The Truth from Above" (E. trad) one stanza ends with "Woman was mad with man to dwell", and the next begins with "Thus we were heirs to endless woes"!

Actually that's only in the abridged version. Look up the full length version.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: mayomick
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 10:09 AM

My favourites are The Holly and the Ivy and the Cherry Tree Carol . I also like the wassail ones if they can be included here - particularly the Wassail All Over the Town
I always get a good laugh out of Adeste Fidelis as crooned by Bing Crosby and the strange lyrics of The First Noel - all part of the Christmas spirit.

The one I find most annoying is the one by either Dire Straights or Chris Rhea or some shitty cross between the two its called , Travelling Home for Christmas.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: open mike
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 01:52 PM

some of my favorite christmas songs are on an album by
Connie Kaldor & Bim, New Songs for an Old Celebration...including
We're Gonna Sing, which includes a
whole bunch of christmas carol names

and Cowboy Christmas which says
REMEMBER THAT THE ANGELS CHOSE TO SING FOR SHEPHERDS
AND SHEPHERDS WERE THE COWBOYS OF GALLILEE

there are several other wonderful song on this collection
including island santa,
if we ever make it thru december....
and others.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: open mike
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 02:21 PM

there is a cute christmas album with the muppets and john denver..
this had/has some wonderful songs on it...

wow there are many christmas songs listed here
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/HTML/index_of_carols_c.htm

here are a couple of you tube videos of the the cowboy christmas song
by steve weisberg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ckqxq8SBeI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HtIZ3MccEw

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 07:42 PM

Seen her birth certificate, Keith?

Outright speculation and guesswork should not be presented as proven fact.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: andrew e
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 09:03 PM

One of my favourites.

In Dulci Jubilo. R L Pearsall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLPycYDHGuY

I have a SATB arrangement[by moi] of O Holy Night if anyone would like it. Email me. [e-mail]
We're singing it in three choirs this Christmas.

Andrew :)

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 09:21 PM

May / Leger - XmasPhobia - 'I Hate Christmas'

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 09:22 PM

100

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: cptsnapper
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 03:03 AM

Santa Claus Blues as sung by Banu Gibson

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: open mike
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 04:12 AM

I have been searching for christmad carols
and cowboy christmas songs...and found this
http://www.carolingcorner.com/
I like Wylie Gustafson's version of this song
formerly done by John Denver-it was written by Steve Weisberg
(even though credit is often given only to John)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3YgqVeHRBE&NR=1

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 05:11 AM

Past Three O'clock, the old carol (George Ratcliff Woodward) is a good one. Anything with grinding poverty, bone chilling cold and the subversion of a rigid social order appeals. (Wenceslas et al)

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 05:12 AM

That was me'sen sans cookie.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: cptsnapper
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 08:53 AM

My favourite serious Christmas song is Gabriel's Message

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Tim Chesterton
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 04:55 AM

I've just recorded my Christmas song for 2010 - it's 'While Shepherd's Watched' sung to the tune of 'The Homes of Donegal'. You can hear it on Reverbnation here .

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Artful Codger
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 01:49 PM

My apologies, but it seems a bit gratuitous to set "While Shepherds" to such an overused and lackluster tune like "The Homes" (aka "Paddy West" aka "Trampers and Hawkers"...), particularly when there are already so many settings for this carol, many delightful and relatively obscure. Indeed, it is clearly the most often reset carol text; avoiding the familiar "Old Winchester" tune is as easy as fishing with dynamite. I listed over forty alternatives in a recently revived thread, and that only took a bit of Googling. There's nothing wrong with creating yet another setting, of course, but realize that the bar has already been set pretty high.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: JohnB
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 02:39 PM

Sorry Artful Codger, for me it works as good or better than "Crimond" or "Amazing Grace" and it his own well presented version of the words, how many of us can say that?
I would agree, it's not quite "Cranbrook" or "Pentonville" but what is.
JohnB.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Hilary
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 03:56 PM

"Christ Child's Lullaby" is my favorite too. I am rather fond of all of the old carols in the Christmas Revels Songbook. Although my second favorite is a German one, "Es ist ein Ros' Entsprungen." You probably know it as "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming." I'm still trying to memorize the German words.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Artful Codger
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 04:08 PM

"What is" would include at least ten other existing variants, and the number of tunes that would make a more satisfying alliance is legion. But back to favourite Christmas songs...

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Tim Chesterton
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 08:31 PM

I don't know where you live, AC. I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. No one I have played this song for so far has ever heard it sung to anything other than Old Winchester, and no one I've sung it for has ever heard 'the Homes of Donegal' before, either.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Ref
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 09:55 PM

Try iTunes. You can get it but you have to buy an album.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Bob Landry
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 01:43 AM

My favourite Christmas songs:
- The Rebel Jesus (Jackson Browne)
- The Innkeeper (Lennie Gallant)

Hi Tim Chesterton. We're practically neighbours. I'm in St-Albert.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Monique
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 05:39 AM

Does anybody know this one? Well, my actual question is "would anyone be interested in it?"

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Tim Chesterton
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 10:58 AM

Hi Bob Landry! Are you enjoying this brisk Alberta morning?

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Bob Landry
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 10:10 PM

Can't say I enjoyed the temperature today, Tim. Started this morning pushing snow around and spent the rest of the day helping my son and his family move to a new house. Best I can say is that I survived.

Subject: Lyr Add: CHRISTMAS TIME'S A-COMIN' (Tex Logan)
From: open mike
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 03:57 AM

CHRISTMAS TIME'S A-COMIN' by Tex Logan
Popularized by Bill Monroe

Holly's in the window home where the wind blows
Can't walk for running Christmas time is coming.

CHORUS: Can't you hear them bells ringin'
Bringin' joy to all Don't you hear them singin'
When it's snowing I'll be going back to my country home
Christmas times a' coming Christmas times a' coming
Christmas times a' coming and I know I'm going home.

Instrumental break

Home fires burning my heart's yearning
For the folks at home when Christmas time is coming
Snowflakes falling my old home is calling
Tall pines are humming Christmas time is coming

Holly's in the window home where the wind blows
Can't walk for running Christmas time is coming.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXfBYXElPII&feature=related

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: open mike
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 04:11 AM

robert-earl-keen's merry-christmas-from-the-family is here:

http://www.cmt.com/videos/robert-earl-keen/39118/merry-christmas-from-the-family.jhtml

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 06:34 AM

Has to be The Pogues & Kirsty McColl. Fairytale of New York.

Beautifully cynical!

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 07:45 PM

Just Listened to Charlie Williams' "O Holy Night" (which I'd posted as being one of my favourites in 2007!)
Great voice, but agree with ClaireBear: the backing is a wee bit heavy,in danger of over-powering even such a strong voice as yours, but good luck Charlie.

Subject: RE: My favourite Christmas song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 08:00 PM

Oops that was ambiguous: I meant that O Holy Night was one of my favourites: Charlie's version is new. My kids' High school choir did a pretty good version.
Not sure about Tim's setting of "While Shepherds Watched" especially after spending a whole workshop last summer on that one carol to many other lovely tunes. A friend of mine is the habit of writing songs, and then sayung "It would fit to Tramps and Hawkers", to which I say "leave T & H alone and write your own tune". Lots of songs fit to the same tune if they have the same number of syllables per line.