Christmas song... where's yours?

Subject: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 06:49 AM

If you have performed/recorded a song for Christmas whether a carol, a folk song or any other with a Christmas theme... how about posting a link on here.... this is my offering for this year. O Holy Night    If you're not Christian you don't have to listen.... but maybe post one of your own non Christian ones :)

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: treewind
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 07:13 AM

All six tracks from a seasonal CD we sent out as a Christmas card in 2002:

WASSAIL!

Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Will Fly
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 07:17 AM

Not so much a Christmas song as a Winter song - written on a bleak winter's day while longing for some sun and summer...

An Old Man Dreaming

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Silas
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 07:19 AM

Ha! Gotch - here is mine then;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3amC70puOA&feature=colike

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 08:04 AM

Link to Silas' song

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Acorn4
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 08:29 AM

Come Back Ebenezer

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Acorn4
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 08:31 AM

...oh, for the last post, ignore the "voting" biT, the competition was last year.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: RTim
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 10:15 AM

I have been wanting to learn the attached song for over 30 years - and finally have got round to it at last!!
The Adderbury Wassail - as it says, collected by Janet Blunt from William Walton of Adderbury and then added to by The Albion Band.
Like Walton, I have been in the past Squire of The Adderbury Morris Men.

http://soundcloud.com/tim-radford/adderbury-wassail

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 10:51 AM

This song was my contribution to the Until the Dark Time Ends Mudcat CD
God Rest Ye

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 11:16 AM

Will do, but still working on mine. Will post up once it's together.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 12:46 PM

My own carol "Christmas Sung Simply"

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 01:12 PM

Very pleasing voice you have, Tim R

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 05:06 PM

Here is my crab fishing on Christmas Eve..true story..often delayed starting date due to negotiations..boats are very close into shore...one got grounded a few years ago.

Good news good news good news he said they've settled on a price
But to have him home on Christmas eve it would have been so nice
A storm is brewing on the coast a warning dark and dim
And he the man I love the most thinks it does not mean for him

I hold a candle all aglow it flickers in my hand
The wind will blow it out I know I stick it in the sand
Waves blow over waves blow under waves can flip the boat
I know he's good and still I wonder how he stays afloat

I stand alone on Klipsan Beach the boats are in a line
They seem so close within my reach I think I counted nine
Nine went to the crabbing site to bounce upon the foam
Nine went out this stormy night nine better make it home

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Allan C.
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 05:09 PM

I have one but lack the skills to put it where it could be heard. Any hints?

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 05:34 PM

Mineses are not yet recorded but I have at least two--

Here is the source from which I learned the one that's for Advent:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSGGMfB9Hqc

~S~

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Bert
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 06:00 PM

This is the nearest I've got to a Christmas song. Look for Stars and Snowflakes here.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 06:25 PM

I am not Christian, but I can't imagine not being impressed and appreciative of the mood and pure musical joy inherent in many Christmas songs.... and "Oh, Holy Night" is one of my favorites to play on an alto recorder.

I attended a concert one where the group noted before one song...

You don't have to believe everything you sing!

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 07:43 PM

Allan C

Try Reverbnation - I found it quite straightforward. Whatever you do, don't use Myspace though. :)

Subject: RE: Christmas song: where's yours?
From: Genie
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 08:34 PM

This song, which popped into my head a couple decades ago, is now a track from the new Mudcat CD "This Is Us: Until The Dark Time Ends" -
but something happened to the audio file I submitted, distorting the sound of the song on the CD itself.

If you would like to hear the original audio track, with the dimenuendi and crescendi in the right places, you can find links to download the AIFF (original) and mp3 (smaller) files here:

"Raise Your Voices In The Song (Of Peace On Earth"





(You can also find a video of my sister Tammy and me singing the song back in 2009 if you search for the title on YouTube, but it's a rather impromptu home video recording from my MacBook, and the sound quality of the audio track on the "Until The Dark Time Ends" is much better.)

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: banjoman
Date: 04 Dec 11 - 07:50 AM

Learnt a song years ago called "Centre of the ages" which we try an perform each year in church.

At the centre of the ages the Lord talks with a girl
And by the words he speaks He gives to her a Saviour to the world
The time draws to its fullness and Mary's son is born
The promises fulfillment lies asleep now in her arms


He didn't come to terrify to judge or condescend
To make us all his servants but to treat us as his friend
To save us all from Satan' power to reign at his right hand
In the little town of Bethlehem when God became a man

The day the God of majesty was given to the earth
A gift of such magnificence you could never plumb its worth
And the rudeness of the setting just ignites the jewels fire
A pearl beyond the greatest price
The joy of man's desire

He didn't come to terrify to judge or condescend
To call us all his servants but to lift us as his friend
To save us all from certain death to reign at his right hand
When once for all eternity God became a man.
Repeat

Author unknown but this has a great accompaniement using lots of minor chords.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Dec 11 - 08:02 AM

(posted this once already but it seems to have vanished)
Here are the Penkhull Mystery Singers practising You Shepherds Arise. We are a very rough pub singing group but we have a few practises in a very posh room at the beginning of the season. We go out today for the first time, so if you should be at the Etruria Indiustrial Museum in Stoke-on-Trent this afternoon you might catch us.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: GUEST,Bruce Baillie
Date: 04 Dec 11 - 09:42 AM

Here's my effort, I wrote this 6 years ago. Tried to do a 'blue clicky' but couldn't for some reason? the YOUTUBE url is at the bottom of the page for anyone who wants to listen.

CHRISTMAS HALL
(Bruce Baillie)

Down the frosty rutted cartway, where the Holly bush appears,
decked around in winter splendour, as it's always been for years.
Round the corner blows the North wind, and the snow begins fall,
Robin fluffs his feathers and he, points the way to Christmas Hall.

Fiery light gleams from the windows, as the snow begins to pour,
sound of crackling Yule log greets us as we pass the Ivied door.
Along with cheery red, green Holly, Mistletoe bedecks the wall,
and these words adorn the mantel, "Welcome now to Christmas Hall".

Here we'll sing the good old chorus, have good cheer and presents bring,
here we'll feast and all be merry, Rounds and Carols we will sing.
Meat and drink there'll be in plenty, quite enough to feed us all,
young and old will banish sorrow, that's the way at Christmas Hall.

This old hall's stood here a long time, strong and proud its walls they stand,
haven for the weary spirit, guiding light throughout the land.
Shelter from the biting East wind, beacon when the light is small,
every year at the mid-winter we come in to Christmas Hall.

Here we'll join the New Years riot, revel, drink and dance and sing,
we'll throw the old house out the windows, as we let the New Year in.
after many a healthy toast then tired out to our beds we'll crawl,
and no doubt there'll be tomorrow, aching heads at Christmas Hall.

When the feasting time is over, when the wind has ceased to blow,
with the mild wind we'll be leaving, through the wet and melting snow.
After Winter comes the Springtime, after Summer comes the Fall,
we'll say farewell till next December, brings us back to Christmas Hall.

   http://youtu.be/xGdBFIqAL6A

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: GUEST,Yvonne
Date: 04 Dec 11 - 09:53 AM

RTim...that is a Christmas cracker of a song...lovely voice too :o)

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 06 Dec 11 - 10:03 PM

Great thread! Here's my contribution. Neither as well-known nor as obscure as some of the others, "Wonderful Story of Love" was written in 1892. The video is from a singing we did for a nursing home in Texas a couple of years back. (Chords and lyrics included, so you can play along with us and raise the tone and quality of the performance!)

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 06 Dec 11 - 10:55 PM

Here's a youtube link to one of my favorite holiday songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jufVt8VgNBU

It was based on a true incident. It was written by my life partner, Susan Urban. I have never been able to do a proper blicky when following the instructions here.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 07 Dec 11 - 03:53 AM

We're doing a whole bunch of things (as times allows) up on Soundcloud under the heading Winterflora 2011.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Dec 11 - 03:57 AM

This because I am homesick

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Fidjit
Date: 07 Dec 11 - 04:12 AM

I;m on the Christmas CD. You know the one we can;t get a copy of.

Here's a vid

Chas

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 07 Dec 11 - 04:15 AM

This isn't recorded, not even sung yet, Folk Club next Tuesday!

SILVER BELLS
Nigel Parsons Dec 2011

In his corner, by the fireplace,
Fred is nursing his beer
Feeling glad
for the warmth
and the light.
At the counter, youths are laughing
Freely sharing good cheer
While poor Fred
makes two pints
last all night.

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day

In the bar now, come some matrons,
It's the Watchtower brigade.
Singing car'ls
to the sound of
their tambourines.
Seek donations, from the patrons,
Sip a swift lemonade.
Then dispensing
God's blessings
and magazines.

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day

And they tell all, of the homeless,
And the suff'ring about.
And Fred gives them
the last of
his change.
As they exit, Fred then rises,
And he follows them out
Leaving after
one pint seems
so strange!

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day

Subject: RE: Christmas song - where's yours?
From: Genie
Date: 08 Dec 11 - 08:51 PM

Fidjit, sorry you can't get hold of the Mudcat "This Is Us: Until The Dark Time Ends" CD.

The lyrics to your song "Christmas Tree Lament" and all the other tracks on that CD are right HERE.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Bruce MacNeill
Date: 09 Dec 11 - 07:40 PM

I play "O Holy Night" because I don't have the range to sing it, much as I've tried;

http://www.youtube.com/profile#p/u/16/OfCxYSqOu24

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 09 Dec 11 - 10:37 PM

I'm in the process of uploading "Every Day Is Christmas" (a song I wrote) to amazon via createspace.com. It may not make it in time for Christmas, but I finally got the last track recorded and it's as done as it's going to be this year! When it gets there, it will be a single on the page with all our ShoreGrass Recordings on Amazon.

My other Christmas song is "December Waltz" which is on the mudcat Dark Time Ends CD as well as on our Going Home CD.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 10 Dec 11 - 10:02 AM

I would love to but it is only in mp3 form and I don`t know how to upload it.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Artful Codger
Date: 10 Dec 11 - 11:57 AM

John from Kemsing, perhaps you could put it up on SoundCloud, which is a YouTube-ish site for sound files.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 24 Dec 11 - 08:41 PM

OK, here's mine! :)
The Bee Carol

Words by Carol Ann Duffy, music by me.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Tootler
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 05:43 PM

Still Christmas Day so on time.

A fifteenth century carol which I rewrote in modern English and added a tune which I had written some years ago.

http://youtu.be/XhNEVqu0b10

I Sing of a Maiden

I [G] sing of a maiden that was matchless
King of all kings for her son she [D] chose
He [C] came so [G] softly where his mother [D] was
As the [C] dew in [G] April falls [D7] on the [G] grass

I sing of a maiden that was matchless
King of all kings for her son she chose
He came so softly to his mother's bower
As the dew in April falls on the flowers

He came so softly where his mother lay
As the dew in April falls on the Spray
Mother and maiden ne'er one but she
Well may such a lady God's mother be.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 06:28 PM

Here's mine:

A virgin most pure

My current 'album' in the 52 Folk Songs project - 52 Folk Songs: the white album - consists entirely of seasonal songs; so far they're all Advent or Christmas songs, but as we go on there will be some songs for the turn of the year and for Epiphany.

Subject: RE: Christmas song... where's yours?
From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s Band"
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 06:35 AM

Since I don`t do MYSPACE I only have the song mp3 form so cannot upload but the lyrics are as follows:-

"THE COWBOYS CHRISTMAS"

When it`s Christmas in the mountains,
And the skies are dark and grey.
The lonesome wolf is howling,
Because the night`s not far away.
There`s not much to lift the spirits
Of a rider on his own.
Or to bring him peace and comfort,
As the storm moves quickly in.

And when it`s Christmas in the valley,
How that Northern wind can blow.
Enough to chill him to the bone
Although it never snows.
Just a rock to give him shelter,
That don`t amount to much.
He`d rather have another coat,
Than the kindest Christmas wish.

And when it`s Christmes on the range.
And the long horn cattle stir.
There`s no time to think of Jesus,
Or carols round the fire.
The herd demands attention.
They sense trouble on the breeze.
And it don`t take much to spook them,
And bring on a stampede.

But when it`s Christmas in the bunkhouse,
With the horses bedded down.
The log stove`s burning brightly,
With the riders gathered round.
The cook knocks up a special,
While the boss hands round their pay.
They quietly reminisce the year.
That`s the cowboys Christmas day.