a different sort of seasonal sing

Subject: a different sort of seasonal sing
From: CupOfTea
Date: 01 Dec 14 - 06:13 PM

So, every year a batch of us get together and sing Christmas carols, songs & hymns. Been doin' it for years & Dale's got a big book with lots and lots of lyrics. folks pick one & we sing it. Some years we have a piano player, some years guitar or autoharp or something else. Much as I love this, there are a WHOLE batch of songs suitable for the end of the year that don't fit into the Christmassy ambience. I've got several dozen I can think of without resorting to research. Years of listening to Nowell Sing We Clear recordings and I've loved the seasonal presentation of Chicago area musicians first "The More the Merrier" and later the Bittersweet Christmas Band (see Phil Cooper for details). Opened my repertoire and taste considerably. When I get time later, I'll post a list of the sorts of songs I have in mind (with hopes to be introduced to some I don't know by folks who come)

This year I concocted: "Wassails & Whatnot"- a Community Open Sing of seasonal songs

I'm hosting it, Folknet is supporting it & my church is giving us the space in a hall we used to use for a song circle.

Malls and advertising are full of songs repeated so often that they loose their joy. Worship services provide a chance to sing traditional hymns. Yet, there are so many wonderful songs about this season of the year that aren't suitable for these situations.

You are invited to bring songs to share that invite participation: traditional wassail songs, snow shoveling shanties, winter comfort songs, and lots and lots of choruses! Acapella, Instruments or song sheets are welcome. Please join us to sing songs of:
- Tradition - Winter - Solstice - Hanukah -Christmas - The turning of the year

"Wassails & Whatnot"
Potluck Snacks - Bring your own refreshments. (we're Episcopalians, so no problem if you bring something er.. strong)
Saturday December 13         2:00-5:00 pm       Church of the Good Shepherd
23599 Cedar Road Lyndhurst Ohio (between Legacy Village and Green Road)

I'd love to have Mudcatters there, and I'd also love to hear from others who are doing unconventional sorts of singing parties this December.

Joanne In Cleveland Ohio

Subject: RE: a different sort of seasonal sing
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 01 Dec 14 - 11:13 PM

Thanks for the plug, Joanne. A great non usual song we're doing in this season's repertoire is Dave Cater's song American Noel.

Three wise men, ridin' hard through the cold,
Lost on some big city street, with no place warm to go,
They are lookin' for a manger, or a sign from the night,
But they're a long way from Bethlehem tonight.

But they heard about a savior, and a preacher in the park,
Who will camp with the homeless, where they shiver in the dark,
He'll deliver salvation, to the weary and the cold,
And he'll bring joy, joy, joy the wanderin' soul.

The cleaning lady sighs, as she closes up the gate,
This job don't quite pay the bills and she's always workin' late,
Then all of a sudden comes a light from above,
It's an angel speaking words of joy and love,

And he tells her of a savior, and a preacher in the park,
Who will camp with the homeless, under bridges in the dark,
He'll deliver salvation to the weary and the cold,
And he'll bring joy, joy, joy to the wanderin' soul.

Four in the mornin' at the trade winds motel,
The register reads all full up and the clerk thinks just as well,
But our in the tool shed by an old coleman lamp,
A little family makes it's meager camp.
And the wisemen bring presents, and the angels gather round,
The cleaning lady slips in to the door without a sound,
And an old black dog, looks on with the rest,
At the little child upon his mother's breast.

And there comes a savior, and a preacher in the park,
who will camp with the homeless, where they shiver in the dark,
He delivers salvation, to the weary and the cold,
And he brings joy, joy, joy to the wanderin' soul
He brings joy, joy, joy, to the wanderin' soul.

Subject: RE: a different sort of seasonal sing
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 01 Dec 14 - 11:14 PM

the one line should be:

the cleaning lady slip in through the door without a sound.

Subject: RE: a different sort of seasonal sing
From: Genie
Date: 02 Dec 14 - 04:02 AM

Love the Dave Carter song, Phil. Thanks for posting it.