Christmas songs

Subject: RE: Christmas songs
From: Greg F.
Date: 07 Nov 97 - 07:45 AM

Thanks, Alison! Much appreciated; it is a beautiful carol.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.)

MIDI file: INBLEAK.MID

Timebase: 480

Name: In the bleak mid-winter

TimeSig: 4/4 24 8

Key: F

Tempo: 140 (428571 microsec/crotchet)

Start

0000 1 69 053 0718 0 69 053 0002 1 70 036 0238 0 70 036 0002 1 72 048 0478 0 72 048 0002 1 69 048 0478 0 69 048 0002 1 67 046 0958 0 67 046 0002 1 65 042 0958 0 65 042 0002 1 67 045 0718 0 67 045 0002 1 69 040 0238 0 69 040 0002 1 67 042 0478 0 67 042 0002 1 62 041 0478 0 62 041 0002 1 67 052 1438 0 67 052 0482 1 69 057 0718 0 69 057 0002 1 70 028 0238 0 70 028 0002 1 72 053 0478 0 72 053 0002 1 69 053 0478 0 69 053 0002 1 67 038 0958 0 67 038 0002 1 65 057 0958 0 65 057 0002 1 67 048 0478 0 67 048 0002 1 69 042 0478 0 69 042 0002 1 67 042 0718 0 67 042 0002 1 65 038 0238 0 65 038 0002 1 65 061 1918 0 65 061 0002 1 70 036 0718 0 70 036 0002 1 69 044 0238 0 69 044 0002 1 70 050 0478 0 70 050 0002 1 72 061 0478 0 72 061 0002 1 74 057 0478 0 74 057 0002 1 74 054 0478 0 74 054 0002 1 69 061 0958 0 69 061 0002 1 72 061 0458 0 72 061 0068 1 69 050 0478 0 69 050 0002 1 67 049 0432 0 67 049 0002 1 65 038 0478 0 65 038 0002 1 64 042 1918 0 64 042 0002 1 69 071 0718 0 69 071 0002 1 70 053 0238 0 70 053 0002 1 72 052 0478 0 72 052 0002 1 69 044 0478 0 69 044 0002 1 67 043 0958 0 67 043 0002 1 65 049 0958 0 65 049 0002 1 67 050 0478 0 67 050 0002 1 69 050 0478 0 69 050 0002 1 67 048 0718 0 67 048 0002 1 65 043 0238 0 65 043 0002 1 65 044 1901 0 65 044

End

To download the October 30 MIDItext 97 software click here

ABC format:

X:1

T:In the bleak mid-winter

M:4/4

Q:1/4=140

K:F

A3Bc2A2|G4F4|G3AG2D2|G6z2|A3Bc2A2|G4F4|G2A2G3F|

F8|B3AB2c2|d2d2A4|c23/12z7/24A2G43/24F2|E8|

A3Bc2A2|G4F4|G2A2G3F|F95/12||

MIDI file: PAST3.MID

Timebase: 480

Name: nameless

TimeSig: 3/4 24 8

Key: G

Tempo: 185 (324324 microsec/crotchet)

Start

0000 1 67 049 0478 0 67 049 0002 1 64 030 0478 0 64 030 0002 1 64 048 0478 0 64 048 0002 1 62 036 0958 0 62 036 0002 1 62 042 0238 0 62 042 0002 1 62 045 0238 0 62 045 0002 1 67 040 0238 0 67 040 0002 1 69 028 0238 0 69 028 0002 1 71 044 0478 0 71 044 0002 1 71 053 0478 0 71 053 0002 1 74 037 0958 0 74 037 0002 1 69 044 0478 0 69 044 0002 1 67 040 0478 0 67 040 0002 1 64 045 0478 0 64 045 0002 1 64 032 0478 0 64 032 0002 1 62 036 0958 0 62 036 0002 1 62 049 0478 0 62 049 0002 1 67 053 0238 0 67 053 0002 1 69 036 0238 0 69 036 0002 1 71 037 0478 0 71 037 0002 1 69 035 0478 0 69 035 0002 1 67 043 1438 0 67 043 0002 1 67 045 0478 0 67 045 0002 1 69 049 0478 0 69 049 0002 1 71 041 0478 0 71 041 0002 1 69 042 0958 0 69 042 0002 1 67 036 0478 0 67 036 0002 1 69 033 0478 0 69 033 0002 1 67 041 0478 0 67 041 0002 1 69 033 0478 0 69 033 0002 1 71 040 0478 0 71 040 0002 1 67 049 0958 0 67 049 0002 1 67 044 0238 0 67 044 0002 1 66 038 0238 0 66 038 0002 1 67 040 0238 0 67 040 0002 1 69 046 0238 0 69 046 0002 1 71 029 0238 0 71 029 0002 1 72 034 0238 0 72 034 0002 1 69 038 0958 0 69 038 0002 1 67 045 0478 0 67 045 0002 1 69 044 0478 0 69 044 0002 1 67 031 0478 0 67 031 0002 1 69 044 0478 0 69 044 0002 1 71 040 0478 0 71 040 0002 1 76 045 0958 0 76 045 0023 1 67 030 0457 0 67 030 0002 1 64 035 0478 0 64 035 0002 1 64 033 0478 0 64 033 0002 1 62 042 0958 0 62 042

End

To download the October 30 MIDItext 97 software click here

ABC format:

X:1

T:nameless

M:3/4

Q:1/4=185

K:G

G2E2E2|D4DD|GAB2B2|d4A2|G2E2E2|D4D2|GAB2A2|

G6|G2A2B2|A4G2|A2G2A2|B2G4|GFGABc|A4G2|A2G2A2|

B2e4|z/12G23/12E2E2|D4||

Have fun, and if you still haven't got the words to Gabriel's message let me know.

slainte

alison

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

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".

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

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.

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

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.
-Joe Offer-

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!

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

Subject: Lyr Add: AS JOSEPH WAS A-WALKING^^
From:
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.

The Cherry Tree Carol
Traditional

As Joseph was a-walking
He heard an angel sing
"This Night shall be the birth time
Of Christ, the heavenly King

He neither shall be born
In house nor in hall
Nor in the place of paradise
But in an ox's stall

He neither shall be clothed
In purple nor in pall
But in the fair white linen
That usen babies all

He neither shall be rocked
In silver nor in gold
But in a wooden manger
That resteth on the mould

Subject: RE: Christmas songs
From:
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.

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.

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".

Subject: RE: Christmas songs
From: Bruce O.
Date: 05 Nov 97 - 04:34 PM

[Read bold letters as super scripts.]

Sit yow merry Gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
for Jesus Christ is borne
to save or soules from Sattan's power
Whenas we runne astray

O tidings of comfort & joy

to save or soules from Satan

When as we runne away

O tidings of comfort & joy

In Bethlehem sweet Jury
this blessed babe was borne
And layd within A manger
upon this blessed morne
When as his mother mary
Did nothing take in Vaine

O tidings of comfort & joy

When as his mother mary

Did nothing take in Vaine

O tidings of comfort & joy

From God that was his father
A blessed angell came
And unto certaine sheepheards
brought tidings of the same
how that in Jury there was borne
the sonne of God by name

O tidings of comfort & joy

how yt in Jury there was borne

the sonne of god by name

O tidings of comfort & joy

O feare not say'd the Angell
Let nothing you affright
this day is borne a saviour
of vertue power and might
sufficient for to vanquish
the frandes of Sattan's quite

O tidings of comfort & joy &c

The sheepheards at this hearing
rejoyced much in minde
Did cease their sheepe a feeding
in tempest storms And winde
And went straight way to Bethelem
this blessed babe to finde

O this tidings of comfort & joy &c.

And when they came to bethlehem
whereat this infant lay
they found him in a manger
Where oxen fed with hay
the Virgin mary kneeling by
who to or Lord Did pray

O tidings of comfort & joy &c

With sudden joy and gladnesse
there sheepheards harts were fild
to see the babe of Israell
befor his mother milde
therefore with mirth And cheerefullnesse
rejoice each mothers childe

It is tidings of comfort & joy, et

Unto or lord sing praises
All you within this place
And wth true love and brotherhood
each other now embrace
this moving time of christmas
All malice now Eface

At this tidings of comfort & joy

this merry time of christmas

All malice now deface

At this tidings of comfort and joy

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.

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 perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

Isn't that a happy thought for Christmas?
-Joe-

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.

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."

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

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...)

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
This night there shall be born the heavenly king
He neither shall be clothed in purple nor in pall
But in the fair linen that wearen babies all
Noel! Noel!

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.

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.

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-

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-

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.

Subject: RE: Christmas songs
From: Earl
Date: 04 Nov 97 - 11:28 PM

Is Halloween over already?

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

Subject: RE: Christmas songs
From:
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
When all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchy Manitou
Sent angel choirs instead
Before their light the stars grew dim
And wandering hunters heard the hymn

Chorus
Jesus your king is born, Jesus is born
In excelcius Gloria!

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

Subject: Christmas songs
From:
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