Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Anglo Date: 30 Jul 01 - 03:06 AM Another one that I don't think has been mentioned is the Ditchling Carol. Recordings on one of the Waterson:Carthy CDs, also on Nowell Sing We Clear "Just Say Nowell." |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Clinton Hammond Date: 30 Jul 01 - 03:16 AM I can't believe I almost forgot "HEY SANTA!" by Kevin Bloody Wilson! One of MY favorite x-mas songs!! ;-) |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: pavane Date: 30 Jul 01 - 05:08 AM Tom Lehrer's satirical song is worth a try: Christmas Time. The song contains many parodies of well known Christmas carols and songs. |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Cappuccino Date: 30 Jul 01 - 09:02 AM Ah yes, I'd forgotten the Tom Lehrer... got it on tape somewhere. My 13-year-old, showing uncommon good taste, has removed my Best of Lehrer to become part of his bedroom collection of 'going to sleep by' tapes. I shudder to think what effect it'll have on him...! - Ian |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: LR Mole Date: 30 Jul 01 - 09:48 AM "The Rebel Jesus", sung by Jackson Browne, is also on "The Bells of Dublin". Good Chieftans background on The Day because the song goes by and the relatives don't notice the words. |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: dbranno Date: 30 Jul 01 - 10:09 AM Hard hitting Xmas songs ,eh? Always loved that Exiles song, still think of it as 'Thank X for Xmas' McColl's 'Moving on Song' IS moving, and a rare gem is Sydney Carter's 'Standing in the rain' |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: SharonA Date: 30 Jul 01 - 10:22 AM Serious song: "Circle of Steel" by Gordon Lightfoot. Not-so-serious songs: "Zat You, Santa Claus?" by Louis Armstrong. "Big Dead Bird" by Lou and Peter Berryman. Also, The Arrogant Worms have a Christmas CD entitled "Christmas Turkey". My favorite from that is "OH GOD, I'M SANTA CLAUS" (guy dreams he's Santa, then wakes up to find that he's really the Easter Bunny). The Bob Rivers comedy troupe has 2 Christmas collections (that I know of) that include parodies such as "We Wish You Weren't Living With Us". Dare I say that I've written some myself? One is the Christmas story from Joseph's point of view (a lot of people find that song hard-hitting; some are offended by Joseph's language during the "anger" stage of his reaction to Mary's pregnancy); another song bemoans the difficulties encountered by a Protestant woman celebrating the holidays with her Jewish boyfriend. Got 4 more songs besides. SharonA |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Bluegrass Girl Date: 30 Jul 01 - 10:48 AM How about "Another Silent Night" written by Patrick H Ashley. It's a true story - about a fellow whose wife died of breast cancer just before the Holidays, leaving him with two little boys to raise. I've never performed this song without several people in the audience crying. It's a killer tune! |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Walking Eagle Date: 30 Jul 01 - 12:46 PM How about The Little Match Girl? |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Sarah2 Date: 30 Jul 01 - 01:25 PM And really off the wall, there's an old song by one W. Nelson called "Pretty Papers" that's simple sounding -- until the words start to register. S. |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Kim C Date: 30 Jul 01 - 01:31 PM I love that Robert Earl Keen song!!! It's just too true. One I haven't learned, that I have liked over the years in spite of my NOT being a Garth Brooks fan, is the song he does about the little girl who buys the nightingale in the market. I'm sorry I don't know the name of it. Also there's one called Corn, Water and Wood that Michael Martin Murphey recorded on Cowboy Songs Christmas (the first one, I think). Very nice. |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: lady penelope Date: 30 Jul 01 - 03:17 PM Beyond the realm of folk, there is, of course, "Christmas with the Devil" by Spinal Tap. It sounds rediculous, till you think about the 'oxymoron' nature of the song. TTFN M'Lady P. |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Willa Date: 30 Jul 01 - 05:58 PM KimC; the Garth Brooks song is 'The Gift', begins A poor orphan girl named Maria Was walking to market one day, She stopped for a rest by the roadside, Where a bird with a broken wing lay Garth Brooks, 'Beyond the Season |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: raredance Date: 30 Jul 01 - 09:40 PM A couple I don't think have been mentioned yet. "Detroit December" by Si Kahn "On Christmas I Got Nothing? by Chuck Brodsky rich r |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: raredance Date: 30 Jul 01 - 09:41 PM The "?" should be """ in the Brodsky title |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: dbranno Date: 31 Jul 01 - 10:58 AM Christmas where the gum trees grow, there is no frost and there is no snoooow... different time zones...sense of humour? Here's one From Don Henderson (the boy from Moonee Ponds) 'round 19&70... works well as a talking blues.
I was walking late last night.
I went down to St. Vincent's,
One of them was a nice old chap
The other bloke of which I speak
I asked him just what he was here for.
I asked him what he did for a crust.
Whew! |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: SDShad Date: 31 Jul 01 - 12:38 PM Dar Williams, "The Christians and the Pagans" |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE REBEL JESUS (Jackson Browne) From: GUEST,genie Date: 12 Aug 01 - 08:56 AM Ian, You may have found it already, but here are the words to Jackson Browne's song which I mentioned above. THE REBEL JESUS (Jackson Browne) Original recording from the Chieftains album The Bells Of Dublin The streets are filled with laughter and light And the music of the season And the merchants' windows are all bright With the faces of the children And the families hurrying to their homes As the sky darkens and freezes Will be gathering around the hearths and tales Giving thanks for all God's graces And the birth of the rebel Jesus They call him by the "Prince of Peace" And they call him by "The Saviour" And they pray to him upon the sea And in every bold endeavor As they fill his churches with their pride and gold And their faith in him increases But they've turned the nature that I worshipped in From a temple to a robber's den In the words of the rebel Jesus We guard our world with locks and guns And we guard our fine possessions And once a year when Christmas comes We give to our relations And perhaps we give a little to the poor If the generosity should seize us But if any one of us should interfere In the business of why they are poor They get the same as the rebel Jesus But pardon me if I have seemed To take the tone of judgement For I've no wish to come between This day and your enjoyment In this life of hardship and of earthly toil We have need for anything that frees us So I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer From a heathen and a pagan On the side of the rebel Jesus. (c) 1991 BMG MUSIC |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Geoff the Duck Date: 12 Aug 01 - 01:58 PM Lindisfarne did one called Winter Song which has a sting in its tail. Mike Harding also wrote one about Christmas 1914 in the trenches - I cannot recall the correct title. Don't forget the one by Greg Lake of ELP. Quack! |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Cappuccino Date: 12 Aug 01 - 07:28 PM Thanks, Genie! - ian |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,ray bucknell Date: 12 Aug 01 - 08:23 PM The Chad Mitchell Trio's "Twelve Days" (to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas) about neo-Naziism in Cold War Germany: let's see if I remember... He is still alive.... Monicles are back, ten swastika scribblers, got the wrong Eichmann, Telefunken H-bomb, seven million dollars, six guided missiles, to hell with Adenhaur (sp?), four Gestapo leaders, three anti-Semites, Rudolph Hess' blessings and a partridge in a pear tree. Chilling is an understatement. Ray |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,genie Date: 13 Aug 01 - 03:09 AM Por nada, Ian. Genie |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Dan in Nova Scotia Date: 13 Aug 01 - 09:30 AM Actually there's a song called 'Here's to You Santa Clause', written by Stan Rogers, which talks about a kid who asks Santa for CIA equipment for Christmas and when he receives it he tortures Santa to find out how reindeer fly. The last line in the song is "Here's to you Santa Clause the Easter Bunny's next". Also don't forget Arlo's Pause of Mr. Clause. Cheers, Dan |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,KT Date: 14 Aug 01 - 09:57 AM Ian, I don't think this one has been mentioned, but it's a beauty! Mary, Did You Know? by Mark Lowry I like Kathy Mattea's version on her album, GOOD NEWS.
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Subject: Lyr Add: NOTHING BUT A CHILD (Steve Earle) From: Susan from California Date: 14 Aug 01 - 11:54 AM I second the nod for "Mary, Did You Know?" Keith and I do it in a rock version and if I do say so myself it kicks butt :-) One of my favorites is Steve Earle's "NOTHING BUT A CHILD". It's on the CD Copperhead Road, and I believe on the above-mentioned Kathy Mattea CD (though I prefer Earle's version).
Once upon a time, in a far off land,
Chased a brand new star, ever towards the west ,
CHORUS: Nothing but a child could wash those tears away,
Now all around the world, in every little town, REPEAT CHORUS |
Subject: Lyr Add: I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY From: GUEST,Genie Date: 18 Sep 01 - 01:52 AM Ian, The events of the past week have reminded me of Longfellow's poem, "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day," which he wrote when he heard the bells ringing on Christmas Day in, I believe, 1860, and looked out the window and saw cannons firing, as the US North and South fought each other. [Note: The posting below says 1865, but I know that was not when he was inspired to write the poem, because the Civil War was over before then.] I am posting here the lyrics that most people sing today, but I hope someone out there has the other two verses, one of which begins "Then as from some foul dragon's mouth, The cannon thundered from the South ... ." I have these verses in a book somewhere, but I think I will post a lyric request in the mean time. Genie I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1865 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. I thought how, as the day had come, The bellfries of all Christendom Had rolled along th'unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. Till, ringing, swinging on its way, The world revolved from night to day. A voice, a rhyme, 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 stong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men." Then pealed the bells more loud & deep, "God is not dead, nor does he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men."
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Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST Date: 18 Sep 01 - 02:10 AM not sure how Christmasy it is, but I remember hearing many years ago a song that was rather popular at the time called Dear Mr. Jesus. it was sung by a little girl and it was about child abuse. |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Genie Date: 18 Sep 01 - 04:39 AM Ian, Joe Offer has posted the full text of Longfellow's original poem--written in 1864 and published in 1867--along with a link to the story of how the poem and the carol came to be. (See "Lyric Req:"I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day") BTW, I'm not sure how I got " some foul dragon's mouth" out of "each black, accursed mouth," but it looks like my memory got imaginative. The two verses I was seeking are:
Then from each black, accursed mouth
It was as if an earthquake rent
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Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Cappuccino Date: 18 Sep 01 - 05:48 PM Thanks Genie - I was just looking for something like that! - ian |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Genie Date: 18 Sep 01 - 10:59 PM I'm glad I could help, Ian. Sadly, the events that triggered my thoughts of this song were -- well, you know. Genie |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Steven G. Date: 19 Sep 01 - 02:11 PM I think someone wrote on this threat Stan Rogers "First Christmas". It is quite a hard hitting Christmas song, and would you think that at Christmas time, it is all nice and festive, but to some people it is another day to survive. Quite a moving piece of work, Steven G. |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Genie Date: 19 Sep 01 - 10:50 PM Kathy Mattea sings a song about "Just Another Homeless Family," but I am not sure that's the title. Genie |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Haruo Date: 20 Sep 01 - 10:26 PM Jesus was homeless as an adult, too. Don't forget "Tramp on the Street" and the like. Liland |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Genie Date: 22 Oct 01 - 12:09 AM refresh |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Keith A of Hertford Date: 22 Oct 01 - 04:59 AM I have not read the whole thread, so I'm sorry if this has come up. Ewan McColl's Moving On song is not an Xmas song but with its references to the Wise Men and the refrain Better get born in someplace else, the analogy to the Xmas story is very clear. |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: tar_heel Date: 22 Oct 01 - 12:49 PM how about,an old christmas card,by jim reeves... |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Claymore Date: 22 Oct 01 - 02:27 PM Another vote for "First Christmas" by Stan Rodgers. A truely stunning work, about young man's first Christmas away from his family, an abused daughter away from her father, an old man's first Christmas after his wife has died, etc. If someone could research the verses, I'm sure many would appreciate it. Also on a more humerous vein, we used to sing a song in the 'Nam called "The Night We Gunned Down Santa Claus", about how "Ho, Ho, Ho" did not squak "Friendly" on the IFF and "Merry Christmas" was not the password. Santa augers in with only Rudolph trying to pull him up, and the Marines eat vension that glows red in the dark. I'm sure that some sort of similar song will come out the the 'Ghan, with a first verse that goes, "By the light of burning turbans, sing we Noel", or something like that. |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Steven G. Date: 22 Oct 01 - 02:45 PM Yes, Claymore. I agree with you on Stan Rogers "First Christmas " I played the song a few times, and when you sing the song you sort of have a tear in your eye while playing this song. Quite hard hitting song to play... Steven G.
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Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Genie Date: 01 Nov 01 - 01:40 AM Now that the little goblins are all in bed, they can start dreaming visions of sugarplums and Tickle-Me-Elmo. So here's a refresh of this thread, to get folks thinking about not-so-ordinary Christmas songs. G |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Guest Date: 19 Nov 01 - 01:01 PM Anybody ever heard of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra? Here's their web address (sorry, don't know how to post a link.) Check 'em out. Helluva good guitarist (Al Pitrelli). Click on the Christmas Eve link. Happy Christmas! |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Kaleea Date: 20 Nov 01 - 01:29 AM Alfred Burt wrote this Christmas Carol in 1951: Some children see Him lily white, the baby Jesus born this night. Some children see Him lily white, with tresses soft and fair. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, The Lord of heav'n to earth come down. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, with dark and heavy hair. Some children see Him almond-eyed, this Savior whom we kneel beside. some children see Him almond-eyed, with skin of yellow hue. Some children see Him dark as they, sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray. Some children see him dark as they, and, ah! they love Him, too! The children in each different place will see the baby Jesus' face like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace, and filled with holy light. O lay aside each earthly thing and with thy heart as offering, come worship now the infant King. 'Tis love that's born tonight!
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Subject: Lyr Add: SOME CHILDREN SEE HIM (Hutsun/Burt) From: Genie Date: 20 Nov 01 - 10:31 PM Here is Burt's carol with the line breaks (as well as my somewhat audacious [?] third verse) added. (You can, of course, edit that one out to keep the song pure.) - Genie Some children see Him lily white, the baby Jesus born this night. Some children see Him almond-eyed, this Savior whom we kneel beside. If Jesus had been born a girl, this baby born to save the world, The children in each different place will see the baby Jesus' face |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Cappuccino Date: 21 Nov 01 - 05:11 PM Hey, we're back again - thanks, Kaleea and Genie, that last one's a cracker. It reminds me of a village in Zambia where our charity works - the village artist has painted the Last Supper as a mural, and of course Jesus and the disciples are all African. Doesn't half surprise some people... For the record, so to speak, those suggestions of 'Mary Did You Know?' got it on to our finished CD. Some of the others, ncluding that last one, are being done live. Very many thanks, everyone. - IanB |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: robomatic Date: 21 Nov 01 - 06:22 PM "Gun for Christmas" by Wall of Voodoo "Christmas Amoeba" by Steve Lyons, from the album "No Place Like Mars" heard once on the radio and haven't been able to locate a copy or anyone who has it "All I Want for Christmas is my two front teeth" Spike Jones, Maybe more hard hittin' than hard hitting. Pax to you too |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Joe_F Date: 21 Nov 01 - 06:58 PM Three tasteless whimsies and a recommendation: Hark, the herald angels sing: Glory to the newborn Thing, Which, because of radiation, Will be cared for by the nation. -- E. Gorey * It came upon a midnight clear And ate up everything in sight. * O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, O piss on thee, O Christmas tree. * For a hard-hitting Christmas *story*, read Chapter Ten, "The Ritchies Take Christmas", in Jean Ritchie's _Singing Family of the Cumberlands_, which I am glad to see is still in print. Read it aloud, even if you can't do that without crying, and sing the songs as you go. This is the best of Christmas and of Christianity. |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: CaptainLewis Date: 21 Nov 01 - 07:26 PM How about "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer Best! -CLB |
Subject: Lyr Add: RUN, RUN, RUDOLPH (from Chuck Berry) From: Tweed Date: 21 Nov 01 - 07:58 PM How 'bout Chuck Berry's "RUN, RUN, RUDOLPH"? Hit 'em hard and low...make their feet start moving ;~)
Out of all the reindeer, you know you're the mastermind
Run, run, Rudolph. Santa's got to make it to town.
Said Santa to a boy child, "What have you been longing for?"
Run, run, Rudolph. Santa's got to make it to town.
Said Santa to a girl child, "What would you like most to get?" |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Ron Date: 03 Dec 06 - 11:55 AM "First Christmas Away From Home" by Stan Rogers |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: Leadfingers Date: 03 Dec 06 - 01:26 PM 100 |
Subject: RE: Know any hard-hitting christmas songs? From: GUEST,Wayne Date: 03 Dec 06 - 01:49 PM Tom Pacheco's Christmas on Times Square (Jimmy the Fiddler) to be found on Woodstock Winter or Swallowed up in the Great American Heartland, is a heart rending song. Both albums are still available. Loudon Wainwright's Christmas Morning from Social Studies is shocking. I was dumbstruck when I first heard it. Fairy Tale in New York still packs a punch despite being belovrd of the Christmas compilation album compilers. On the traditional front, The Mistletoe Bough which recalls the oft told tale of a bride getting locked in a trunk during a game of Hide and Seek, is pretty hard hitting too. The version I know is on Calennig's excellent A Gower Garland. |
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