List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs

Subject: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: JedMarum
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 09:48 PM

What are your favorite (religious) Christmas songs, Mudcatters? Are there regional, traditional songs that you especially like? Do we have them in the DT?

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: sharyn
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 09:52 PM

I'm partial to The Cherry Tree Carol -- there are lots and lots of versions of it (but I haven't checked the DT)

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: JedMarum
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 09:54 PM

I always liked the implied faith and "magic" of Scarlet Ribbons - though it is not a Christmas Song specifically.

I also really a "Oh Come Oh Come Emanuel" pretty song.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: JedMarum
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 09:54 PM

I don't know The Cherry Tree Carol?

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: JedMarum
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 09:59 PM

It is in the DT; here. Now I need to go read this apocryphal story in order to understand it better. Thanks Shayrn.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 10:14 PM

Well, what do you want? Folk X-mas songs or religious songs?

Subject: Lyr Add: ADESTE FIDELES
From: mg
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 10:18 PM

There is a beautiful one I have only heard on one record..it is in Latin..Mariam et Joseph et infantatem positum in precipio.

I love Latin and miss it so much. ADESTE FIDELES. Other people are forever singing Panis Angelicus to a different tune on Christmas but I haven't ever heard a Catholic do it. Bing Crosby did the definitive version of Adeste Fideles.

Well, if no one knows the words, here they are from memory which may be wrong..

Adeste fideles laeti triumphantes
Venite venite in Bethlehem
Natum videte regem angelorum
Venite adoremus venite adoremus venite adoremus dominun

Cantate nunc lo chorus angelorum
Cantate hodie in Jerusalem
Gloria gloria in excelsis deo
Venite etc.

Deum de deo lumen de lumine
Deum verum de deo vero
Genitum non factum transubstantionem
venite etc...


Has anyone heard that one?

mg

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 10:26 PM

Clinton?
Religious Christmas songs. As opposed to Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

I'm not religious, but it doesn't stop me having favorite religious Christmas songs. I agree with sharyn about the Cherry Tree Carol. The thing gets stuck in my head every year and I kind of like it there. Great tune to play too.
Here's one version (this is the tune I know) and here's another.

O Holy Night. Local Jay Smith who passed away recently used to do a version that gave me chills. I also like Silent Night - I've never gotten sick of it like other folks I know have. The tune's beautiful and has lots of room to improvise. I used to love playing this on hammered dulcimer.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: DougR
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 10:30 PM

Jed: The Robert Shaw Chorale has the best (IMO) recording of "The Cherry Tree Carol" around. It was recorded in about 1950, and is available on some Robert Shaw albums on CD. A tenor, I know not who, is fetured on the recording. I asked Shaw one time whether the soloist was male or female and he said, "Male." He has a very high tenor voice that is absolutely emotionally moving.

sharyn: thanks for mentioning this song. It is one of my favorites too.

DougR

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: sharyn
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 10:35 PM

The Holly Bears a Berry is nice, too. This is not the same as The Holly and the Ivy. (Again, I haven't checked the DT). If you want it, let me know and I'll post the words.

Then there is Down in Yon Forest. Baez sang it. The Voice Squad sings it. And if it isn't here I'll post a set of words if someone asks.

Shepherds Arise, made famous by the Copper Family is good, too.

There are lots: What about I Saw Three Ships? (aka As I Sat on a Sunny Bank)

And if you extend your quest to seasonally appropriate songs you can sing The Cutty Wren on Saint Stephen's Day and a whole bunch of wassail songs.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Hester
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 11:38 PM

Sharyn suggested "Down in Yon Forest"

One of my favourites too! Particularly the version sung by Bruce Cockburn on his fabulous CD simply titled "Christmas".

Here are the words:

http://cockburnproject.net/songs&music/diyf.html

... and of course, a variant on the same theme, "The Corpus Christi Carol" (although probably not sung at Yuletide), particularly the achingly sweet version by the late Jeff Buckley.

And just to get back to my favourite obsession, I think "Down in Yon Forest" has strong mythic parallels with the Robin Hood death ballad (Child 120):

http://hesternic.tripod.com/herobound.htm

And speaking of Bruce Cockburn, he's written a modern hymn called "The Cry of a Tiny Babe", which, in its first verse, deals with Joseph's jealous anger about Mary's pregnancy, as in the Cherry Tree Carol.

Cheers, Hester

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: sharyn
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 12:14 AM

Actually, The Robert Shaw Chorale recording of "The Cherry Tree Carol" that I first heard features Florence Kopleff, a contralto soloist. The reference is Robert Shaw Chorale: Now Go We All A-Caroling, RCA VIC-1509. It is my favorite recording of the song and the version I have sung since childhood.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Bert
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 01:05 AM

Tee Hee, - Naughty commercial plug coming up...






Well it ain't folk but it's mine and it's one of MY favourites.

Stars and Snowflakes


And it's on my CD.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Genie
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 02:30 AM

Riu, Riu Chiu (aka "Guardo El Lobo") - a medieval Spanish carol that is very haunting

The Friendly Beasts

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

A La Nanita (I think this one is from Mexico. It's a lullaby.)

Virgin Mary (as sung by Carolyn Hester)

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 07:19 AM

Another Christmas song by Tull. I like it so much I play it all the year round!

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 08:12 AM

Cherry Tree Carol (Not the "Searching for Lambs" tune -- the other one)

Holly and the Ivy (the "rising of the sun, the running of the deer" version)

In Praise of Christmas

various Wren songs

Boar's Head Carol

In the Bleak Midwinter

Once in David's Holy City

Pogo's "Deck Us All With Boston Charlie"

and The Christmas Shanty (which I don't seem to have in file -- I'll have to find my hard copy!) --
"It was early in the morning in December (December)
When all of my money it was spent (spent spent)
Where it went to, I really can't remember (remember)
So down to the credit union I went (went, went)
Santa come back
Take up the slack," etcet, etcet.


Linn

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: sian, west wales
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 08:40 AM

I like the Holly and the Ivy - either of two tunes which I have in a Cornish carol collection, not the one I tend to associate with Oxford choir boys. Also, "I Wonder as I Wander", and Jean Ritchie's "Brightest and Best". "Mary and the Baby" which I mentioned on the Homeless thread. Would "Silent Night" count? (I don't see why not!) Also, some Welsh plygain carols, but I doubt if anyone else would know those ...

sian

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: MMario
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 08:45 AM

Most of the ones mentioned I like - some to sing, some just for listening. Also 'The Bellman's Carol'; 'Angels We Have Heard on High'; the lullabye version of "Away in a Manger" and 'The Huron Carol'

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: allanwill
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 08:47 AM

The only things I like about christmas are two songs - Harry Simoene's "Little Drummer Boy" and Bimg Crosby's "Do You See What I See".

Roll on, the thiteenth day of xmas.

Allan

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 08:55 AM

There's a sweet, lovely Spanish lullaby called "A La Puerto del Cielo" which ends with "Arru, arru." Quite tender.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Hester
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 08:58 AM

The wonderfully pagan "Ring Out, Solstice Bells", by Jethro Tull.

And "Masters in this Hall", as done by Pete Seeger, who notes that it was a favourite of William Morris.

And how can anyone mention Bing Crosby and "The Little Drummer Boy" in the same breath without thinking of the version with David Bowie, which also mixes in "Peace on Earth".

And oh yes: "Go Tell it on the Mountain" as done by Simon & Garfunkel.

Cheers, Hester

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Catarina
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 09:22 AM

Adeste Fideles is a common Chistmas song in Portugal. I'm sorry but I don't know if we have recordings, but is usualy sung during Chistmas Mass. The author was our king John the IVth (D. João IV) who is said to have beeen quite a good musician and composer and not much of a king.
My own favourite Christmas songs are Little Drummer Boy and O night divine.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 09:27 AM

Anyone seen/heard St Agnes Fountain. A great collaberation of musicians who get together at Christmas time & tour with unusual takes on trad. carols (& a few other things).

If you get the chance go & see them this year.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: JedMarum
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 09:37 AM

"quite a good musician and composer and not much of a king???"

I like his guy!

I could spend weeks researching all these songs. Thanks folks. I do love Adeste Fideles too, and remember it from Mass more then from Bing but I liked Bing's version too.

Since so many are familiar with the Cherry Tree Carol and its base story, I really will have to go off and find the Pseudo-Matthew gospel from which it apprently originates. I guess those apocryphal stories were kept well hidden from us Catholic boys!

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: sian, west wales
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 11:51 AM

I forgot: D'ou viens-tu, Bergere!

sian

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: DancingMom
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 01:01 PM

"Mary Had a Baby" from the Bruce Cockburn Christmas. That entire CD is wonderful. Sharon

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Amergin
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 01:16 PM

the grinch song...

Subject: Lyr Add: LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR
From: open mike
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 01:55 PM

i like the one which seems to be a black spiritual
Twelvth month of the year..
it is on the seeger family christmas i think
and the chorus goes january (january) february (february)
March, april and may,,,,june july and august,,,, sept. oct. nov.
it was the 25th day of december...
there is one line in the verse as i recall
such as:
he was born by the virgin mary....
on the last month of the year,,,

what month was jesus born?
on the last month of the year,,,

gonna tell God how you treat me...
on the last month of the year,,,

gonna shake glad hands with my mother
on the last month of the year,,,

although i believe i have heard a more'
rousing version than the seeger family..
by Bim and Connie Kaldor on their
album new songs for a old celebration...

it is a good educational song-
little ones may learn the months of the year
from hearing them repeated so often in the chorus..

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Tinker
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 03:06 PM

Jed, this one is really in the folk process. You might want to try this book apocryphal tales It is writings the church fathers discarded after the fourth century. They passed down through the folk process after that.

I found one source on line that uses the hypothesis that it was originally a date tree which then "processes" into a cherry tree. (but it gave no sources). The story would fit nicely with others about the boy Jesus making clay sparrows and giving them the breath of life, but I can't spot it in any of my books. Let me know if you find it. I'll give a closer read through the Infancy readings tonite and see if I can spot it.

Kathy

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Tinker
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 04:45 PM

Apocryphal Book of Matthew


CHAP. 20.-- And it came to pass on the third day of their journey, while they were walking, that the blessed Mary was fatigued by the excessive heat of the sun in the desert; and seeing a palm tree, she said to Joseph: Let me rest a little under the shade of this tree. Joseph therefore made haste, and led her to the palm, and made her come down from her beast. And as the blessed Mary was sitting there, she looked up to the foliage of the palm, and saw it full of fruit, and said to Joseph: I wish it were possible to get some of the fruit of this palm. And Joseph said to her: I wonder that thou sayest this, when thou seest how high the palm tree is; and that thou thinkest of eating of its fruit. I am thinking more of the want of water, because the skins are now empty, and we have none wherewith to refresh ourselves and our cattle. Then the child Jesus, with a joyful countenance, reposing in the bosom of His mother, said to the palm: O tree, bend thy branches, and refresh my mother with thy fruit. And immediately at these words the palm bent its top down to the very feet of the blessed Mary; and they gathered from it fruit, with which they were all refreshed. And after they had gathered all its fruit, it remained bent down, waiting the order to rise from Him who bad commanded it to stoop. Then Jesus said to it: Raise thyself, O palm tree, and be strong, and be the companion of my trees, which are in the paradise of my Father; and open from thy roots a vein of water which has been hid in the earth, and let the waters flow, so that we may be satisfied from thee. And it rose up immediately, and at its root there began to come forth a spring of water exceedingly clear and cool and sparkling. And when they saw the spring of water, they rejoiced with great joy, and were satisfied, themselves and all their cattle and their beasts. Wherefore they gave thanks to God.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 05:13 PM

Here are some of my latest favorites:

When Christmas Morn is Dawning - an old tune; we discussed it here; Wolfgang and several others helped with some history of the tune; Berit helped with the Swedish.

Christmas Comes But Once a Year - variant of Greensleeves; Masato found this one for me.

Il Est Ne (He is Born) at the cyberhymnal here.

Whence Comes This Rush of Wings here.

Rock-a-bye My Sweet Little Boy here.

I'm always looking for more, so please keep 'em coming.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Duane D.
Date: 13 Nov 02 - 11:23 PM

I always liked Tom Lehrer's "A Christmas Carol" but lately I'm liking the instrumental arrangements on George Winston's "December" album, particularly, "Some Children See Him."

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Hrothgar
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 03:35 AM

Nobody has mentioned "Silent Night" yet???

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Alio
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 08:26 AM

The Holly Bears a Berry and The Holly and the Ivy, for me. As for religious ones, I think In the Bleak Midwinter is beautiful.

How many weeks to go?

Ali

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Dahlin
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 08:30 AM

The Peace Carol by Bob Beers

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Beer
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 05:54 PM

Jesus,the Fugitive Prince By David Massengill
Silent Night All Day Long By John Prine
Christmas in The Trenches Sung by John McDermott

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: rea
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 06:31 PM

Bleak Midwinter (by Christina Rossetti - does that mean it isn't folk?)
Most Wassail songs.
Silent Night as done by Simon and Garfunkel
Holly and the Ivy as done by Steeleye Span
Seven Joys of Mary - most versions, including Great Big Sea's, but not only.
The Christmas Song - Dave Matthews Band (don't hate me! it's good!)

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: mmb
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 09:44 PM

Anything in any of the Nowell Sing We Clear albums! I can't possibly list all the titles, but approaching their 28th season of live performances and with(I believe) 5 CD's, John Roberts, Tony Barrand, Fred Bruenig, and Andy Davis (successor to Steve Woodruff) have kept the spirit of both Christmas and folk music alive and well! (Hey, Sandy, do I get a commission for hyping their albums? My nostalgia runneth over!)
   
Having attended for 23 of those years, I can attest to the sheer joy shared by their audiences, singing and foot-tapping through both the "religious" and "pagan/Solstice" portions of the performance. Especially when it was in the former St. Mark's church in Guilderland, when the building would resonate like an instrument to the tapping of everal hundred feet, whose owners loved blending their own harmonies as much as anticipating what foolish topical humor would arise in each year's Mummer's Play.

It is not for no reason that putting the first Nowell album into our record player remains our family's first non-church observance of Advent. It brings us together, even though I am 1500 miles away.

Plug "Nowell Sing We Clear" into your search engine and look for a location near you. Or get one of the CD's. Or give yourself a real gift and travel if you can, to experience one.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: outfidel
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 11:54 PM

I like the entire Emmylou Harris Christmas album, Light in the Stable

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Bert
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 01:28 AM

Jed, I was going to cut and paste that same phrase with the comment that "at least he got his priorities right"

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Gervase
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 06:21 AM

The Dunster Lullaby, as sung by Coope Boyes & Simpson in their Christmas Truce performance, is a lovely gentle song. And I'm sure we could claim In the Bleak Midwinter as folk - Holst could well have plundered some of the tune from a traditional source.
There's some good Christmas songs by the Susex a-capella group Ramskyte on one of their CDs, and Maddy Prior ands the Carnival Band did a good Christmas recording some years back. All infinitely better than anything by Max Bygraves!

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Folkie
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 08:42 AM

The Sheffield pub carols are my favourites, especially While Shepherds sung to the tune Pentonville. Have a listen to the version Vital Spark do on their CD "There were Shepherds"

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: JJ
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 09:15 AM

DougR, in the Robert Shaw Chorale's version of "The Cherry Tree Carol" you're referring to, the tenor soloist is Russell Oberlin. The recording is "Christmas Hymns and Carols, Volume II," RCA LM-1711.

Oberlin sang countertenor roles later in the 50s, notably in the Pro Musica Antiqua's PLAY OF DANIEL.

Sharyn, Florence Kopleff is the contralto on this recording, but that's not her on this cut. Robert Shaw made several recordings of Christmas carols with various personnel, released and re-released under various titles, so it must be another session.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Genie
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 10:17 AM

I'm not sure "Stille Nacht" should be counted as "folk," since we know who wrote the music and the lyrics, and it was composed for a specific occasion, with written sheet music.   But it's been adopted by folks all over the world and translated into many languages, including several versions of "Silent Night" and several of "Noche De Paz," and "everybody knows it," so I guess it's a folk song in the same way that some of Stephen Foster's songs are.

It IS one of my favorites, and I love to sing it in German, English, and Spanish.

Genie

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: GUEST,Herring_brother
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 10:43 AM

Not religious, buts it's got to be 'Fairytale of New York' by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Kim C
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 12:22 PM

The Holly Tree Carol (same as The Holly Bears a Berry) :-)

O Holy Night has always been one of my most favorites. One of these days I will be bold enough to learn it in the original French. For now I will content myself with Joan Baez's version, on her wonderfully marvelous Noel album.

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: GUEST,Paulo
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 12:43 PM

From the tradition "Bitter Withy" - well I sing it at Christmas anyway

Also a Cyril Tawney composition - "There are no lights on our Christmas tree"

Both in the DT by the way

Subject: Lyr Add: WHIP ME SANTA CLAUS
From: Amergin
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 12:54 PM

not exactly folks...but...

WHIP ME SANTA CLAUS
Mucus and the Bloody Phlegm
("Here Comes Santa Claus")

CHORUS: Whip me Santa Claus
Spank me Santa Claus;
Don't worry if my flesh be seared.
I should be harshly punished
For being bad all year.

Whip me Santa Claus
Spank me Santa Claus;
The time of reckoning is near.
I have to pay my social debt
Before I can have cheer.

Choosing the correction
Is solely up to you,
But I would like a reddened butt,
Do what you have to do.
If your hands are fragile,
A paddle you might use.
I want to surely pay my debt,
Therefore, you must abuse.
Paddles can have nails,
Yes that would be real good.
And like an executioner,
Please wear a leather hood.

Chorus

What is this you tell me,
You'll never punish me.
Cause that is not the way you work,
Hell that is news to me.
When you don't bring presents
To children that were bad,
Then you have punished them
I say by making them feel bad.
Violence may offend you,
Then use a gentle touch.
But still I want that reddened butt,
Is that asking too much?

Chorus

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: Genie
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 01:13 PM

You're a sick boy, Nathan. Sick, sick, sick! *BG*

Genie

Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
From: PaulBobbyBuzz
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 01:41 PM

"Cry of a Tiny Babe" from the fabulous "Nothin' but a Burnin' Light" Cockburn CD pbb