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List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: GUEST Date: 27 Nov 02 - 03:46 PM The Joseph Spence version of Santa Claus is Coming to town is a true classic that must be heard to be believed. |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: Genie Date: 27 Nov 02 - 03:37 PM "Coventry Carol (Lullay, Thou Little Tiny Child)" is a beautiful one. Also "The Hills Are Bare At Bethlehem." |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: Steve-o Date: 27 Nov 02 - 02:44 PM Do not laugh, and do not turn up your nose until you've listened to it- the best Christmas album I own is "The Last Month of the Year" by the Kingston Trio. A great selection (some not so well-known carols, including ancient ones), perfectly arranged and played (not the usual syrupy orchestrations), and fine three-part harmonies. Check it out....unless you're one of them purist types. |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: denise:^) Date: 27 Nov 02 - 02:19 PM I learned a song once--'way back in junior high school--that was listed as a 'traditional Appalachian carol.' I've never seen it anywhere since, and it just occurred to me that someone here might know it, too-- It was called, "Sweet Mary, Guard Thy Precious Child." If it truly *is* an Appalachian carol, I'm sure they 'smartened it up' a bit for our choral arrangement, and I'd love to see a more 'authentic' version. Anyone ever hear of it? denise:^) |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: Julia Date: 17 Nov 02 - 10:06 PM I don't know who the other Julia is, but this is me. My faves are the Christ Child Lullaby and the Wexford Carol If you like British Isles carols and Celtic harp music check out the album Yuletide Treasure from www.castlebay.net |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: meatrail Date: 17 Nov 02 - 02:46 PM Rebel Jesus Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella. Tunney |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: Leadfingers Date: 17 Nov 02 - 11:34 AM I am with you there Giok -Christmas is now Drawing Near at Hand from Frost and Fire.And you can cheat and use it as an Easter Carol too. Adeste Fideles is definately better in Latin than in translation,so I am in agreement with Mary Garvey too. And for the secular side,Tom Lehrer or Adrian May |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: GUEST,Saulgoldie Date: 17 Nov 02 - 11:14 AM Does it have to be "Christmas" or is "Winter" OK? A Soulcake (as I hear it in my head by PPM) Song for a Winter's Night By Gordon Lightfoot (and BTW, anyone know how he is doing?) Green Christmas by Stan Frieberg Hot Buttered Rum from Bryan Bowers Hard Times (again) from Bryan Bowers The (mostly) annual piece by Chuck Cramer on NPR and as has already been mentioned: Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon (...and on each end of the rifle, we're the same) If the prompt was for carols only, I apologize for being out of step. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE CAROL OF THE ROSE From: GUEST,Julia Date: 17 Nov 02 - 10:23 AM "The Carol of the Rose" is one I discovered last year. A little along the lines of "The Little Drummer Boy," I suppose. Go pretty child, and bear this flower Unto thy little Saviour; And tell him, by that bud now blown, He is the Rose of Sharon known: When thou hast said so, stick it there Upon his bib and stomacher: And tell him (for good handsell too) That thou hast brought a whistle new, Made of a clean and oaten reed, To charm his cries (at time of need): Tell him, for coral, thou hast none, But if thou hadst, he should have one; But poor thou art, and known to be Even as moniless as he. Lastly, if thou canst win a kiss From those mellifluous lips of his, Then never take a second one To spoil the first impression. |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: fiddler Date: 17 Nov 02 - 05:37 AM Well The Boars Head Carol is brilliant - not specifically Christmas but is usually only hear then. And thats form me veggie almost Vegan but a beutiful tune and the words match it! A |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: Genie Date: 17 Nov 02 - 04:00 AM Among religious Christmas songs, I love Mark Lowry's (sp?) "Mary, Did You Know?" It could be considered "folk" in the same sense that Bill Staines's or Gordon Bok's songs are "folk." Anyway, it has a real folky sound to it. (My sister and I both change one line in it, though. The line about "...your baby boy will someday rule all nations" I sing as "... your baby boy can bring peace to all nations?" I originally thought that was the way it was written, and I decided not to change it after I found out the actual line. Sorry, Mark.) |
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Subject: Lyr/Tune Add: DUERMETE, NINO LINDO (A LA RU) From: Haruo Date: 16 Nov 02 - 06:48 PM This is a Southwest US Hispanic Christmas folksong whose title is given as "Duérmete, Niño lindo" (the incipit) or "A la ru" (from the refrain). The usual English version is "Oh, sleep now, holy baby" by John Donald Robb [d. 1989] (but note that the Spanish Infant is "pretty", not "holy". Duérmete, Niño lindo
MIDI file: alaru.mid Timebase: 192 Name: A La Ru This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the latest version of MIDItext and get instructions on how to use it click here ABC format: X:1 I believe the copyright to the Robb translation, which follows, is held by the (© 1954) University of New Mexico Press, as is that to Mr. Robb's arrangement, which can be found in several recent US hymnals, including the 1990 Presbyterian Hymnal (also published under the title Hymns, Psalms and Spiritual Songs) and the 1995 Lutheran supplement With One Voice: Oh, Sleep Now, Holy Baby
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: John MacKenzie Date: 15 Nov 02 - 04:41 PM Christmas is now drawing near at hand So thank the lord and be at his command And God a portion for you will provide, And prove a blessing to your soul beside. I can't remember what this is called, it is on the Watersons Frost and Fire album, and is without doubt my favourite Christmas song. Bom dia.....Giok |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: GUEST,John Gray in Oz Date: 15 Nov 02 - 04:29 PM Dear Santa, Again it is nearing that time of the year, With lots of good fellowship - lots of good cheer, But when its all over, I know I'll be crook, From too much wine, plum pudding and chook, So if I am lonely, and not near a pub, Please leave me six inches of beer in a tub. Your Pal, John Crook = ill. Chook = chicken. JG/FME |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: 53 Date: 15 Nov 02 - 03:36 PM Silent Night I don't know whether its a folk song or not but its my favorite. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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" |
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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! |
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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" |
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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 |
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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. |
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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!) |
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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 |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: Dahlin Date: 14 Nov 02 - 08:30 AM The Peace Carol by Bob Beers |
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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 |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: Hrothgar Date: 14 Nov 02 - 03:35 AM Nobody has mentioned "Silent Night" yet??? |
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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." |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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.. |
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Subject: RE: List Your Favorite Folk Christmas Songs From: Amergin Date: 13 Nov 02 - 01:16 PM the grinch song... |
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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 |
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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 |
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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' |
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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 |
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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 |
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