JINGLE BELLS

Jingle bells, jingle bells,

Jingle all the way.

I’ve got a gun and a clever disguise

To rob the bank on its busiest day

 

Jingle bells, jingle bells,

Jingle all the way.

We got caught do you know why?

Because we only had a getaway sleigh

MUSIC IN SPACE

 

Round the world they go

In nineteen sixty-five

Orbiting the earth

So high up in the sky

 

Dashing round the world

Above the earth they race

Jingle Bells the song, was

The first one played in space

 

O Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way.
Oh! What fun it is to ride

In a spaceship far away hey

 

Sung to the tune of Jingle Bells

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 1

 

Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule, and I have a short list of personal favorites.

Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my first selection.

 

“White Christmas” written by Irving Berlin and sung by Bing Crosby.

 

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

CAROL SINGING

 

The custom of singing carols at Christmas is of English origin which began in the middle ages.

In the beginning the singing of Christmas carols was known as 'wassailing'.

But this soon changed, and the singers became known as carolers when groups of serenaders called "waits" would travel around from house to house singing ancient carols and spreading the holiday spirit.

The word "carol" means "song of joy."

The reason Christmas carols became so popular was that the angels sang when they appeared to the shepherds at Bethlehem to announce the birth of Jesus Christ's.

The original meaning of a carol is quite different to what we imagine it to be today for a carol was once a secular dance which was performed at any time of the year.

People danced around in a circle holding hands and singing songs.

The dance reminded onlookers of a coronet, so they called it a 'carol'. The name was transferred later on from the dance to the song itself. Carols

By the 16th century carols were sung only at Christmas time and at one time only Bishops and clergy were permitted to sing carols in church.

But carols became too popular amongst the public to be confined to church and were soon sung in the streets.

A true Carol tells the story in song of the birth of Christ and is sung during period leading up to Christmas.

SILENT NIGHT

 

On the morning of Christmas Eve in 1818, an Austrian priest called Joseph Mohr, was told that the church organ was broken and would not be repaired in time for the Christmas Eve service.

He was so saddened at the prospect of Christmas without music that he decided he would try to write a carol that could be sung by the choir and be accompanied by guitar music.

So, Joseph sat down and wrote three stanzas and later that night the people in the little Austrian Church in Oberndorff sang "Stille Nacht" for the first time.

MUSIC IN SPACE

Round the world they go

In nineteen sixty-five

Orbiting the earth

So high up in the sky

 

Dashing round the world

Above the earth they race

Jingle Bells the song, was

The first one played in space

 

O Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way.
Oh! What fun it is to ride

In a spaceship far away hey

 

Sung to the tune of Jingle Bells

CAROLING IN WALES

 

The Welsh are a very musical nation so Caroling is particularly popular in Wales where it is called eisteddfodde and is amongst other things often accompanied by a harp.

One custom in some rural areas a person is chosen to travel around the town draped in white and carrying a horse's skull on a long pole.

If anyone is given a "bite" by the horse's jaws they must pay a fine.

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 40 JINGLE BELLS

 

Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule, and I have a short list of personal favorites.

Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my fortieth selection.

 

“Jingle Bells”
Written by James Pierpont

Performed by Rosemary Clooney

 

Dashing through the snow
Over the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtail ring'
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight!

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon, Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side,
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
And then we got upsot.

A day or two ago,
The story I must tell
I went out on the snow,
And on my back I fell;
A gent was riding by
In a one-horse open sleigh,
He laughed as there I sprawling lie,
But quickly drove away.

Now the ground is white
Go it while you're young,
Take the girls tonight
and sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bobtailed bay
Two forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! You'll take the lead.

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 41 JOLLY OLD SAINT NICHOLAS

Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule, and I have a short list of personal favorites.

Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my forty first selection.

“Jolly Old Saint Nicholas”

Lyrics by Benjamin Hanby
Music composed by Johann Pachelbel

 

Jolly old St. Nicholas, Lean your ear this way!
Don't you tell a single soul, What I'm going to say;
Christmas Eve is coming soon, Now, you dear old man,
Whisper what you'll bring to me: Tell me if you can.

When the clock is striking twelve, When I'm fast asleep,
Down the chimney broad and black, With your pack you'll creep.
All the stockings you will find Hanging in a row;
Mine will be the shortest one, You'll be sure to know.

Johnny wants a pair of skates, Susie wants a sled
Nellie wants a picture book, yellow,blue and red

Now I think I`ll leave
to you
what to give the rest
Choose for me dear Santa Claus
you will know the best.

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 42 THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

 

Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule, and I have a short list of personal favorites.

Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my forty second selection.

 

“The Twelve Days Of Christmas”

A traditional folk melody by English composer Frederic Austin

Performed by The Spinners

 

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me

A partridge in a pear tree

 

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

 

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eight Maids A-milking

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Nine Ladies Dancing

Eight Maids A-milking

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Ten Lords A-leaping

Nine Ladies Dancing

Eight Maids A-milking

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

 

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eleven Pipers Piping

Ten Lords A-leaping

Nine Ladies Dancing

Eight Maids A-milking

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Eleven Pipers Piping

Ten Lords A-leaping

Nine Ladies Dancing

Eight Maids A-milking

Seven Swans A-swimming

Six Geese A-laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 27 STAR CAROL

 

Star Carol Written By John Rutter

 

Sing this night, for a boy is born in Bethlehem,

Christ our Lord in a lowly manger lies;

Bring your gifts, come and worship at his cradle,

Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

 

See his star shining bright

In the sky this Christmas Night!

Follow me joyfully;

Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

 

Angels bright, come from heaven’s highest glory,

Bear the news with its message of good cheer:

“Sing, rejoice, for a King is come to save us,

Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!”

 

Let us pay our homage at the manger,

Sing his praise on this joyful Christmas Night;

Christ is come, bringing promises of salvation;

Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 30 SUSSEX MUMMERS CAROL

 

Sussex Mummers Carol

Traditional English Carol Writer unknown

 

God bless the master of this house
With happiness beside;
Where e'er his body rides or walks
His God be his guide.
His God be his guide.

God bless the mistress of this house
With gold chain round her breast;
Where e'er her body sleeps or wakes,
Lord, send her soul to rest.
Lord, send her soul to rest.

God bless your house, your children too,
Your cattle and your store;
The Lord increase you day by day,
And send you more and more.
And send you more and more.

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 29 O CHRISTMAS TREE (O TANNENBAUM)

 

O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)

Traditional German Carol Writer unknown

 

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!
Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!
The sight of thee at Christmastide
spreads hope and gladness far and wide
Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
Thou tree most fair and lovely!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message:
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message:
Thou dost proclaim the Saviour's birth
Good will to men and peace on earth
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
You stand in verdant beauty
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
You stand in verdant beauty
Your boughs are green in summer's glow
And do not fade in winter's snow
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
You stand in verdant beauty

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How laden are your branches
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Your presence here enhances
Your silver star does glisten bright
Reflecting all the candlelight
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How laden are your branches

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety
On Christmas Day you stand so tall
Affording joy to one and all
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety

A WINTER BLUNDERLAND

 

Doorbells ring, are you listening,

In the street, snow is glistening

Out in the night,

There’s a hideous sight

Your mother in her winter underwear

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 26 STILL, STILL, STILL

 

Still, Still, Still

Music Traditional and Lyrics by Georg Götsch

 

Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.
For all is hushed,
The world is sleeping,
Holy Star its vigil keeping.
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.
The night is peaceful all around you,
Close your eyes,
Let sleep surround you.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.

Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
While guardian angels without number,
Watch you as you sweetly slumber.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 42 THE SEVEN JOYS OF MARY

 

The Seven Joys of Mary

English traditional Music and lyrics authorship unknown

 

The very first joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of one
To see her blessed Jesus
When He was first her Son
When He was first her Son.

Chorus
When He was Her first Son, Good Lord;
And happy may we be,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
To all eternity

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of two
To see her own son Jesus,
To make the lame to go.
To make the lame to go. Chorus

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of three
To see her own son Jesus,
To make the blind to see.
To make the blind to see. Chorus

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of four
To see her own son Jesus,
To read the Bible o'er.
To read the Bible o'er. Chorus

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of five
To see her own son Jesus,
To bring the dead alive.
To bring the dead alive. Chorus

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of six
To see her own son Jesus,
Upon the Crucifix
Upon the Crucifix. Chorus

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of seven
To see her own son Jesus,
To wear the crown of Heaven
To wear the crown of Heaven Chorus