Chestnuts roasting on an open fire        Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Every-body knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow   Will find it hard to sleep to--night

They know that San--ta's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies onv his sleigh
And every mother's child   is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

So I'm offering this simple phrase     To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas     to you

Instrumental on verse

So I'm offering this simple phrase   To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas   to you

Christmas Time is Here

by Vince Guraldi , on the original soundtrack to "A Charlie Brown
Christmas"
Arr. Michael Franks & David Benoit

Christmas time is here,             happiness and cheer,
Fun for all that children call their favorite time of year.
Snowflakes in the air,          carols everywhere,
olden times   and ancient rhymes and love and dreams   to share.

Bridge:
Sleigh bells in the air; beauty every where;
yuletide by the fireside  and joyful memories there.

Christmas time is here; we'll be drawing near;
oh that we   could always see   such spirit through the year,

(Instrumental on verse)

Bridge:
Sleigh bells in the air; beauty every where;
yuletide by the fireside  and joyful memories there.
Christmas time is here;   we'll be drawing near;
oh that we  could always see   such spirit through the year,
oh that we  could always see   such spirit through the year,

Oh How I twinkle how I glow,       I can't contain my cheer

When you're beneath the mistletoe,   Christmastime is here!

Winter Wonderland

Dick Smith, Felix Bernard 1934

Sleigh bells ring,            are you listening,

in the lane,   snow is glistening

A beautiful sight,    we're happy tonight,

walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away     is the bluebird,
here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song,
as we go along,
walking in a winter wonderland.

Refrain:
In the meadow we can build a snowman,
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say: Are you married?
we'll say: No man,
But you can do the job when you're in town.

Later on, we'll conspire,
as we dream by the fire
To face unafraid,
the plans that we've made,
walking in a winter wonderland.

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
in the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
we're happy tonight,
walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird,
here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song,
as we go along,
walking in a winter wonderland.

Refrain:
In the meadow we can build a snowman,
and pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman,
until the alligators knock him down.

When it snows, ain't it thrilling,
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter, Walking in a winter,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

(Martin, Blane)     from the film Meet Me In St. Louis

Have yourself a  merry little Christmas,
    Let your heart be light
From now on, our
troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a   merry little Christmas,
    Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,   our
troubles will be miles     away.

Here we are as in olden days,
happy golden days    of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us   once more.

Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a   shin--ing
star upon the highest  bough.
And have yourself a merry    lit--tle Christmas   now.

White Christmas

Intro:
The sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway
I’ve never seen such a day,           in Beverly Hills, LA
But it’s December the 24th,       And I’m longing to be up North

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops    glisten
And children listen
To hear   sleighbells 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
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleighbells 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

Emmanuel, God With Us

CHORUS
E-mma---uel, God with us,  E-mma---nuel!
E-mma---nuel, God with us,  The son of Is---rael.

We dim the light.   We stoke the fire.
We breathe the evergreen.
Young ones wait    While the old ones make up
Tales of how it used to be.
China dolls,   Candy corn,
Painted wooden toys,  Treasures found
To the wondrous sound
Of carolling the Savior  Born to us on Christmas morn.

CHORUS

And still he calls  Through the night,
Beyond the days of old.
A voice of peace To the weary ones,
Who struggle with the human soul.

All of us,  Travellers,
Through a given time.
Who can know,  What tomorrow holds?
But over the horizon,  Surely you and I will find.

CHORUS

BRIDGE
And the years they come, And the years they go,
Though we may forget somehow

That the child once born in Bethlehem
Is still among us now.

CHORUS
E-mma---nuel, God with us,  E-mma----nuel!

E-mma---nuel, God with us,  The son of Is---rael.

E-mma---nuel, God with us,  E-mma----nuel!

E-mma---nuel, God with us,  The son of Is---rael.

The son of Is ----------      Israel.

My Grown Up Christmas List

Do you remember me I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you   With childhood fantasies
Well, I'm all grown up now And still need help somehow
I'm not a child  But my heart still can dream
So here's my lifelong wish My grown up Christmas list
Not for myself But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend  And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my    grown up Christmas list

As children we believed The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely  Wrapped beneath our tree
Well heaven only     knows   That packages and bows
Can never heal  A hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend  And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my    grown up Christmas list

Bridge:
What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend  And right would always win
And love would never end,           oh
This is my grown up Christmas list
This is my grown up Christmas list
This is my grown up Christmas list

Breath of Heaven

I have tra---veled                     many moonless         nights
Cold and wea---ry,                  with a babe inside

And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father you have come
And chosen me now, to carry your son.

I am wai---ting,               in a silent     prayer
I am frightened,              by the load I   bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now, be with me now

Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy,
Breath of Heaven.

Do you wonder         when you watch my   face,
If a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am for the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong, help me be strong,
Help me be strong, help me.

Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy.

Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy.
Breath of Heaven, Breath of Heaven,
Breath of Heaven, Breath of Heaven...

Jingle Bell Rock

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
(stop) Now the jingle hop has begun
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air.

What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
(stop) To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet
     That's the jingle bell,
     That's the jingle bell,
     That's the jingle bell rock

Let it Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss good night
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbying
But as long as you love me so
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

repeat then tag with

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night.

She didn't see me creep
down the stairs to have a peep;

She thought that I was tucked
up in my bedroom fast asleep.

Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
Underneath his beard so snowy white;

Oh, what a laugh it would have been
If Daddy had only seen

Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas

I'm dreaming tonight   Of a place I love
Even more than I usually do.
And although I know    It's a long road back
    I promise you

(key change from Ab to F)
I'll be   home for Christmas.    You can count on me

Please have snow and mistle--toe  And presents under the   tree.

Christmas Eve will find me Where the love-light gleams.

I'll be home for Christ--mas      If only in my dreams.

Instrumental break

Oh I'll be home for Christmas.    You can count on me.

Please have snow and mistle--toe  And presents under the   tree.

Oh Christmas Eve will find me     Where the love-light gleams.

I'll be home for Christ-mas  If only   in my dreams.

If only in my dreams.

Blue Christmas

(words & music by Billy Hayes - Jay Johnson)

I’ll have a blue Christmas without you
I’ll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me

And when those blue snowflakes start falling
That’s when those blue memories start calling
You’ll be doin all right, with your Christmas of white
But I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas

(instrumental break)

You’ll be doing all right, with your Christmas of white,

But I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas

Silver Bells

Written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks Dressed in holiday style.
In the air There's a   feeling of Christmas.
Children laughing People passing
Meeting smile after smile And on ev'ry street corner you'll hear,

Silver bells,       silver bells     It's Christmas  time in the city.
Ring-a-ling,        hear them sing.     Soon it will be Christmas day.

Strings of street lights   Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush
Home with their treasures.

Hear the snow crunch.
See the kids bunch.
This is Santa's big scene.
And above all this bustle
You'll hear,

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day

Sleigh Ride

JMitchell Parish, Leroy Anderson 1948

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,  ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together
with you,
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "Yoo hoo,"
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, let's go,     Let's look at the show,
    We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, it's grand,   Just holding your hand,
     We're gliding along with a song of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather
would be
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Bridge:
There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending a perfect day We'll be singing the songs
we love to sing without a single stop, At the fireplace while we watch
the chestnuts pop. Pop! pop! pop!

There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy,
When they pass around the chocolate and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Cur---rier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives!
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives!

Feliz Navidad

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad.
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad.

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart.

Repeat

Its the Most Wonderful Time

It's the most wonderful time of the year.
with the kids jingle belling and everyone tellin,
"You be of good cheer."
It's the most wonderful time of the year.

It's the hap, happiest sea-----son of all.
with those holiday greetings and gay, happy meetings,
when friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest sea-----son of all.

Bridge:
There'll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting
and caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories
of Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year.
there'll be much mistletoeing and hearts will be glowing,
when loved ones are near
It's the hap-happiest sea------son of all.

Bridge:
There'll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting
and caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories
of Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year.
with the kids jingle belling and everyone tellin,
"You be of good cheer."
It's the most wonderful time,
It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time ……. ..of the year.

My Favorite Things

Verse 1:
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens;
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens;
Brown paper packages tied up with strings;
These are a few of my favorite  things.

Verse 2:
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles;
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings;
These are a few of my favorite  things.

     When the dog bites,
     When the bee stings,
     When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel   so bad.

Em7    F#m7    Gmaj7    F#m7    x2

1st verse again

Verse 3:
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes;
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes;
Silver-white winters that melt into springs;
These are a few of my favorite things.

       When the dog bites,
       When the bee stings,
       When I'm feeling sad,

I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel    so     bad.

Em7     F#m7    Gmaj7    F#m7  x2   E6add9

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see every couple tries to stop
Rocking around the Christmas tree, let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie and we'll do some caroling

You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Voices singing let's be jolly,     deck the halls with boughs of holly
Rocking around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way

Break

You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Voices singing let's be jolly,     deck the halls with boughs of holly
Rocking around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday

Everyone dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way

Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see every couple tries to stop
Rocking around the Christmas tree, let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie and we'll do some caroling

You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Voices singing let's be jolly,      deck the halls with boughs of holly
Rocking around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way
Everyone dancing merrily in the new   old -   fa -    shioned way

KID’S CAROLS

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow    In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go    Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tails ring     Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing  A sleighing song tonight

refrain
Oh, 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
We got into a drifted bank And then we got upsot

Refrain

Refrain again

Jolly Old St. Nick

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, Susy wants a dolly;
Nellie wants a story book; She thinks dolls are folly;
As for me, my little brain isn’t very bright;
Choose for me, old Santa Claus. What you think is right.

Frosty The Snowman

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul,
With a corncob pipe and a button nose,
And two eyes made out of coal.

Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say,
       Dd      Ddim         Ab
He was made of snow but the children
know how he came to life one day.

There must have been some magic in that Old silk hat they found.
For when they placed it on his head, He began to dance around.
Oh, Frosty the snowman  Was alive as he could be,
And the children say he could laugh And play just the same as you
and me

Thumpetty thump thump, Thumpety thump thump, Look at Frosty go.
Thumpetty thump thump, Thumpety thump thump,
Over the hills of snow.

Frosty the snowman knew The sun was hot that day,
So he said, 'Let's run and   we'll have some fun  now before I melt away.'

Down to the village, With a broomstick in his hand,
Running here and there all Around the square saying,
Catch me if you can.

He led them down the streets of town  Right to the traffic cop.
And he only paused a moment when   He heard him holler 'Stop!'

For Frosty the snowman  Had to hurry on his way,
But he waved goodbye saying,  Don't you cry,
I'll be back again some day.'

Thumpetty thump thump,  Thumpety thump thump,
Look at Frosty go.
Thumpetty thump thump,  Thumpety thump thump,
Over the hills of snow.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go,
Take a look at the five and ten, glistening once again
with candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
toys in every store,
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
on your own   front door.

A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
is the wish of Barney and Ben,
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk is the hope of Janice and Jen,
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go,
There's a tree in the grand hotel, one in the park, as well,
the sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow,
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
soon the bells will start
And the thing that will make them right
is the carol that you sing right within     your heart.
Right within   your heart

Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen.,
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose,
And if you ever saw it,
You could even say it glows.
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names;
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,
Santa came to say:
Rudolph with your nose so bright,
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee,
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,
You'll go down in history."

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

You'd better watch out!   You'd better not cry!
You'd better not pout!    I'm telling you why,
Santa Claus is comin'    to town.
He's making a list  and checking it twice.
He's going to find out who's naughty and nice.
Santa Claus Is Comin'   To Town.

Refrain
He sees when you are sleeping.
He knows when you're awake.
He knows if you've been bad or good.
So be good for goodness sake!

With little tin horns and little toy drums,
rootie-toot-toots and rum-a-tum tums
Santa Claus Is Comin'    To Town.

Refrain
He sees when you are sleeping.
He knows when you're awake.
He knows if you've been bad or good.
So be good for goodness sake!

Curly head dolls that toddle and coo,
elephant folks and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus Is Comin'     To Town.

Refrain2
The kids and girls in boyland will have a jubilee.
They're going to build a toyland town, all around the Christmas tree.

You'd better watch out!   You'd better not cry!
You'd better not pout!    I'm telling you why,
Santa Claus is comin'
Santa Claus is comin'
(slower)
Santa Claus is comin'    to town.

Here Comes Santa Claus

Here comes Santa Claus! Here comes Santa Claus!
Right down Santa Claus Lane!
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer
are pulling on the reins.
Bells are ringing, children singing;
All is merry and bright.
Hang your stockings and say your prayers,
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

Here comes Santa Claus!  Here comes Santa Claus!
Right down Santa Claus Lane!
He's got a bag that is filled with toysp for the boys and girls again.
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle, What a beautiful sight.
Jump in bed, cover up your head,  'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane
He doesn't care if you're rich or poor  He loves you just the same
Santa Claus knows we're all Gods children That makes everything right
So fill your hearts with Christmas cheer 'Cause Santa Claus comes
tonight!

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane
He'll come around when the chimes ring out  That it's Christmas morn
again
Peace on earth will come to all   If we just follow the light
So lets give thanks to the lord above
That Santa Claus comes tonight!

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree! O     Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O      Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O      Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!  Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Much pleasure thou can'st give me.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright, There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be, And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! How richly God has decked thee! !"

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas,  my true love sent to me
Three French hens,  Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas,  my true love sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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!

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Grandma got run over by a reindeer.
Walking home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
but as for me and grandpa we believe.
She'd been drinking too much eggnog,
and we begged her not to go.
But she forgot her medication, and she
staggered out the door into the snow.

When we found her Christmas morning,
At the scene of the attack,
she had hoof-prints on her forehead,
and incriminating Claus marks on her back.

Refrain
Grandma got run over by a reindeer.
Walking home from our house Christmas eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
but as for me and grandpa we believe.

Now we're all so proud of grandpa,
He's been taking this so well.
See him in there watching football,
drinking root beer and
playing cards with Cousin Mel.
It's not Christmas without Grandma,
All the family's dressed in black
and we just can't help but wonder
Should we open up her gifts,
or send them back?

Send them back!!

Refrain

Now the goose is on the table
and the pudding made of fig
and the blue and silver candles
that would just have matched
the hair on grandma's wig.
I've warned all my
friends and neighbors
better watch out for yourselves,
they should never give a license
to a man who drives a sleigh
and plays with elves.

Refrain

ONCE MORE IN F

LEROY the Redneck Reindeer

Well you've all heard the story  About Rudolph and his nose
Well I'll tell you a Christmas tale  That never has been told
Well you may think you've heard it all But you ain't heard nothin' yet
About that crazy Christmas  That the North Pole can't forget

Rudolph was under the weather  And had to call in sick
So he got on the horn  To his cousin Leroy
Who lived out in the sticks
He said Santa's really counting on me
And I hate to pass the buck
Leroy said Hey I'm on my way
And he jumped in his pick-up truck

When Leroy got to the North Pole
All the reindeer snickered and laughed
They never seen a deer in overalls    And a John Deer tractor hat
Well Santa stepped in    And said just calm down
Cuz’ we all got a job to do   Like it or not Leroy's in charge
And he's gon’na be leading you
And it was

Leroy The Redneck Reindeer
Hooked to the front of the sleigh
Delivering toys to all the good ol' boys
And girls along the way
He's just a …. down home party animal
Two Steppin all across the sky
He makes jingle bells with the rebel yell
And made history that night

Before that night was over   Leroy had changed their tune
He had them scootin’ a hoof on  every single roof
By the light of a neon moon,    Santa wrapped his bad with the dixie flag
He was having the time of his life,    You could here him call
Merry Chistmas Y’all,  And all o’ y’all a goodnight
And it was

Leroy The Redneck Reindeer     Hooked to the front of the sleigh
Delivering toys to all the good ol' boys And girls along the way
He's just a down home party animal Two Steppin’ across the sky
He makes jingle bells with the rebel yell    And made history that night

He makes Jingle Bells with the rebel yell
And made history that night

Holly Jolly Christmas

Have a holly, jolly Christmas, it's the best time of the year,
I don't know if there'll be snow, but have a cup of cheer.
Have a holly, jolly Christmas, and when you walk down the street,
Say hello to friends you know and everyone you meet.

Hey, ho, the mistletoe, hung where you can see,
Somebody's waiting there, kiss her once for me.
Have a holly, jolly Christmas and in case you didn't hear,
Oh, by golly, have a holly, jolly Christmas this year.

Welcome Christmas

From How the Grinch Stole Christmas

FAH WHO FOR-AZE! DAH WHO DOR-AZE!
WELCOME CHRISTMAS, COME THIS WAY
FAH WHO FOR-AZE! DAH WHO DOR-AZE!
WELCOME CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS DAY

WELCOME WELCOME FAH WHO RAH MUS!
WELCOME WELCOME DAH WHO DAH MUS
CHRISTMAS DAY IS IN OUR GRASP,
SO LONG AS WE HAVE HANDS TO CLASP

FAH WHO FOR-AZE! DAH WHO DOR-AZE!
WELCOME CHRISTMAS, BRING YOUR CHEER
FAH WHO FOR-AZE! DAH WHO DOR-AZE!
WELCOME ALL WHO'S FAR AND NEAR

You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch

Verse #1:
You're a mean one, Mister Grinch
You really are a heel
You're as cuddly as cactus
You're as charming as an eel
Mister Gr - i - nch

(silence)
You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel

Verse #2 (same chords for all verses):

You're a monster, Mister Grinch
Your heart's an empty hole
Your brain is full of spiders
You've got garlic in your soul
Mister Gr - i - nch

(silence)
I wouldn't touch you with a
Thirty-nine and a half foot pole

Verse #3:
You're a foul one, Mister Grinch
You're a nasty-wasty skunk
Your heart is full of unwashed socks
Your soul is full of gunk
Mister Gr - i - nch

(silence)
The three words that best describe you are as follows
And I quote: Stink, stank, stunk

Verse #4:
You're a vile one, Mister Grinch
You have termites in your smile
You have all the tender sweetness of
A seasick crocodile
Mister Gr - i - nch

(silence)
Given the choice between the two of you
I'd take the seasick crocodile

Verse #5:
You're a rotter, Mister Grinch
You're the king of sinful sots
Your heart's a dead tomato splotched
With moldy purple spots
Mister Gr - i - nch

(silence)

Your soul is an appalling dump-heap, overflowing with the most
disgraceful
assortment of deplorable rubbish imaginable
Mangled-up and tangled-up knots

Verse #6:
You nauseate me, Mister Grinch,
With a nauseous super "naus"
You're a crooked jerky jockey and you drive a crooked horse
Mister Gr - i - nch

(silence)
You're a three decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich
With arsenic sauce

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS CAROLS

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 Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, 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 a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Lullay

Lullay, Thou little ti--ny Child     Bye-bye, lul--le,    lullay;
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child       Bye-bye, lul--le,    lullay.

Oh sisters two, how may we do
    To preserve this day?
This poor Childling for whom we sing
    Bye-bye, lulle, lullay.

Herod, the King, in his raging,
    Charged he hath this day
His soldiers in their strength and might,
    All children young to slay.

Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee,
    And ever mourn and say,
For at thy parting nor say nor sing
    Bye-bye, lulle, lullay.

And when the stars in gather do,
    In their far venture stay,
Then smile as dreaming, Little One,

Bye-bye, lul--le,    lullay.

Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
  A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
  Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
  To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
  So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Savior, is born!
Christ the Savior, is born!

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

O Come O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emman--uel,
And ransom captive I---sra--el,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O I—sra--el.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

Refrain:

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

Refrain:

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Refrain:

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

Refrain:

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

Refrain:

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.

Refrain:

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Refrain:

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen   Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power  When we were gone astray
O ti-dings of comfort and joy,   Comfort and joy
O ti-dings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel, This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds Brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then," said the Angel, "Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding In tempest, storm and wind
And went to Bethlehem straightway The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger, Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down, Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Joy To the World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Away In A Manger

Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

The Holly and The Ivy

The holly and the ivy, When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour

O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.

O the rising of the sun

And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.

O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.

The First Noel

The First No----el, the Angels did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

No-el, No--el, Noel, Noel

Born   is the King of I-sra-el!

(talking)
They looked up and saw a star  Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light And so it continued both day and night.
(singing)
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

And by the light of that same star Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent  And to follow the star wherever it
went.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

This star drew nigh to the northwest  O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both Pause and stay  Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those Wise men three Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence  Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord  Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought  And with his blood mankind
has bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
"Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite,
With a tail as big as a kite."

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
"Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the the sea,
With a voice as big as the the sea."

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
"Do you know what I know?
In your palace warm, mighty king,
Do you know what I know?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold--
Let us bring him silver and gold,
Let us bring him silver and gold."

Said the king to the people everywhere,
"Listen to what I say!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night

He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light."

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

Refrain:
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein

Refrain:
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

Refrain:
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

Refrain:
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies

Refrain:
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels we have heard on high,
Singing sweetly through the night,
And the mountains in reply
E-choing their brave delight.

Glo------------------ria in excelsis Deo
Glo------------------ria in excelsis De---o

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tiding did you hear?
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the new-born King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

See him in a manger laid
Whom the angels praise above;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While we raise our hearts in love.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Ding Dong Merrily

Ding dong! Merrily on high,

in Heavín bells are ringing,
Ding dong! Verily the sky

is rivín with an----gel    singing.

Glo-----------------------------ria,
hosannah in   the highest!

Eíen so here below, below,
let steeple bells be swungen,
And io, io,
by priest and people sungen.
Glo------------ria, hosannah in the highest!

Pray ye dutifully,
prime matin chime, ye ringers;
May ye beautifully rime
your evetime song, ye singers.
Glo------------ria, hosannah in the highest!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Refrain:
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer

Refrain:

We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here

Refrain:

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

O Come All Ye Faithful

(best version is Amy Grant/Phil Keaggy)

O' come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O' come ye, O come ye to Be--thlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels
O' come let us adore Him
O' come let us adore Him
O' come let us ad--ore Hi-----im
Christ the Lord

Yea, Lord we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Oh Jesus to Thee be all glory given
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
O' come let us adore Him
O' come let us adore Him
O' come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

O' come let us adore Hi------m,
Christ the Lord

Here We Come A’Wassailing

Here we come a-wassailing  Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you
a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year.

We're not daily beggars That beg from door to door;
But we are neighbors' children, Whom you have seen before.

Love and joy come to you,  And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you  a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year.

Good master and good mistress,  Are sitting by the fire,
Pray think of us poor children  Who wander in the mire.

Love and joy come to you,  And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you   a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year.

God bless the master of this house  Likewise the mistress too!
And all the little children that 'round the table go

Love and joy come to you, And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you  a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year

Deck The Halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,   Fa la la la la, la la   la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,  Fa la la la la, la la la   la.
Don we now our gay apparel,  Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Yule tide carol,  Fa la la la la, la la   la  la.

See the blazing Yule before us,  Fa la la la la, la la   la   la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.  Fa la la la la, la la la  la.
Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la, la la la.
While I tell of Yule tide treasure,  Fa la la la la, la la la  la.

Fast away the old year passes,  Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,  Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together,  Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,  Fa la la la la, la la la la.

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the an--gels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world
Above its sad and lowly plains  They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds   The blessed angels sing.

O ye beneath life's crushing load, Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way  With painful steps and slow;
Look now, for glad and golden hours    Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,    By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years   Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own  The Prince of Peace, their
King,
And the whole world send back the song   Which now the angels sing.

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host pro-claim
"Christ is born in Bethle-hem"
Hark! The herald an--gels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see  Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by  Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth  Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing   "Glory to the newborn King!"

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark  streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in Thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary  And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep  Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King  And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently  The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts  The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,  But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still, The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels  The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us     Our Lord Emmanuel

O Holy Night

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,

His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Refrain
Go, tell it on the mountain,  Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,  That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching  Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens  There shone a holy li-ght.

Refrain
Go, tell it on the mountain,  Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,  That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled, When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angels chorus That hailed the Saviors birth.

Refrain
Go, tell it on the mountain,  Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,  That Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation  That blessed Christmas morn.

Refrain
Go, tell it on the mountain,  Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,  That Jesus Christ is born.

Good Christian Men Rejoice

Good Christian men rejoice
With heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what we say
News! News! Jesus Christ is born today!
Ox and ass before Him bow
And He is in the manger now
Christ is born toda------y! Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice
Now ye hear of endless bliss Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this
He hath ope'd the heav'nly door And man is blessed evermore
Christ was born for this Christ was born for this

Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice
Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace!
Jesus Christ was born to save
Calls you one and calls you all To gain His everlasting hall
Christ was born to save Christ was born to save

OTHER STYLES

I Wonder As I Wander

I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.
For poor on'ry people like you and like I...
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall,
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.
But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall,
And the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
A star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,
Or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing,
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King.

In The Bleak Midwinter

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,  water like a stone;
Snow had    fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, lo-----ng    ago.

Heaven cannot hold him, nor the earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall welcome Him
when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
For the Lord God, incarnate Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have thronged there,
Cherubim and seraphim gathered in the air;
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the beloved only with a kiss.

What then 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: I will give my heart.

Christmas Bells

John Gorka

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
Peace on earth, good will to men

I thought how, as the day had come  The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men
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 strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to
men
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then pealed the bells, more loud and deep, God is not dead, nor doth he
sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail  With peace on earth, good will to
men
Peace on earth, good will to men

I heard the bells on Christmas day  Their old familiar carols play
Wild and sweet, the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men
Peace on earth, good will to men
Peace on earth, good will to men

Emmanuel (If God is With Us)

Michael Card

A sign shall be given      A virgin will conceive
A human baby bearing    Undiminished deity
The glory of the nations  A light for all to see
That hope for all who will embrace  His warm reality

Chorus:
Immanuel   Our God is with us
And if God is with us   Who could stand against us
Our God is with us Immanuel

For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold your light has come

Chorus:

So what will be your answer?       Will you hear the call?
Of Him who did not spare His son     But gave him for us all
On earth there is no power           There is no depth or height
That could ever separate us          From the love of God in Christ

Chorus:

Mary Did You Know?

Mary, did you know   That your baby boy
Would someday walk on water?
Mary did you know    That your baby boy
Will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know             That your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered    Will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know      That your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know      That your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know               That your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God

Bridge
The blind will see             The deaf will hear
The dead will live again   The lame will leap
The dumb will speak        The praises of the Lamb

Mary did you know        That your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know        That your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know               That your baby boy
Is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am!

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Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
Shining afar through shadows dim
Giving the light to those who long have gone
Guiding the Wise Men on their way
Unto the place where Jesus lay
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine   on

Chorus:
Oh Beautiful Star
                  (Beautiful, Beautiful Star)
Of Bethlehem
              (Star of Bethlehem)
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us the light to light the way
Unto the land of perfect day
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Beautiful Star the hope of light
Guiding the pilgrims through the night
Over the mountains 'til the break  of dawn
Into the light of perfect day
It will give out a lovely ray
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine   on

Chorus:

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Beautiful Star the hope of rest
For the redeemed, the good and the blessed
Yonder in glory when the crown is won
Jesus is now that star divine
Brighter and brighter He will shine
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on

Chorus:

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Christmas Time's A Comin

Bill Monroe

Christmas Time's A-Comin'
Christmas Time's A-Comin'
Christmas Time's A-Comin'
And I know I'm goin' home.
Snow flake's a-fallin'
My old heart's a-callin'
Tall pine's a-hummin'
Christmas Time's A-Comin'.

Can't you hear them bells ringin', ringin'
Joy, don'tcha hear them singin'
When it's snowin', I'll be goin'
(pause) Back to my country home.

Christmas Time's A-Comin' Christmas Time's A-Comin'
Christmas Time's A-Comin' And I know I'm goin' home.

White candle's burnin'
My old heart's a-yearnin'
For the folks at home when
Christmas Time's A-Comin'.

Can't you hear them bells ringin', ringin'
Joy, don'tcha hear them singin'
When it's snowin', I'll be goin'
Back to my country home.

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Christmas Time's A-Comin'
Christmas Time's A-Comin'
Christmas Time's A-Comin'
And I know I'm goin' home.

Holly's in the window
Home where the wind blows
The cane foam's a-runnin'
Christmas Time's A-Comin'.

Can't you hear them bells ringin', ringin'
Joy, don'tcha hear them singin'
When it's snowin', I'll be goin'
Back to my country home.

Christmas Time's A-Comin'
Christmas Time's A-Comin'
Christmas Time's A-Comin'
And I know I'm goin' home.

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Santa Baby

By: Joan Javits, Philip Springer and Tony Springer

Santa Baby, slip a sable under the
Tree for me.       I've been an awful good girl.
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa Baby, a 54 convertible too, light blue.
     Well I'll wait up for you dear.
Santa Baby so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Bridge:
Think of all the fun I've missed.
Think of all the boys I haven't kissed.
Next year I could be just as good
if you check off my Christmas list.

Santa Baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot.
     I've been an angel all year.
Santa Baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa Honey, there's one more thing I really do need.
The deed - to a platinum mine.
Santa Honey, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Bridge:
Come and trim my Christmas tree
with some decorations bought at Tiffany's.
I really do believe in you, let's see if you believe in me.

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Santa Baby, forgot to mention one little thing - a ring,
and I don't mean on the phone.
Santa Baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

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Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne
And there's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand to thine
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne
For auld lang syne

1788 version Robert Burns:
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my jo,

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For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne,

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne

We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid willy waught,
For auld lang syne.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And long, long ago.

And for long, long ago, my dear
For long, long ago,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For long, long ago

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And surely youll buy your pint-jug!
And surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For long, long ago.

We two have run about the hills
And pulled the daisies fine;
But we've wandered manys the weary foot
Since long, long ago.

We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since long, long ago.

And there's a hand, my trusty friend!
And give us a hand of yours!
And we'll take a deep draught of good-will
For long, long ago.

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Happy Christmas War Is Over

John Lennon

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
and so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The road is so long

And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let’s stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

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And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
A new one just begun

And so happy Christmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

Outro:
War is over,
If you want it
War is over
Now

(repeat as much as you feel)

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Strange Way To Save The World

Sure he must have been surprised
At where this road had taken him
'Cause never in a million lives
Would he had dreamed of Bethlehem
And standing at the manger
He saw with his own eyes
The message from the angel come to life

And Joseph said...

Chorus:
Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside a stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl

Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way
to save the world

To think of how it could have been
If Jesus had come as He deserved
There would have been no Bethlehem
No lowly shepherds at His birth
But Joseph knew the reason
The love had to reach so far
And as he held the Savior in his arms

He must have thought...

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Chorus:
Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside a stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl

114

HISTORY OF CAROLS

115

History of Carols

Summary
The word carol comes from the French word carole, meaning circle dance,
or song of praise and joy. As early as 129 AD, Pagan songs sung around
the Winter solstice had been changed to Christian hymns to celebrate the
birth of Christ.
Christmas Carols as we know them have been sung for centuries and
originated in Italy during the time of St. Francis of Assisi around 1223
AD.

The popularity of singing Christmas Carols as we know it today really
originated in the mid-1800's during the Victorian era. Sandys and Gilbert
published a collection of Christmas songs that they had collected from
churches and small towns throughout Britain. This publication led to the
revival of singing publicly at Christmas and also inspired the tradition of
"caroling" from home to home spreading the Christmas cheer.

Most of the information here is from is http://christmascarols.us/

*******************
Why Were Christmas Carols Written?
The word carol comes from the French word carole, meaning circle dance,
or song of praise and joy. Naturally, Christmas Carols are songs of joy
celebrating the birth of Jesus. In scripture the birth of Jesus is surrounded
by music, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and
on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:13-14).

The origins of Christmas Carols were adapted from ancient pagan songs
that celebrated the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day
of the year and usually falls on December 21st. For the pagans the solstice

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held a special meaning and their traditions persisted into the Christian
culture. As early as 129 AD, songs sung around the solstice had been
changed to Christian hymns to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Christmas Carols as we know them have been sung for centuries and
originated in Italy during the time of St. Francis of Assisi. Around 1223
AD, St. Francis of Assisi had begun performing nativity plays to show the
birth of Jesus to local people and the poor. St. Francis and his monks
recreated the scene of Jesus' birth to show the people that Jesus had been
born in circumstances similar to theirs and that he was not from wealth or
privilege.

Most Christmas Carols have Christian meanings and traditions associated
with them but not all do. In the late 1640's Britain's Parliamentary Party
came to power and clamped down on the celebration of Christmas
(including the music) along with other holy days. As the government
clamped down on Christmas, the songs and carols were often sung in
private which allowed them to be passed on to the next generation. The
singing of Carol's was a praise to God and it was a tradition that could not
be legislated out of British culture. In 1660 the laws were reversed and
public singing of Christmas Carols was once again part of the Christmas
season.

One of the most famous Christmas Carols, The Twelve Days of Christmas
was written to preserve the Roman Catholic traditions and beliefs in
1640's Protestant Britain. The words of the song itself are a code to the
Catholic traditions of the twelve days.

Christmas Carols in the Modern Day
Today we think of Christmas Carols as songs we sing with family around
the Christmas Tree or a warm fire during the Christmas season. We may

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also think of them as songs sung by a cheerful group of people strolling
through town spreading the Christmas cheer.

The popularity of singing Christmas Carols as we know it today really
originated in the mid-1800's during the Victorian era. Two men by the
names of William Sandys and Davis Gilbert published a collection of
Christmas songs that they had collected from churches and small towns
throughout Britain. This publication led to the revival of singing publically
at Christmas and also inspired the tradition of "caroling" from home to
home spreading the Christmas cheer.

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Away in a Manger-history

This song is a Christmas Carol that is taught to children at an early age. It
explains the manger scene in a simple and easy to remember story. The
actual author/writer of the song has been lost to history. The song with its
simple and easy to remember verses has survived, though. The song has
roots in early 1880's America. The first known publishing of the song was
in May 1884 in the publication, "The Myrtle".

Away in a Manger is also known as Luther’s Cradle Hymn. For many
years it was thought that the song was written by Martin Luther and sung
by him to his children. It is now known that the song was written as part of
a collection for Martin Luther's 400th anniversary. There is even
speculation that the song was credited to Luther as a marketing gimmick
to promote sales. The original form of the song was a two-stanza version
and appeared to originate among German Lutherans in Pennsylvania in the
early to mid 1880's.

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Deck the Halls - history

The music to Deck the Halls is believed to Welsh in origin and was
reputed to have come from a tune called "Nos Galan" from 16th century
Wales, originally a New Year’s Eve song. In the eighteenth century
Mozart used the tune to “Deck the Halls” for a violin and piano duet.
J.P. McCaskey is sometimes credited with the lyrics of Deck the Halls but
he only edited the Franklin Square Song Collection in which the lyrics
were first published. The first publication date of Deck the Halls is 1881.
The author is unknown but the words are said to originate in America.

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Jingle Bells- history

Summary
Jingle Bells was originally called “The One Horse Open Sleigh” and was
originally not a Christmas song. Later renamed and now famous as the
first song broadcast in space, Gemini 6 crew sent reports of seeing Santa
Claus and they accompanied their report with an improvised version of the
song with bells and harmonica.

*************************
Believe it or not Jingle Bells, one of the most famous American Christmas
songs, was originally written for Thanksgiving! The author and composer
of Jingle Bells was a minister called James Pierpoint who, it is thought,
composed the song in 1857 for children celebrating his Boston Sunday
School Thanksgiving. The song was so popular that it was repeated at
Christmas, and indeed Jingle Bells has been reprised ever since.
The essence of a traditional Christmas is captured in the lyrics of Jingle
Bells and the sound effects using the bells have become synonymous with
the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus to the delight of children of
all ages!
Regardless of precisely where and when Jingle Bells was written, it is
clear it was not intended as a Christmas song (and indeed, it contains no
reference to Christmas or December, its only association with either of
these being a mention of snow). While there are several origin stories
about the song Jingle Bells, the most popular has it that James Lord
Pierpont wrote the song for a Thanksgiving program at his Father’s
Sunday school; the song proved to be so popular the children were asked
to the sing the song again at Christmas, and it has been tied to the latter
holiday ever since.
For more information on the origins of Jingle Bells see here:

The History Of Jingle Bells Explained (grunge.com)

History of Jingle Bells | BU Today | Boston University

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O Holy Night - history

Summary
Penned by a nonreligious Frenchman with music by a Jewish musician,
beloved by the French people but banned because of the author and
composer. Nevertheless continued to be sung, and on Christmas eve 1871
during the Franco-Prussian war an unarmed French soldier came out of his
dugout and bravely started singing the hymn, which led to a German
soldier following suit with a Martin Luther hymn, and this led to a 24
hours truce right there on the battlefield. The song eventually made it to
the U.S. where it became the very first song ever broadcast on radio waves
by Thomas Edison’s engineer.

**********************
The strange and fascinating story of "O Holy Night" began in France, yet
eventually made its way around the world. This seemingly simple song,
inspired by a request from a clergyman, would not only become one of the
most beloved anthems of all time, it would mark a technological
revolution that would forever change the way people were introduced to
music.

In 1847, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure was the commissionaire of
wines in a small French town. Known more for his poetry than his church
attendance, it probably shocked Placide when his parish priest asked the
commissionaire to pen a poem for Christmas mass. Nevertheless, the poet
was honored to share his talents with the church.
In a dusty coach traveling down a bumpy road to France's capital city,
Placide Cappeau considered the priest's request. Using the gospel of Luke
as his guide, Cappeau imagined witnessing the birth of Jesus in
Bethlehem. Thoughts of being present on the blessed night inspired him.
By the time he arrived in Paris, "Cantique de Noel" had been completed.

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Moved by his own work, Cappeau decided that his "Cantique de Noel"
was not just a poem, but a song in need of a master musician's hand. Not
musically inclined himself, the poet turned to one of his friends, Adolphe
Charles Adams, for help.

The son of a well-known classical musician, Adolphe had studied in the
Paris conservatoire. His talent and fame brought requests to write works
for orchestras and ballets all over the world. Yet the lyrics that his friend
Cappeau gave him must have challenged the composer in a fashion unlike
anything he received from London, Berlin, or St. Petersburg.

As a man of Jewish ancestry, for Adolphe the words of "Cantique de
Noel" represented a day he didn't celebrate and a man he did not view as
the son of God. Nevertheless, Adams quickly went to work, attempting to
marry an original score to Cappeau's beautiful words. Adams' finished
work pleased both poet and priest. The song was performed just three
weeks later at a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Initially, "Cantique de Noel" was wholeheartedly accepted by the church
in France and the song quickly found its way into various Catholic
Christmas services. But when Placide Cappeau walked away from the
church and became a part of the socialist movement, and church leaders
discovered that Adolphe Adams was a Jew, the song--which had quickly
grown to be one of the most beloved Christmas songs in France--was
suddenly and uniformly denounced by the church. The heads of the French
Catholic church of the time deemed "Cantique de Noel" as unfit for church
services because of its lack of musical taste and "total absence of the spirit
of religion." Yet even as the church tried to bury the Christmas song, the
French people continued to sing it, and a decade later a reclusive
American writer brought it to a whole new audience halfway around the
world.

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Not only did this American writer--John Sullivan Dwight--feel that this
wonderful Christmas songs needed to be introduced to America, he saw
something else in the song that moved him beyond the story of the birth of
Christ. An ardent abolitionist, Dwight strongly identified with the lines of
the third verse: "Truly he taught us to love one another; his law is love and
his gospel is peace. Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother; and
in his name all oppression shall cease." The text supported Dwight's own
view of slavery in the South. Published in his magazine, Dwight's English
translation of "O Holy Night" quickly found found favor in America,
especially in the North during the Civil War.

Back in France, even though the song had been banned from the church
for almost two decades, many commoners still sang "Cantique de Noel" at
home. Legend has it that on Christmas Eve 1871, in the midst of fierce
fighting between the armies of Germany and France, during the Franco-
Prussian War, a French soldier suddenly jumped out of his muddy trench.
Both sides stared at the seemingly crazed man. Boldly standing with no
weapon in his hand or at his side, he lifted his eyes to the heavens and
sang, "Minuit, Chretiens, c'est l'heure solennelle ou L'Homme Dieu
descendit jusqu'a nous," the beginning of "Cantique de Noel."
After completing all three verses, a German infantryman climbed out his
hiding place and answered with, "Vom Himmel noch, da komm' ich her.
Ich bring' euch gute neue Mar, Der guten Mar bring' ich so viel, Davon ich
sing'n und sagen will," the beginning of Martin Luther's robust "From
Heaven Above to Earth I Come."

The story goes that the fighting stopped for the next twenty-four hours
while the men on both sides observed a temporary peace in honor of
Christmas day. Perhaps this story had a part in the French church once
again embracing "Cantique de Noel" in holiday services.
Adams had been dead for many years and Cappeau and Dwight were old
men when on Christmas Eve 1906, Reginald Fessenden--a 33-year-old

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university professor and former chief chemist for Thomas Edison--did
something long thought impossible. Using a new type of generator,
Fessenden spoke into a microphone and, for the first time in history, a
man's voice was broadcast over the airwaves: "And it came to pass in
those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the
world should be taxed," he began in a clear, strong voice, hoping he was
reaching across the distances he supposed he would.

Shocked radio operators on ships and astonished wireless owners at
newspapers sat slack-jawed as their normal, coded impulses, heard over
tiny speakers, were interrupted by a professor reading from the gospel of
Luke. To the few who caught this broadcast, it must have seemed like a
miracle--hearing a voice somehow transmitted to those far away. Some
might have believed they were hearing the voice of an angel.

Fessenden was probably unaware of the sensation he was causing on ships
and in offices; he couldn't have known that men and women were rushing
to their wireless units to catch this Christmas Eve miracle. After finishing
his recitation of the birth of Christ, Fessenden picked up his violin and
played "O Holy Night," the first song ever sent through the air via radio
waves. When the carol ended, so did the broadcast--but not before music
had found a new medium that would take it around the world.

Since that first rendition at a small Christmas mass in 1847, "O Holy Night"
has been sung millions of times in churches in every corner of the world. And
since the moment a handful of people first heard it played over the radio, the
carol has gone on to become one of the entertainment industry's most recorded
and played spiritual songs. This incredible work--requested by a forgotten
parish priest, written by a poet who would later split from the church, given
soaring music by a Jewish composer, and brought to Americans to serve as
much as a tool to spotlight the sinful nature of slavery as tell the story of the
birth of a Savior--has become one of the most beautiful, inspired pieces of
music ever created.

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Silent Hight - history

Summary
The story of how the song Silent Night gained popularity is more story
than fact because there are no facts to back it up. The credibility comes
from the story itself and that it has been repeated since the early to mid
1800's.

The story begins that in 1818 Fr. Mohr had asked Mr. Gruber to compose
a melody to go with the words of the song that he had written a few years
prior. It is believed that Fr. Mohr wanted the carol to be sung by the
children of the village on Christmas Eve's midnight service. As the
children practiced the song the church organ broke and the children had to
learn the song without a musical accompaniment.

This song has been translated into 142 languages
****************

In 1816 the text to Silent Night was written by Fr. Joseph Mohr in
Mariapfarr, Austria. The music to Silent Night was composed in 1818 by
Franz Gruber. Silent Night was first played at St. Nicholas Church in
Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. Fr. Mohr had originally written the song
to be accompanied by a guitar but a second score was written for the
church organ. The song had made its way to some of the performing
families in Germany and Austria after 1820 and had become part of their
concerts establishing it as part of the local Christmas culture.

Obviously, the song was first written in German and its original title is "
Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht". The song was translated to English in 1863
by John Freeman Young but had become popular in America two decades
earlier. Silent Night was first performed in the US in 1839 by the Rainer
family, who sang 'Stille Nacht' at the Alexander Hamilton Monument

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outside New York City's Trinity Church. Even in its original German it
gained popularity in the States.

One of the most famous stories about this song was from the Christmas
Eve Truce in WW1. On Christmas Eve 1914 the Germans began singing, "
Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht" and so began the Christmas Truce.

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The Christmas Song - history

In 1946, Nat King Cole became the first recording artist to wrap his lush
vocals around what would become a standard of the holiday season, "The
Christmas Song." But that song was written by a different crooner: Mel
Tormé.

NPR's Noel King spoke with Mel Tormé's youngest son, James, an
accomplished jazz singer himself, to get the story behind the creation of
this Christmas classic. According to James, it was on a hot, oppressive
summer day in 1945 that his father, Mel, went over to the house of one of
his writing partners, Bob Wells.

"Wells was nowhere to be seen," James says, "But there was a spiral pad
at the piano. There were four lines scribbled down on it in pencil." Those
four lines were: "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire / Jack Frost nipping at
your nose / Yuletide carols being sung by a choir / And folks dressed up
like Eskimos."

When Bob Wells eventually appeared, he told Mel that he had been trying
to do everything to cool down on that hot day. Wells said, "I thought that
maybe if I could just write down a few lines of wintry verse, I could
physiologically get an edge over this heat." Forty-five minutes later, the
lyrics of what would be "The Christmas Song" were finished.

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The Twelve Days of Christmas - history

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol- the
origins of which are not known. Also, the date of the song's first
performance is not known, though it was used in European and
Scandinavian traditions as early as the 16th century.
The lyrics were a children's rhyme that was originally published in a book
called “Mirth without Mischief” in London around 1780. It was originally
a memory and forfeit game and it was played by gathering a circle of
players and each person took it in turns to say the first line of the rhyme.
When it is the first player's turn again he says the second line
of the verse and so on.

Another popular idea is that “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was written
to preserve the Roman Catholic traditions and beliefs in 1640's Protestant
Britain. The words of the song itself are a code to the Catholic traditions
of the twelve days.

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We Wish You A Merry Christmas - history

The custom of caroling through the streets originated in England when
wealthy businessmen hired street singers to accompany their strolls. The
tradition quickly extended to all types of choruses.

These singers became known as "waits," because the group would perform
and then wait around for any sweet rewards. Finding the perfect group of
singers became a lengthy process; everyone vied for the waits who knew
the best carols. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" was definitely on
everyone's list.

"We Wish You A Merry Christmas" is an English folk song from the
1500s and is the remnant of a time when poor carolers would hit up
wealthy listeners for handouts. It's a cheeky tune which recognizes the
dynamic between rich and poor, calling for figgy pudding and refusing to
leave the wealthy person's doorstep until some is delivered "right here."
This is an awfully ardent demand for a Christmas song, so it's meant to be
sung with a certain degree of joshing.

The origin of this Christmas carol lies in the English tradition wherein
wealthy people of the community gave Christmas treats to the carolers on
Christmas Eve, such as "figgy pudding" that was very much like modern-
day Christmas puddings. A variety of nineteenth-century sources state
that, in the West Country of England, "figgy pudding" referred to a raisin
or plum pudding, not necessarily one containing figs.

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White Christmas - history

Irving Berlin Wrote White Christmas. His original song included this
beginning:

  “The sun is shining, the grass is green,
  The orange and palm trees sway.
  There's never been such a day
  in Beverly Hills, L.A.
  But it's December the twenty-fourth,—
  And I am longing to be up North”

But this beginning is not well known today.

White Christmas" is the most-recorded Christmas song; there have been
more than 500 recorded versions of the song, in several different
languages.

Bing Crosby made it famous, first in 1941-42, then he recorded it again in
1947 which is the version we all hear now. The 1942 recording was
damaged due to overuse.