Stewart Family Christmas Songbook 2nd Ed - Lyrics
Author: Dad
Date: 2021-12-16 05:00:00+00:00
Publisher: Dave Stewart

Stewart Family

2nd Edition

DECEMBER 2021

Christmas Songbook

Lyrics

Dave’s

TABLE OF CONTENTS

JAZZ TYPE CAROLS

The Christmas Song

Christmas Time is Here

Winter Wonderland

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

White Christmas

Emmanuel, God With Us

My Grown Up Christmas List

Breath of Heaven

Jingle Bell Rock

Let it Snow

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

I’ll Be Home for Christmas

Blue Christmas

Silver Bells

Sleigh Ride

Feliz Navidad

Its the Most Wonderful Time

My Favorite Things

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

KID’S CAROLS

Jingle Bells

Jolly Old St. Nick

Frosty The Snowman

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Here Comes Santa Claus

O Christmas Tree

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

LEROY the Redneck Reindeer

Holly Jolly Christmas

Welcome Christmas

You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS CAROLS

What Child Is This?

Lullay

Little Drummer Boy

Silent Night

O Come O Come Emmanuel

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Joy To the World

Away In A Manger

The Holly and The Ivy

The First Noel

Do You Hear What I Hear?

We Three Kings

Angels We Have Heard On High

Ding Dong Merrily

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

O Come All Ye Faithful

Here We Come A’Wassailing

Deck The Halls

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O Holy Night

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Good Christian Men Rejoice

OTHER STYLES

I Wonder As I Wander

In The Bleak Midwinter

Christmas Bells

Emmanuel (If God is With Us)

Mary Did You Know?

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

Christmas Time's A Comin

Santa Baby

Auld Lang Syne

Happy Christmas War Is Over

Strange Way To Save The World

HISTORY OF CAROLS

History of Carols

Away in a Manger-history

Deck the Halls - history

Jingle Bells- history

O Holy Night - history

Silent Hight - history

The Christmas Song - history

The Twelve Days of Christmas - history

We Wish You A Merry Christmas - history

White Christmas - history

JAZZ TYPE CAROLS

The Christmas Song

(Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)

(Mel Torme/Robert Wells)

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

JT. Connor (c) 1952

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!

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.

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

Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman (c) 1947

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

Johnny Marks (c) 1962

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!

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:

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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

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.

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

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)

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...

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

HISTORY OF CAROLS

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/

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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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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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

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.

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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.

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.

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 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.

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

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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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.