Christmas Songs!
 

Ok, what are your favorite Christmas (or holiday in general) song?

I did the bulk of my Christmas decorating this past weekend, and have had Christmas music on in the background for the past three days, including now.

So what songs do you love to hear when Christmas rolls around? What feelings or scenes do they bring to your mind? What memories do they recall from times past?

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

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:::RG wanders off humming:::

Christmas Songs
 

RG,

Can't beat White Christmas.....God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was a favorite growing up. We like Deck the Halls and of course, there is nothing like a kid's choir doing Silent Night...so many that I love.

I remember one Christmas at sea....we gathered for midnight Mass on the hangerbay and sang Joy to the World.......that was a Christmas to remember.

rangerboy

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat. Won't you please put a penny in the old man's hat.

There's probably no one here that's ever heard THAT one.

Anyway, there is probably no person in the world who has listened to more Christmas music over the past few years than I have (my alter-ego/vanilla life requires it). Anyway, here's my ecclectic list of favorites:

1) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town....Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters (You mean the big fat man with the long white beard....) I LOVE this version.

2) All I Want For Christmas Is You...by a southern group called Vince Vance & The Valiants. Lisa Layne is the female vocalist. And this is the best "new" Christmas song in the past 20 years.

3) either Christmas Canon...or Christmas Eve/Sarajevo...by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. 2 fantastic instrumental pieces.

4) I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day...Suzy Bogguss. A great version by a popular Country singer a few years back.

5) Snoopy's Christmas...The Royal Guardsmen...Christmas Bells! Those Christmas Bells! Ringing through the land. Bringing peace to all the world and goodwill to man.

6) Merry Christmas Darling...The Carpenters...has there ever been a better mood-setter than this great song?

7) Nuttin' For Christmas...by Stan Freberg. This is the best version. Stan was the voice of many classic cartoon characters like Pete Puma (yeah, I'm a dork) and this song is a treasure.

8) It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year...Andy Williams

9) The Christmas Song...Nat King Cole.

10) Mary's Boy Child...Harry Belafonte

8-10 are just classics.

Sorry, RG & Rangerboy, you asked....

NOW we're getting festive. My favorite Christmas album is the Salsoul Chirstmas. I appreciate that it's (UGH) disco-themed, but it's got the best versions of Sleigh Ride and Little Drummer Boy I ever heard. I also like Bruce Springsteen's cut of Santa Claus is Coming To Town.

What I DO remember about that Salsoul Orchestra Christmas album was the artwork on the cover. A VERY short "Santa" skirted disco-chick, showing off her cute butt. Hard to believe THAT would be what I'd remember.

LOL Gary yeah little bonuses like that don't hurt ;)

Chistnas Song
 

If you haven't got a penny, a half penny will do...if you haven't got a half penny, God Bless You.

I DO remember that one Gary......hee hee

rangerboy

*raises hand high*

I have! We used to sing it in Music class in elementary school when we learned different Christmas songs at Christmas. :)

sarah

I remember that one from John Denver's Christmas special with the Muppets. Miss Piggy sang it. And yes I know I'm showing my age with that one.

Here Comes Santa Claus!
 

Another that I recall with much fondness is Here Comes Santa Claus.

At the annual Christmas show that I went to as a kid at the end all of the children would be gathered onto the stage. In order to get Santa to come visit us at the event we had to sing this song. So we would start out singing a verse, and then the director would tell us that we weren't loud enough, and that Santa couldn't hear us to know to come. So we would sing it again, louder. Still not enough! So louder yet again, now fairly screaming it out. Not enough! Then we bellowed it out at the top of our lungs, craning our heads back, more shouting then singing, jus making the walls almost shake...and then the song leader would get a sudden quizzical look on his face, frantically motion for us to be quiet, and then say, "What's that?!!" And outside you could hear jingle bells tinkling. In another moment, the outside door would burst open and in walked Santa Claus.

As far as I know, it's still being done today.

What a great memory!

Here Comes Santa Claus

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer
Pullin' on the reins
Bells are ringin', children singin'
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's filled with toys
For boys and girls again
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle,
Oh what a beautiful sight
So jump in bed and cover 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
It we just follow the light
So lets give thanks to the lord above
That Santa Claus comes tonight!

My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night, it brings tears to my eyes. And it's fun to sing! I love the part of Home Alone when he goes into the church and there's a choir singing the "fall on your knees" part. So beautiful.

1. Fairytale of New York by the Pogues

2. I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg lake

LOL "Fairytale of New York"??? That song is used in the film "PS I Love You". I know because I was a background extra in the film. Particularly the part where the girl sings "You scumbag you maggot you cheap lousy faggot Merry Christmas your arse I pray God it's our last". Sheesh.

Ny favoritest christmas song is Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! I love it!! I love to sing along to iiitttt.

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 the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels 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!"

My favorite religious Christmas song is Oh Holy Night or I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.


In secular songs I would have to say my favorite is Twelve Days of Christmas (Hawaiian or Local style) Mele Kalikimaka

Numbah One day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
One mynah bird in one papaya tree. (tutu is grandmother in pideon Hawaiian)


Numbah Two day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Two coconut, an' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Tree day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Foah day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Five day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Five beeg fat peeg... foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Seex day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Seex hula lesson, five beeg fat peeg (that make TEN!),
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Seven day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Seven shrimp a-swimmin', seex hula lesson,
Five beeg fat peeg, foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Eight day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Eight ukulele, seven shrimp a-swimmin', seex hula lesson,
Five beeg fat peeg (that make TWENNY!), foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two
coconut, An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Nine day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Nine pound of poi, eight ukulele, seven shrimp a-swimmin',
Seex hula lesson, five beeg fat peeg, foah flowah let, tree dry squid, two
coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Ten day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Ten can of beer, nine pound of poi, eight ukuklele, seven shrimp a-swimmin'
Seex hula lesson, five beeg fat peeg,
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Eleven day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Eleven missionary, ten can of beer, nine pound of poi,
Eight ukulele, seven shrimp a-swimmin', seex hula lesson,
Five beeg fat peeg, foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

(Numbah Twelve day of Christmas the bes', and the bes' stuff always come
las'...)

Numbah Twelve day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Twelve TELEVISION, eleven missionary, ten can of beer,
Nine pound of poi, eight ukulele, seven shrimp a-swimmin',
Seex hula lesson, FORTY steenkin' peeg,
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree!

Music and lyrics published by Hawaiian Recording and Publishing Company, Inc.,
and copyrighted in 1959.

I have always loved the songs, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, The First Noel and Jingle Bell Rock.

I'm another one that is huge on "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues. Definitely my favourite Christmas song.

Others in my top ten would be:

"2000 Miles" by the Pretenders
"Rockin' around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee
"Silent Night" by Elvis
"Merry Christmas to you" by Nat King Cole
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas" by Judy Garland
"Mary's boy child" by Harry Belafonte
"When a child is born" by Johnny Mathis
"Pretty Paper" by Roy Orbison

Ok, so I only have 9, lol. I'll just throw in "Run Rudolph Run" by Chuck Berry to round it out ;-)

Richard Windsor.

I remember a song we sung in middle school titled the "Twelve Days After Christmas"

The first day after Christmas
my true love and I had a fight.
And so I chopped the pear tree down
and burnt it, just for spite.

Then with a single cartridge
I shot that blasted partridge.
My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

The second day after Christmas
I pulled on the old rubber gloves
and very gently wrung the necks
of both the turtle doves.
My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

On the third day after Christmas
my mother caught the croup.
I had to use the three French hens
to make some chicken soup

The four calling birds were a big mistake
for their language was obscene.
The five golden rings were completely fake
and they turned my fingers green.

The sixth day after Christmas,
the six laying geese wouldn't lay.
I sent the whole darn gaggle to
the A.S.P.C.A.

On the seventh day, what a mess I found.
All seven of the swimming swans had drowned.

My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

The eighth day after Christmas
before they could suspect.
I bundled up the
eight maids-a-milking, nine ladies dancing, ten lords-a-leaping, eleven pipers piping, twelve drummers drumming - well, actually I kept one of the drummers – and sent them back collect.

I wrote my true love "We are through, love!"

And I said in so many words "Furthermore, your Christmas gifts are for the
four calling birds, three Frence Hens, Two Turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear treeeeeeeeeeee."

:D

Sarah, that was hilarious !!!!!

When I hear this one now, I often think of the Charlie Brown Christmas special. ;)

On a more serious note, I have a few favorites. I used to be heavily involved in music and am greatly influenced by musical composition and in the way my brain perceives the harmony of whatever instruments or voices are being used in a musical piece.

As a first soprano, my favorite Christmas song to sing was "Patapan", a traditional Burgundian carol. In an instrumental piece, flutes are usually used for the high first soprano notes. I LOVE this!

A favorite as well from a soprano viewpoint was Carol of the Bells

I think my favorite from childhood was Away in a Manger.

I also really like God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.

Then there's the cutesy wutsey ones like "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." "I want a Hippopatumus for Christmas."

And my overall favorite in this category, "I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas".

I broke my bat on Johnny's head;
Somebody snitched on me.
I hid a frog in sister's bed;
Somebody snitched on me.
I spilled some ink on Mommy's rug;
I made Tommy eat a bug;
Bought some gum with a penny slug;
Somebody snitched on me.

Oh, I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas
Mommy and Daddy are mad.
I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas
'Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad.

I put a tack on teacher's chair
somebody snitched on me.
I tied a knot in Susie's hair
somebody snitched on me.
I did a dance on Mommy's plants
climbed a tree and tore my pants
Filled the sugar bowl with ants
somebody snitched on me.

So, I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas
Mommy and Daddy are mad.
I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas
'Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad.

I won't be seeing Santa Claus;
Somebody snitched on me.
He won't come visit me because
Somebody snitched on me.
Next year I'll be going straight;
Next year I'll be good, just wait
I'd start now, but it's too late;
Somebody snitched on me.

So you better be good whatever you do
'Cause if you're bad, I'm warning you,
You'll get nuttin' for Christmas.

Of course, I ain't been nuttin' but GOOD! :D

sarah

ROFL I might have known SOMEBODY would have posted "I'm gettin' nuttin for Christmas" here sooner or later. "I hate nosy tattle-tales" :D

In high school, I was part of a show choir that sang a Christmas concert every year. It was always the boys who belted out a deep tenor-bass version of this song. Go figure. ;)