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Flightmare wrote: I realize this is a parody of sorts, but still makes me smile this time of year. :) Plus, I'm a trek fan

'Tis the season! I'm still amazed at the effort put forth to produce that clip. And that the "Ressikan Flute" sold at the "40 Years" auction for $48,000 with the buyers premium!

Written in the 17th.

And the 13th.

My, daughter brought this one to my attention. "Back in the day, The Beach Boys would have recorded this!"

I think she's right.

From Ireland via Nashville.

No one ever expects, The Red Army Choir!

They do look like they are having fun, yes?

Though not a traditional carol, "Petit Papa Noel" is a very popular Christmas song in France.
TAM



Little Father Christmas

It's a beautiful Christmas night
Snow spreads its white coat
And eyes lift toward the sky
On their knees, small children
Before closing their eyelids
Say one last request

Little Father Christmas
When you come down from the sky
With toys by the thousands
Don't forget my little shoe
But before leaving
You must cover yourself well
Outside you will be so cold
It's a little because of me

I can't wait for it to get light
To see if you have brought me
All the lovely toys that I see in dreams
And that I ordered from you

Little Father Christmas
When you come down from the sky
With toys by the thousands
Don't forget my little shoe

And when you are on your beautiful cloud
Come first to our house
I wasn't always very well behaved
But I ask for your forgiveness

Little Father Christmas
When you come down from the sky
With toys by the thousands
Don't forget my little shoe

Little Father Christmas

Wolverine wrote:

I always have enjoyed Bob River's Twisted Christmas novelty songs.
My favorites are "Walking 'round in Women's Underwear" and the classic:

The Wexford Carol (Carúl Loch Garman, Carúl Inis Córthaidh) is thought to be the oldest Irish Carol and one of, if not the oldest known Christian carols. It's roots lay in the late 11th or early 12th century Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland.



Good people all, this Christmas time, consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done, in sending his beloved son
With Mary holy we should pray, to God with love this Christmas Day
In Bethlehem upon that morn, there was a blessed Messiah born
The night before that happy tide, the noble Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down, to find a lodging in the town
But mark right well what came to pass, from every door repelled, alas
As was foretold, their refuge all, was but a humble ox's stall
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep, their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God's angel did appear, which put the shepherds in great fear
Arise and go, the angels said, to Bethlehem, be not afraid
For there you'll find, this happy morn, a princely babe, sweet Jesus, born
With thankful heart and joyful mind, the shepherds went the babe to find
And as God's angel had foretold, they did our Saviour Christ behold
Within a manger he was laid, and by his side a virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of Life, who came on earth to end all strife
There were three wise men from afar, directed by a glorious star
And on they wandered night and day, until they came where Jesus lay
And when they came unto that place, where our beloved Messiah lay
They humbly cast them at his feet, with gifts of gold and incense sweet.

Using a12th century Welsh traditional air "Oer yw'r gŵr sy'n methu caru", Thomas Oliphant (in fits and starts over a 12 year period, 1862-1874) crafted new lyrics to match the heart lifting music.

William Chatterton Dix when struck by a near fatal illness in 1866 and ensuing depression, spent his days focused on the condition of his spiritual rather his physical body. One of the happy consequences of his illness was the new lyrics he wrote to a traditional English melody Green Sleeves.

A modern carol! Written in 1962 by Noël Regney and Gloria Shayne. As performed by Mr. Bing Crosby!

In 1942 Irving Berlin penned and Bing Crosby performed what would become the #1 selling single recording of all time, "White Christmas". Mr. Crosby performed the song in the musical film "Holiday Inn"(yes, the hotel chain's name was inspired by the film title) which featured 12 songs written by Berlin for the production, as well as retreading "Easter Parade".
This Academy Award winning film(best original song winner with nomination for score and book) is rarely, if ever shown in the U.S. due to Mr. Crosby's performance of the song "Abraham" in minstrel black face. Ironically the song commemorates Lincoln's Birthday and was written by a man of Jewish descent. In the 1954 remake the tune remains as an instrumental for a Vera-Ellen jazz dance scene, while the Minstrel Show number, sans blackface, was a new song "Mandy".
So most folks believe(only argument with my wife I've ever won)that "White Christmas" débuted in the 1954 film of same name that starred Mr. Crosby with Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen, and Rosemary Clooney.

Here is a link to the 1942 film version Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds:

New Link!


Another little known/remembered fact about "White Christmas" is that it was broadcast on the radio on April 30, 1975, as a signal to begin the U.S. evacuation of Saigon

nightmare wrote:Has anyone posted this yet? http://bit.ly/1czx1Gh" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I had just told my wife how blessed I was to not have heard "Jingle Dogs" yet this year. Then, I clicked on your link!
Thanks for making the Holiday complete!

K.Mooneyham wrote:I have become rather attached to this performance lately. Andrea Bocelli singing "Gloria in Excelsis Deo".

This carol is actually "Angels We Have Heard On High!". It is a traditional French carol from the late Middle Ages that celebrates The Shepherd's Angelic encounter as told in the Gospel of St. Luke. The English translation was accomplished in the 1860s by a Cornish Catholic Bishop Chadwick and the music expanded and arranged by Yale organist Edwin S. Barnes prior to 1916. The refrain is taken directly from Handel's "Gloria" which he composed as a portion of his oratorio "Messiah".

"Gloria in excelsis Deo" is a hymn sung during the praise portion of the Catholic and Byzantine Mass as well as being part of the Anglican Book of Common Worship.
"Gloria" has it's roots in the 2nd century AD with a Latin translation from the Greek accomplished in the 4th century. While the lyrics have changed very little over the centuries, that is not the case for the music. There are over 200 known accompaniments composed for "Gloria". The aforementioned Handel, Bach, Vivaldi and many other classical composers as well as modern compositions and plainchant melodies.
Here's a Bach composition, part of his Mass in B minor:


As an aside; During a performance of the chorus "Hallelujah" from Handel's "Messiah" it is traditional for the audience to stand. This supposedly began when George II, at "Messiah"s premier in London 1743, was so moved, he rose to his feet. The Court and Commons, of course, were soon upon theirs in response!
edited to add an as.

mamabearCali wrote:In seriousness "I hear the bells on christmas day" Casting crowns....

For fun. The Hat I got for Christmas is too Beeg....Mel Blanc