Kit's Favorite Christmas Songs
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Those Warm and Fuzzy Holiday Songs
There's something very special about that period of time from late November through December: the warmth of holiday cheer, the feeling of togetherness, the making of family memories. The season is rife with all the best parts of human nature, from giving a dollar to the Salvation Army Santas and the door for other people to making gingerbread cookies with Grandma and picking out those perfect gift for a loved one. And, of course, who can forget all those holiday parties!
For me, one of the best things about the holidays is having an excuse to listen to all my favorite Christmas songs again. This lens is dedicated to my favorites, those best of the best that I love hearing during the holiday season. See which ones you recognize, and maybe you'll find a new favorite, too!
For me, one of the best things about the holidays is having an excuse to listen to all my favorite Christmas songs again. This lens is dedicated to my favorites, those best of the best that I love hearing during the holiday season. See which ones you recognize, and maybe you'll find a new favorite, too!
Countdown to Christmas
Christmas: December 25, 2011
Why I Love Christmas Songs
Getting Personal
When I was younger, a big thing at my school was the annual Christmas play. Every class was involved: the eighth graders were the stars and the tech crew, kindergarten through second grade each got to do a little skit on stage, and the third through seventh graders sang in the choir. And while the play was different every year, you could always count on a few of the old favorites making it into the songbook every time.Singing those songs every single year, I definitely grew to love a few above the rest. Add to this the fact that my mother has always loved Christmas and devoutly listens to those radio stations that play nonstop holiday music from November to January, and I probably didn't have much of a choice.
Over the years, a few versions have risen to the top of the list for me, so on my list you'll find a nice mix of the old classics and a few newer ones, songs that have just struck a chord with me, ones that I love to listen to, and ones that I will gladly sing at the top of my lungs while cruising down the highway.
Great Collections of Christmas Carols
Sing, Sing, Sing!
Singing Christmas carols is a great way to bring the family together. Part of my family's Christmas tradition was for my brother and I to sing Silent Night to my grandmother every Christmas Eve. Start your own family traditions with these songbooks, featuring both the lyrics and the melodies!
Adoration of the Shepherds, Charles Le Brun, 1689
What Child Is This?
The Josh Groban Version
In 1865, twenty-nine-year-old William Chatterton Dix was struck with an illness and bedridden for many months. While this doesn't sound like a good thing, it gave him time to write a few hymns, one of which has gone on to become a Christmas classic and one of my favorites: "What Child Is This?"Perhaps one of the reasons I love this one so much is that it's set to the melody of Greensleeves, which was always one of my favorite songs to play on piano. It's a flowing melody, easy to catch on to and sing along with, and yet still has the power necessary for a song about the birth of Christ. You can find the lyrics here on Wikipedia.
Several artists have done versions of it, but one of my favorites is Josh Groban's, from his 2007 CD, Noel.
Buy the CD: Noel
by Josh Groban
Noel (Standard Version)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 06/02/2012)
Not only does he sing some amazing renditions of some Christmas classics, but this CD also features duets with Faith Hill, Brian McKnight, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It's a beautiful collection, with everything from "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" to "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "Silent Night" sung in Josh's amazing voice. A must-have for your Christmas collection!
Do You Hear What I Hear?
The Bing Crosby Version
I was surprised to find out that this one was written fairly recently - only in 1962. Having grown up with it, I always thought it was at least from the time of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (the poem, not the claymation Christmas special). Instead, it was written during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis by the husband and wife duo of Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker as a plea for peace.A year later, Bing Crosby adopted the song and turned it into a Christmas favorite with his powerful voice. I know, I know: he's more famous for his "White Christmas" and "Silverbells," but I've always had a fondness for his version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" It's a beautiful song with a message of peace... and it's a great one for the kids, too.
Do You Hear What I Hear Lyrics
Bing Crosby: Do You Hear What I Hear?
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Buy the CD: Bing Crosby's Christmas Classics
Christmas Classics
Amazon Price: $5.34 (as of 06/02/2012)
This crooner was famous for his Christmas songs, and this CD features a great selection, from his 1957 "White Christmas" performance on The Frank Sinatra Show to his 1977 "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" duet with David Bowie... and, of course, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" A welcome addition to any classic holiday collection.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings
The Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan Version
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is one of the old traditional Christmas songs. And by old, I mean old. While its lyrics weren't recorded until 1833, it was sung in Britain for centuries before then. It's not known who its composer is, but the song was featured in Dicken's A Christmas Carol in 1843."We Three Kings of Orient Are," on the other hand, does have a known composer: Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He wrote it for a Christmas pageant in 1857, and it has since gone on to become a Christmas classic. It was also my favorite song to play in my grade school's handbell choir.
Now, you may be wondering why I smushed these two together rather than giving them each their own little section. There's a very simple reason for it... because one of my favorite songs does just that! The Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan released a version in 2004 that combined "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "We Three Kings" - two traditionally rather solemn songs - into a quirky, upbeat song that will get your toes tapping and your body moving. Just see if you can sit still through it!
Christmas Songs
by Various Artists
Christmas Songs
Amazon Price: $4.01 (as of 06/02/2012)
I'll admit it - I bought this entirely because of The Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." I was pleasently surprised by some of the others, such as Dido's "Christmas Day" and McLachlan's "Song for a Winter's Night." Overall, a quirky, unusual CD to add to your Christmas collection.
The Little Drummer Boy
The Celtic Woman Version
The Little Drummer Boy tells the story of a little boy who goes with the shepherds and the wise men to see the newborn baby Jesus. All the others bring their finest gifts, gifts fit for a king, but the little boy only has his drum - and with Mary's blessing, he plays for the newborn, who smiles at him.It's a sweet story, a touching one that says that not all gifts fit for kings are tangible things. While the best-known version is the Harry Simeone one with the choir of children from 1958, it was originally composed by Katherine K. Davis and based on a traditional Czech carol.
There are a LOT of great versions of this one. I'm really fond of Josh Groban's from his Noel CD and Jars of Clay's version, but I decided on a version I heard for the first time on YouTube: Celtic Woman.
Celtic Woman: Little Drummer Boy
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A Christmas Celebration
by Celtic Woman
Christmas Celebration
Amazon Price: $3.41 (as of 06/02/2012)
I've watched several of the live performances of these songs, and these women truly have beautiful, angelic voices. If you love Celtic music, you'll appreciate the Gaelic lyrics on many of them and distinctive Celtic flare.
Mary, Did You Know?
The Clay Aiken Version
In 1984, Mark Lowry - a Christian singer, songwriter, and comedian from Texas - wrote the lyrics to a new Christmas song: "Mary, Did You Know?" Six years later, Buddy Greene put it to music.While several artists have recorded versions of it, my favorite is Clay Aiken's, from his 2006 album, Merry Christmas With Love. He has such a unique gift with his voice, and the song suits his style so well. Definitely a favorite!
Mary, Did You Know? lyrics
Clay Aiken: Mary, Did You Know?
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Angels We Have Heard On High
Sixpence None the Richer Version
"Angels We Have Heard On High" is a traditional Christmas carol sung to the tune of "Gloria" (the hymn, not the rock song). It was originally a French carol, which was later translated into English in 1862 by Bishop James Chadwick. It tells the story of the angels announcing the birth of Christ to the shepherds near Bethlehem.Of course, most people remember it's refrain best: Gloria, in Excelsis Deo. Every year, it was one of the songs my class looked forward to most for the Christmas season, all to see who could get through the "Gloria" without taking a breath in the middle.
There are a lot of versions of this song, with different lyrics, even! I grew up with the "singing sweetly o'er the plains" one. You can find both versions, plus translations in a few different languages, at Wiki's Angels We Have Heard On High" page.
Many artists have covered this one, but the prize for best video definitely goes to Sixpence None the Richer. It's not my favorite vocals, but I adore the video.
Sixpence None The Richer: Angels We Have Heard On High
Feliz Navidad
The Jose Feliciano Version
In 1970, a Puerto Rican singer-songwriter by the name of Jose Feliciano fully embraced the philosophy of "keep it simple" with his song, "Feliz Navidad." The entire song consists of only two lines: "Feliz Navidad, próspero año y felicidad" and "I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!", making it easy to learn. The melody is equally simple, making it easy to sing, too. Add into the mix an upbeat party feeling, and you've got yourself a hit!
Let's face it, this song is just fun to sing. And it makes up the longest phrase I know in Spanish!
And if you really need them, here are the lyrics to Feliz Navidad.
Let's face it, this song is just fun to sing. And it makes up the longest phrase I know in Spanish!
And if you really need them, here are the lyrics to Feliz Navidad.
Jose Feliciano: Feliz Navidad
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Time-Life Music: Treasury of Christmas
by Various Artists
Time-Life Music: Treasury of Christmas - Holiday Memories
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 06/02/2012)
This collection features a lot of the classic singers, from Bing, Gene Autry, and Perry Como to Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, and Burl Ives. And, most importantly, it's got Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad!"
What's Your Favorite Christmas Song?
Or Holiday Song, in some cases...
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Learn About Your Favorite Christmas Song
For the Inquisitive Mind
Many Christmas carols have fascinating histories. There are so many reasons to write a Christmas song, and it's fun to learn where all those classic songs came from. Check out these great books on the history of Christmas carols!
Christmas Mugs
For the Holiday Season
There's nothing better on a chilly December night than curling up in your favorite spot by the fireplace, listening to Christmas carols over the crackling of the fire with a mug of creamy hot chocolate to keep your fingers warm. Christmas mugs are a great way to celebrate the season, and they make for a touching gift that can spread the holiday spirit all through the year.
Here, then, are my personal picks from the Zazzle marketplace for great Christmas mugs. Don't forget the marshmallows!
Here, then, are my personal picks from the Zazzle marketplace for great Christmas mugs. Don't forget the marshmallows!
Christmas Songs Guestbook
Share your favorite Christmas song, or just stop by to say hi!
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d-artist Mar 24, 2010 @ 7:33 am | delete
- 5* lens...A.M. Meyer you are talented in art and writing, wish you would make more lenses...I enjoy your personality in your writing......my maiden name was v. Meyer
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ltraider
Dec 24, 2008 @ 12:41 pm | delete
- What a great list! Merry Christmas to you.
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Susan52
Nov 10, 2008 @ 9:27 am | delete
- You included my favorite, Mary Did You Know. Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without Silent Night. Very nice lens, very pretty!
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susannaduffy
Nov 9, 2008 @ 10:55 pm | delete
- Ah how lovely to see all of these treasures of Christmas music together. I enjoyed your information about the composers. Merry Christmas and 5*
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Treasures-By-Brenda
Nov 9, 2008 @ 6:45 am | delete
- A beautifully done page, you've managed to pick a couple of my favorites! Lensrolled to my Christmas Music lens.
Brenda
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Credit
Giving credit where credit is due!
Little Drummer Boy and Shepherd Boy © A. Meyer
Other images found at Wikimedia Commons and are listed as being in the public domain.
Other images found at Wikimedia Commons and are listed as being in the public domain.
by Kitsune64
Hi! Kit here, also known as Kitsune64 and A. Meyer. I admit it, I love Christmas music (well, almost all of it!).
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