DOUBLE FEATURE: Twelve Blogs of Christmas, Parts VII & VI:Christmas Songs and Carols

(Ok so I'm running out of time. But I will finish on Christmas day!)

7 CHRISTMAS SONGS & CAROLS

I've left out some of the traditionals like Silent Night, Oh Come all Ye Faithful and others in favor of newer songs.

7) Good King Winceslas - I was at a party at Harding and Dr. Worm burst in to this song. I've always liked it but nobody knows the words... that is except Dr. Worm. He sang all 5 or 6 verses to our amazement. I've since learned the words myself to duplicate his feat of wordery.

6) Character Songs - Rudolph and Frosty - It's good to be able to learn about a new Christmas character in song. I have fond memories of singing Frosty and yelling "Thumpity Thump Thump" in the back of the Weavers van, bouncing up and down like lunatics. Then we'd play tumbleweed and Travis would cry.


5) Jingle Bells - Also fun due to the proliferation of alternative lyrics (most notably the Batman parody)



4) Santa Claus is Coming to Town - The song that proves Santa is a creepy stalker. Although I do like the admonishment about pouting and crying. It still seems weird that Santa knows when you are sleeping (it's redundant to add that he knows when you are awake). He also knows if you've been bad or good but apparently only really watches two weeks before Christmas.


3) Up on the housetop - A fun song full of onomatopoeia like "click click click."


2) Deck the Halls - Also a fun song with the optional pyromaniac paraody that I will share if you don't already know it. I just love songs that have "fa la la la la" in them.


1) Spanish/English Christmas Songs - Most common is "Felice Navidad" but every year they also unwrap "Donde esta Santa Claus?" A really fun little song. Wherein they rename the reindeer: Pancho, Vixen, Pedro, Blitzen. Call into your radio station now and request it.


6 MORE CHRISTMAS SONGS & CAROLS (These are the traditional songs.)


6) Carol of the Bells - You know this one even if you think you don't. "Hark how the bells/sweet silver bells/all seem to say/throw cares away." I particularly like the big rock version by Manheim Steamroller.

5) Oh Christmas Tree - The song everyone thinks they know in german but actually don't.

4) Baby it's cold outside - Perhaps the least religious or christmassy song on the list. Made an appearance in Elf. I have some vague fantasy of singing this with wife each christmas to the embarassement of our children (hopefully when company is over).

3) The Christmas Song - You know, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire/Jack Frost Nipping at your nose" Song famously by what's-his-name and written by the "Velvet Fog" Mel Torme (reportedly in July).

2) Angels we have heard on high - Another beautiful song. I just like getting to that "GLO-O-O-O-ORIA" and acting like a lunatic.

1) Have a holly jolly christmas - This song gets me in the mood for christmas everytime! If pressed I will play this one for you on my uke, but be prepared to rock!

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 ev'ryone you meet.

Oh, ho, the mistletoe hung where you can see;
Somebody waits for you;
Kiss her once for me.

Have a holly jolly Christmas,
and in case you didn't hear,
Oh by golly, have a holly, jolly Christmasthis year.

(I've skipped so many that this may require another catagory.)