Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, be plenteous in mercy is to have the real spirit of Christmas. Calvin Coolidge.

Monday 10 December 2012

WEEK 4: LET'S SHARE!

Christmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.






Let's share them.

If you make a post, you are to insert the song's origin or history, lyrics, a video or a link to an mp3 file.
 If you want to add anything of value, do it in a commentary or a reply. 


Each post is 3 points
Each commentary is 2 points
Each reply is 1 point

31 comments:

  1. The song 'All I Want for Christmas is you' makes me feel the coming of Christmas. And I'd like to tell you about this song.

    "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff, and recorded by Carey. It was released by Columbia Records on November 1, 1994 as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Merry Christmas.

    "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is an uptempo song, composed in a pop, R&B and dance-pop style. Its lyrics declare that the singer does not care about Christmas presents or lights; all she wants for Christmas is to spend time with her lover. Carey wrote the song's lyrics and melody, while Walter Afanasieff arranged and produced the track. Many of the instrumentals were synthetically created with computerised equipment.

    The song was inspired by Carey's romantic sentiments toward her then-husband Tommy Mottola.

    "All I Want for Christmas Is You" was very well received by music critics. Parisien called the song "well-crafted", complimenting its instrumentation and melody. Steve Morse, editor of The Boston Globe, wrote that Carey sang with a lot of soul.

    Here you can watch the video and listen this song:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY

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  2. "Last Christmas" is a song by British pop duo Wham!, released on Epic Records in 1984. It was written by George Michael, and has been covered by many artists since its original release.

    The single sold well over a million copies and became the biggest selling single in UK chart history not to reach #1. A year later, it was re-issued for Christmas again (this time without a billed flip-side) and got to #6. A second re-issue at Christmas 1986—by which time Wham! had split—stalled outside the top 40.

    The video to "Last Christmas" shows George and partner Andrew Ridgeley accompanying girlfriends to see friends at an unspecified ski resort—although the cable-car that can be seen in two shots is from Saas-Fee, Switzerland. It becomes clear early on that the character of Andrew's girlfriend had previously been in a relationship with George, and that the song is aimed at her.

    Here the link where you can watch the video of this song:
    http://youtu.be/E8gmARGvPlI

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  3. Jingle Bells – A Christmas Song?

    No matter how charming the legends surrounding the origins of Jingle Bells may be, one thing is for sure - “The One Horse Open Sleigh” was most definitely not written as a song with Christmas in mind. Rather, it is more likely that the lyrics reflect Pierpont's fond memories of his childhood in New England where winters were filled with the thrill of racing through the snow covered landscape in open sleighs drawn by horses. It is also doubtful that the song was ever intended to be recited by a children's choir, as some would like us to believe. Given the flirty innuendoes of some text passages it seems more of a Victorian era version of a “cruising” song where youthful fun and first (albeit very innocent) encounters with the opposite sex play the main role.

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    1. Jingle Bells, based from a research, is one of the most frequently sung Christmas songs in the world. James Lord Pierpont (1822–1893) originally wrote this celebrated Christmas song under the title of One Horse Open Sleigh. Two years later, the title was renamed to the one we know of today.

      The song was really intended to be a Thanksgiving song but was then labeled as a Christmas song because it was usually sung during the Christmas season.

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    2. Jingle Bells has been covered by hundreds of artists over the decades and continues to be performed across the world today. The song has also been the subject of many parody versions over the years including a popular variation sung in the 1960s by US school children:

      “Jingle bells,

      Santa smells,

      Easter’s on its way.

      Oh what fun it is to ride

      In a beat up Chevrolet.”

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  4. Here are a lot of Chistmas songs and carols
    http://www.carols.org.uk/christmas_songs_index.htm

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  5. Best Songs For Christmas Season

    1. Happy Christmas (War is Over) - John Lennon and Yoko Ono
    2. White Christmas - Bing Crosby
    3. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
    4. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
    5. O Holy Night - Celine Dion
    6. Fairytale of New York - The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
    7. The Chipmunk Song - The Chipmunks
    8. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
    9. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bruce Springsteen & Bon Jovi
    10. Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy - David Bowie and Bing Crosby
    11. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – NSYNC
    12. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid
    13. Christmas In Hollis - Run DMC
    14. Christmas Wrapping - Spice Girls
    15. Jingle Bell Rock - Billy Idol
    16. Snoopy's Christmas - The Royal Guardsmen
    17. Here Comes Santa Claus - Gene Autry
    18. Donde Esta Santa Claus - Augie Rios
    19. Carol of the Bells - Destiny's Child
    20. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
    21. You're All I Want For Christmas - Brook Benton
    22. Baby's First Christmas - Connie Francis
    23. Home For The Holidays - Perry Como
    24. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Four Seasons
    25. Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
    26. May You Always - Harry Harrison
    27. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer - Elmo and Patsy
    28. Jingle Bell Rock - Chubby Checker & Bobby Rydell
    29. Jingle Bells - Singing Dogs
    30. Frosty the Snowman - Gene Autry
    31. Gabriel's Message" - Sting
    32. Merry Christmas Darling - The Carpenters
    33. Little St. Nick - The Beach Boys
    34. Please Come Home For Christmas - Charles Brown
    35. It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas - Perry Como & The Fontaine Sisters

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  6. Christmas is the time of fun and joy! The spirit of Christmas is sparkled by jingling bells of church, brightening lights on streets, mouth-watering aroma of Christmas cookies and arrival of Santa. However, Christmas celebrations without those melodious Christmas songs and music are incomplete! Just hum the melody of ‘White Christmas’ and most people will immediately paint a picture of snow, reindeers, and Santa Claus. Singing and listening to enchanting Christmas songs have long been a part of Christmas tradition. The music and songs of Christmas have originated from different genres. Thus, there is a one for every musical taste. There are traditional Christmas songs celebrating the birth of Christ, and there are other popular songs celebrating the festivities of the Christmas season. Here we bring to you some of the famous traditional Christmas songs celebrating the spirit of the season.

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. "Driving Home for Christmas" is a single written by Chris Rea and released in December 1988 as a non-album single. The song peaked at #53 in the UK Single Chart in 1988, and re-entered the chart in 2007, peaking at #33. Another version by Stacey Solomon was recently used in the Christmas commercials for Iceland supermarkets.

    Background

    In a live interview on the BBC Radio 4 programme Today on 16 December 2009 Rea said he wrote "Driving Home for Christmas" many years before he first recorded it. His wife had come down to London to drive him home to Middlesbrough in her Austin Mini to save money because it was cheaper to drive than travel by train. Inspiration for the song came as she and Rea were stuck in heavy traffic heading out of London with a long drive to Middlesbrough ahead of them. Rea said "Driving Home for Christmas" is a "car version of a carol"

    You can watch the music video right here:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=RU&hl=ru&v=THcbQyFtCqg

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    1. Singer and television presenter Stacey Solomon covered the song in 2011 and it was released on December 18, 2011 as her debut single. Originally intended to be used solely in commercials for supermarket chain Iceland and cabins, it was later released as a single due to popular demand.
      Background

      The single was released on December 18, 2011 on iTunes with all proceeds going to Alzheimer's Research UK and child

      In an interview with the British newspaper The Sun, Solomon said that she was nervous about going head-to-head with the winner of that year's series of The X Factor, "If I got Christmas number one it would be the best feeling in the world," she said. "I'd be ecstatic. I don't know if I'd be able to look Simon Cowell in the eye! No, I don't think he'd talk to me!"[1][15] She subsequently said that she wasn't disappointed that the single didn't make it into the UK top 20

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  9. This year one more wonderful Christmas song is added to my playlist.
    "When Christmas Comes to Town" is a beautiful and touching song included in the movie "The Polar Express." The said song was performed by Matthew Hall and Meagan Moore; it was sung in one of the pivotal scenes in the movie.

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  10. One more beautiful song is also from "The Polar Express". The song, "Believe", written by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, was nominated for Best Original Song at the 77th Academy Awards. It was sung at the 77th Academy Awards show by original performer Josh Groban with Beyoncé Knowles. It gained a Grammy Award in 2006. The album has been certified Gold by the RIAA since November 28, 2007.

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  11. The wonderful Christmas song "Let It Snow" was created by lyricist Sammy Cahn and the composer Jule Styne in 1945 in Hollywood, California, during one of the hottest days on record. The words and lyrics of "Let It Snow" reflect the feeling of warmth and security associated with Christmas and also brings in the more modern customs of popping corn!
    First recorded in 1945 by Vaughn Monroe, it became a popular hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard music chart the following year. One of the best-selling songs of all time, "Let It Snow!" has been covered countless times, including versions recorded by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Doris Day and Kylie Minogue. Due to its seasonal lyrics, it is commonly regarded as a Christmas song. It was also reprised in recent years when used in the Bruce Willis film Die Hard which started with the film's hero travelling to meet his family at Christmas.

    Here’s the version covered by Dean Martin:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN7LW0Y00kE

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    1. Yeah! I really like it! =) And I would like to share lyrics with you!

      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 goodnight,
      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 good-bying,
      But as long as you love me so,
      Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

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  12. I've recently watched the film "Love actually", in which I've heard a remake of the song "Love is all around". Billy Mack (played by Bill Nighy), changes the lyrics of the classic "Love Is All Around" to "Christmas Is All Around" and "come on and let it show" to "come on and let it snow" in what he freely admits is a cheap attempt to reach the Christmas number one spot, thus achieving a comeback "at any price". The Christmas version appears periodically throughout the movie, with frequent references made to its being "crap". The song is featured on the film's soundtrack album, which in 2004 reached Billboard's Top 40 and ranked #2 on the soundtrack album chart. It also achieved gold record status in Mexico and Australia.

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  13. "Frosty the Snowman" is a popular song written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson, and first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950. It was written after the success of Autry's recording of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" the previous year; Rollins and Nelson shipped the new song to Autry, who recorded "Frosty" in search of another seasonal hit. Like "Rudolph", "Frosty" was subsequently adapted to other media including a popular television special. The song was originally titled "Frosty the Snow Man".

    The song recounts the fictional tale of a snowman that is magically brought to life through a black top hat that a group of children place atop his head. Although Frosty enjoys frolicking and romping throughout town with the children who constructed him, the sun becomes too much for him to bear and Frosty is forced to leave town, promising his friends that he one day will return.

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  14. "Do They Know It's Christmas?" is a song written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 to raise money for relief of the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia. The original version was produced by Midge Ure and released by Band Aid on 29 November 1984.

    The song comprises two parts: a verse and bridge which allow individual singers to perform different lines; and a chorus in the form of two repeated phrases by ensemble. The chorus was added by Midge Ure shortly before the recording session. The first line of the recording is sung by Paul Young on the 1984 version, Kylie Minogue on the 1989 version, and Chris Martin of Coldplay on the 2004 version. The line was originally written for David Bowie who finally sang it at the Live Aid concert in 1985. See the Band Aid article for the full list of contributors.

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    1. A new version was recorded under the name of Band Aid II in 1989, produced by the popular Hit Factory team of Stock, Aitken and Waterman and featuring a number of the year's most accessible artists, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Lisa Stansfield, Cliff Richard, Jimmy Somerville, Wet Wet Wet and Bros. Bananarama also appeared, making Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward the only artists to appear on both versions.

      The lyrics were rearranged for a more traditional "verse and chorus" structure, with the opening verse being split in two with a short repeat of the ending chorus being played at the end of both, followed by the "here's to you" section and a final lengthened version of the closing chorus (with commentary by Michael Buerk played over the closing in the music video).

      The song again reached #1 for Christmas, raising more money and also making it the final number-one single of the 1980s. It was also the final song to be played on Top of the Pops in the Eighties.

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  15. I'd like to share a song with you written and performed by one of my favourite bands. So here it is. DON'T take it serious)

    "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" is the title of a Christmas-themed song released by the pop-punk band Blink-182, from the punk rock compilation A Santa Cause: It's a Punk Rock Christmas, then later included on their 2005 Greatest Hits album as a bonus track. The song was originally on a one track radio promo in 1997. It was recorded with original drummer Scott Raynor. It was then released officially on the single for "Josie (Everything's Gonna Be Fine)". It was also release in 2000 on a promo CD to record company executives in Europe.

    The single charted at number one in Canada but it did not chart anywhere else. It is the only Blink-182 single to ever be number one in Canada. "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" was also the longest running number one single in Canada for 2001. It was number one for five weeks in 2001 and for one week in 2002.

    I won't be home for Christmas (Lyrics)

    Outside the carolers start to sing
    I can't describe the joy they bring
    Cause joy is something
    they don't bring me

    My girlfriend is by my side
    From the roof are hanging cickles of ice
    Their whiny voices get irritating
    It's Christmas time again

    So I stand with a dead smile on my face
    Wondering how much of my time
    they'll waste
    Oh god I hate these Satan's helpers

    And then I guess I must've snaped
    Because I grabbed a baseball bat
    And made them all run for shelter

    It's Christmas time again
    It's time to be nice to the people
    you can't stand all year
    I'm growing tired of all this Christmas cheer
    You people scare me
    Please stay away from home
    If you don't wanna get me down
    Just leave the presents and let me be alone.

    Well I guess it's not cool to freak on Christmas Eve
    Cause the cops came and arrested me
    They had an unfair advantage

    And even though the jail didn't have a tree
    Christmas came a night early
    Causes a guy named Bubba
    unwrapped my package (hot damn)

    It's Christmas time again
    It's time to be nice to the people
    you can't stand all year
    I'm growing tired of all this Christmas cheer
    You people scare me
    Please stay away from home
    If you don't wanna get me down
    Just leave the presents and let me be alone.

    Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12fk8bnxsrI

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  16. I'm sure this song is known by everyone. Some brief info about it.
    "Shake Up Christmas" is a song by the American rock band Train. It was released on 1 November 2010 as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Save Me, San Francisco. The song was written by Butch Walker and Pat Monahan.
    A music video to accompany the release of

    "Shake Up Christmas" was first released onto YouTube on 29 November 2010 at a total length of four minutes and one second. It was featured in commercials internationally as part of Coca Cola's Christmas commercial series in 2010. The single charted at number 12 on the "Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks". The single also charted at #99 on Billboard's Hot 100.

    Shake Up Christmas

    Shake up the happiness
    Wake up the happiness
    Shake up the happiness
    It's Christmas time

    There's a story that I was told
    And I wanna tell the world
    Before I get too old
    I don't remember it
    So let's December it
    And reassemble it oh yeah

    Once upon a time in a town like this
    A little girl made a great big wish
    To feel the world full of happiness
    And be on Santa's magic list

    [Chorus:]
    Shake it up
    Shake up the happiness
    Wake it up
    Wake up the happiness
    Come on you all
    It's Christmas time

    Ho, Ho, Ho
    Ho, Ho, Ho
    It's Christmas time

    At the same time miles away
    A little boy made a wish that day
    That the world would be okay
    And Santa Claus would hear him say
    I got dreams and I got love
    I got my feet on the ground
    And family above
    Can you send some happiness?
    With my best to the rest
    Of the people of the East and the West And
    Maybe every once in a while you
    Get my grandma a reason to smile
    Tis the season of smile
    It's cold but we'll be freezing in style
    Let me meet a girl one day that
    Wants to spread some love this way
    We can let our souls run free and
    She can know some happiness with me

    [Chorus:]
    Shake it up
    Shake up the happiness
    Wake it up
    Wake up the happiness
    Come on you all
    It's Christmas time

    I know you're out there
    I hear your reindeer
    I see the snowing
    Your boots have been
    I'm gonna show them
    So they will know then
    This love will grow in
    Than to live again

    [Chorus:]
    Shake it up
    Shake up the happiness
    Wake it up
    Wake up the happiness
    Come on you all
    It's Christmas time

    It's Christmas time

    [Chorus:]
    Shake it up
    Shake up the happiness
    Wake it up
    Wake up the happiness
    Come on you all
    It's Christmas time

    Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-8VCL4uSUc

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  17. Christmas Song is Mannheim Steamroller's eighth Christmas album overall and the group's fifth Christmas studio album. It was released in 2007 on CD by American Gramaphone, and features twelve Christmas songs. It is notable that Steamroller co-founder Jackson Berkey doesn't appear on the album.
    Track listing
    "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 3:42
    "The Christmas Song" (vocal by Johnny Mathis) (Mel Tormé, Robert Wells) – 3:21
    "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" (Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie) – 2:54
    "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" (Edward Hamilton Sears, Richard Storrs Willis) – 2:45
    "Feliz Navidad" (José Feliciano) – 3:51
    "Catching Snowflakes on Your Tongue" (Chip Davis) – 4:09
    "Masters in This Hall" (William Morris, Richard Storrs Willis) – 2:45
    "Above The Northern Lights" (vocal by Gene Nery) (Davis, Ed Wilson) – 4:33
    "Frosty the Snowman" (Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins) – 4:24
    "Traditions of Christmas" (music box version) (Davis) – 0:36
    "Christmas Lullaby" (vocal by Olivia Newton-John) (Davis, Wilson) – 3:59
    "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin) – 5:29
    "Hallelujah" (Remix) [Bonus Track]*

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  18. Christmas Songs By Sinatra is the name of the third studio album by the American singer Frank Sinatra. It was originally released in 1948 as a 78 rpm album set (C-167) and a 10" LP record featuring a collection of holiday songs. A compilation album was released in 1994 including the songs originally released on the 1948 album along with Christmas songs from his years recording at Columbia records.
    1994 compilation album: CD / Track listing
    "White Christmas" (Irving Berlin) - 3:25
    "Silent Night" (Josef Mohr, Franz X. Gruber) - 3:19
    "Adeste Fideles (O, Come All Ye Faithful)" (Frederick Oakeley, John Francis Wade) - 2:38
    "Jingle Bells" (James Pierpont) - 2:37
    "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin) - 2:36
    "Christmas Dreaming (A Little Early This Year)" (Irving Gordon, Lester Lee) - 3:01
    "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" (Edmund Sears, Richard Storrs Willis) - 3:34
    "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" (Phillips Brooks, Lewis Redner) - 3:07
    "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" (J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie) - 2:36
    "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) - 2:38
    Introduction by General Reynolds, Chief Of Special Services – 0:57
    Medley: "O, Little Town Of Bethlehem"/"Joy To The World"/"White Christmas" (Brooks, Redner)/(Isaac Watts, Lowell Mason)/(Berlin) – 5:18
    "Ave Maria" (Franz Schubert) - 3:31
    "Winter Wonderland" (Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith) - 2:06
    "The Lord's Prayer" (Albert Hay Malotte) - 3:36

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  19. here's the link
    http://www.the-north-pole.com/carols/index.htm

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  20. My favorite Christmas song is "O Holy Night"It composed in 1847, has become a favorite carol for solo vocal performances. Celine Dion applied the huge sound of her voice to the classic song on the 1998 collection These Are Special Times.

    "O Holy Night"

    O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
    It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
    Long lay the world in sin and error pining
    'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
    A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
    For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
    Fall on your knees

    O hear the angel voices
    O night divine!
    O night when Christ was born
    O night divine!
    O night, O night divine!

    [Choir:]
    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
    Let all within us praise His holy name
    Christ is the Lord!
    Their name forever praise we

    Noel, Noel
    O night, O night divine
    Noel, Noel
    O night, O night divine
    Noel, Noel
    O night, O holy night

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PmI1yGKvQg

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    1. "O Holy Night" is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau (1808–1877). Cappeau, a wine merchant and poet, had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem.Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight, editor of Dwight's Journal of Music, created a singing edition based on Cappeau's French text in 1855. In both the French original and in the two familiar English versions of the carol, the text reflects on the birth of Jesus and of mankind's redemption.

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  21. Joy to the World

    Author: The lyrics was written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748), also known as the "Father of English Hymnology." Watts wrote the lyrics in 1719. The melody was composed by Lowell Mason (1792-1872), a composer of church music.

    Interesting Fact: It is believed that the melody for "Joy to the World" was partly based on the work of George Frideric Handel, specifically the oratorio Messiah.

    Lyrics (Excerpt):
    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 earth, 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.

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  22. I have found a very interesting site where you can listen to 10 Alternative Christmas songs worth listening to. I would like to share it with you!

    http://theeyeballkid.hubpages.com/hub/10-Alternative-Christmas-songs

    I highly recommend it to you!!!

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