Haul out the holly . . .
Put up the tree tonight. We need one more strand of lights, so we can't finish until we get that, probably tomorrow after work. Listened to John Denver and the Muppets Christmas album while putting up the tree. I sang along to every single song on the album, and thought back to how many years I've listened to that album. A lot of years.
Last night, I put up the crèche last night while I listened to Harry Connick, Jr. Christmas music.
These two CDs have between them three of my favorite Christmas songs (though one isn't necessarily limited to the Christmas holiday). I've included links to YouTube vids so you can hear the songs. But don't watch the vids. Just listen to the music. (Okay, you can watch the first one, since it's actually from the Christmas special where I first heard "The Peace Carol.")
The Peace Carol
Words and Music by Bob Beers
The garment of life, be it tattered and torn,
The cloak of the soldier is withered and worn.
But what child is this that was poverty-born?
The peace of Christmas Day.
The branch that bears the bright holly,
The dove that rests in yonder tree,
The light that shines for all to see,
The peace of Christmas Day.
The hope that has slumbered for two thousand years,
The promise that silenced a thousand fears,
A faith that can hobble an ocean of tears,
The peace of Christmas Day.
The branch that bears the bright holly,
The dove that rests in yonder tree,
The light that shines for all to see,
The peace of Christmas Day.
Add all the grief that people may bear,
Total the strife, the troubles and care;
Put them in columns and leave them right there,
The peace of Christmas Day.
The branch that bears the bright holly,
The dove that rests in yonder tree.
The light that shines for all to see,
The peace of Christmas Day.
You can hear the song as I was introduced to it here. I got a lot of my early music education from the Muppets.
Ever since I was introduced to Supernatural, this carol has brought to mind the Brothers Winchester.
When the River Meets the Sea
Written by Paul Williams
When The River Meets The Sea
When the mountain touches the valley
All the clouds are taught to fly
As our souls will leave this land most peacefully
Though our minds be filled with questions
In our hearts we'll understand
When the river meets the sea.
Like a flower that has blossomed
In the dry and barren sand
We are born and born again most gracefully.
Thus the winds of time will take us
With a sure and steady hand
When the river meets the sea.
Patience, my brother and patience, my son.
In that sweet and final hour
Truth and justice will be done.
Like a baby when it is sleeping
In its loving mother's arms;
What a newborn baby dreams is a mystery.
But his life will find a purpose
And in time he'll understand
When the river meets the sea.
When the river meets the almighty sea.
Those of you familiar with "Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas" will know it from that Muppet production. But before that, and where I know it from, it was a duet with John Denver and Robin (Kermit's nephew). If you'd like to hear it as I originally learned it, you can find it here.
I Pray On Christams
Words & Music by Harry Connick, Jr.
This is one of my very favorites. It's got a fantastic gospel swing to the rhythm.
I pray on Christmas
That the Lord will see me through.
I pray on Christmas
He'll show me what to do.
I pray on Christmas
He'll help me understand,
And I pray on Christmas
He'll take me by the hand.
I pray on Christmas
That the sick will soon be strong.
I pray on Christmas
The Lord will hear my song.
I pray on Christmas
That God will lead the way,
And I pray on Christmas
He'll get me through another day.
I pray on Christmas
I pray on Christmas
I pray on Christmas
He'll get me through another day.
I pray on Christmas
All our problems gonna be worked out.
I pray on Christmas
God'll show us what love's about.
I pray on Christmas
To do Your will each day
And I pray on Christmas
That I'll be with You in heaven some day
I pray on Christmas
Oh, the sick will soon be strong
I pray on Christmas
The Lord will hear my song
I pray on Christmas
That God will lead the way
And I pray I really pray on Christmas
He'll get me through another day
He'll get me through another day.
And here it is for your listening pleasure.
I wish I could see Christmas through the eyes of my child.
Last night, I put up the crèche last night while I listened to Harry Connick, Jr. Christmas music.
These two CDs have between them three of my favorite Christmas songs (though one isn't necessarily limited to the Christmas holiday). I've included links to YouTube vids so you can hear the songs. But don't watch the vids. Just listen to the music. (Okay, you can watch the first one, since it's actually from the Christmas special where I first heard "The Peace Carol.")
The Peace Carol
Words and Music by Bob Beers
The garment of life, be it tattered and torn,
The cloak of the soldier is withered and worn.
But what child is this that was poverty-born?
The peace of Christmas Day.
The branch that bears the bright holly,
The dove that rests in yonder tree,
The light that shines for all to see,
The peace of Christmas Day.
The hope that has slumbered for two thousand years,
The promise that silenced a thousand fears,
A faith that can hobble an ocean of tears,
The peace of Christmas Day.
The branch that bears the bright holly,
The dove that rests in yonder tree,
The light that shines for all to see,
The peace of Christmas Day.
Add all the grief that people may bear,
Total the strife, the troubles and care;
Put them in columns and leave them right there,
The peace of Christmas Day.
The branch that bears the bright holly,
The dove that rests in yonder tree.
The light that shines for all to see,
The peace of Christmas Day.
You can hear the song as I was introduced to it here. I got a lot of my early music education from the Muppets.
Ever since I was introduced to Supernatural, this carol has brought to mind the Brothers Winchester.
When the River Meets the Sea
Written by Paul Williams
When The River Meets The Sea
When the mountain touches the valley
All the clouds are taught to fly
As our souls will leave this land most peacefully
Though our minds be filled with questions
In our hearts we'll understand
When the river meets the sea.
Like a flower that has blossomed
In the dry and barren sand
We are born and born again most gracefully.
Thus the winds of time will take us
With a sure and steady hand
When the river meets the sea.
Patience, my brother and patience, my son.
In that sweet and final hour
Truth and justice will be done.
Like a baby when it is sleeping
In its loving mother's arms;
What a newborn baby dreams is a mystery.
But his life will find a purpose
And in time he'll understand
When the river meets the sea.
When the river meets the almighty sea.
Those of you familiar with "Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas" will know it from that Muppet production. But before that, and where I know it from, it was a duet with John Denver and Robin (Kermit's nephew). If you'd like to hear it as I originally learned it, you can find it here.
I Pray On Christams
Words & Music by Harry Connick, Jr.
This is one of my very favorites. It's got a fantastic gospel swing to the rhythm.
I pray on Christmas
That the Lord will see me through.
I pray on Christmas
He'll show me what to do.
I pray on Christmas
He'll help me understand,
And I pray on Christmas
He'll take me by the hand.
I pray on Christmas
That the sick will soon be strong.
I pray on Christmas
The Lord will hear my song.
I pray on Christmas
That God will lead the way,
And I pray on Christmas
He'll get me through another day.
I pray on Christmas
I pray on Christmas
I pray on Christmas
He'll get me through another day.
I pray on Christmas
All our problems gonna be worked out.
I pray on Christmas
God'll show us what love's about.
I pray on Christmas
To do Your will each day
And I pray on Christmas
That I'll be with You in heaven some day
I pray on Christmas
Oh, the sick will soon be strong
I pray on Christmas
The Lord will hear my song
I pray on Christmas
That God will lead the way
And I pray I really pray on Christmas
He'll get me through another day
He'll get me through another day.
And here it is for your listening pleasure.
I wish I could see Christmas through the eyes of my child.