As promised, the positive counterpart.

[camwyn]

Here are ten Christmas songs I actually LIKE, with the lyrics I consider most important, where appropriate.

10. I say 'where appropriate' because one of them is the Carol of the Bells. I generally only hear this in its instrumental incarnation. Lovely piece, though.

9. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this one in December of 1864. It's worth noting that while you may have seen the lyrics before, there are two verses directly referring to the ongoing American Civil War that are no longer sung. Here's the complete lyrics.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet the words repeat,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had roll'd along th' unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound the carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn the households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bow'd my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

I'm not sure I need to say any more than that.

8. O Holy Night, lyrics by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, music by Adolphe Charles Adams, translation by John Sullivan Dwight. Specifically, this verse.

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,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

7. What Child Is This. Particularly:

Why lies He in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear -- for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.

6. Merry New York Christmas, Rob Thomas. I am perfectly capable of appreciating secular Christmas music provided it is not crap. This came out... if I'm not mistaken, this came out in 2001, which was not exactly the best year New York City has ever had. The proceeds from the sale of the single (and the album it's on) go to charity- currently the Sidewalk Angels Foundation, but I think originally it was mostly Blythedale Children's Hospital (the folks responsible for the rehabilitation of the Aguirre twins). Anyway. Rob Thomas, "New York City Christmas".

Call on your angels
Come down to the city
Let's crowd around the big tree
All you strangers who know me
Bring your compassion
Your understanding
Lord, how we need it
On this New York City Christmas

Yeah I'm sending you a merry New York Christmas
and a prayer for peace on earth within our time
Hear the sidewalk angels echo hallelujah
We understand more, now more than ever

So call on your angels
Your beaten and broken
It's time that we mended
So they don't fade with the season
Let our mercy be the gifts we lay
From Brooklyn to Broadway
Celebrate each and every day
of this New York City Christmas

Yeah I'm sending you a merry New York Christmas
and a prayer for peace on earth within our time
Hear the sidewalk angels echo hallelujah
We understand more, now more than ever
Merry New York Christmas

Call on your angels
Come down to the city
Let's crowd around the big tree
All you strangers you know me
Bring your compassion
Bring your forgiveness
Lord how we need it
On this New York City Christmas

Yeah, I'm sending you a Merry New York Christmas
And a prayer for peace on Earth
It's not too late
Yeah the sidewalk angels echo hallelujah
We understand them
We hear them say
Merry Christmas
Yes, a New York City Christmas
(Oh Christmas)
Merry New York Christmas

5. Stille Nacht (Silent Night), Joseph Mohr lyrics, Franz Gruber music. There is something very lovely about familiar songs in their original languages...

. Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar.
Holder Knab' im lockigten Haar,
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!

4. Adeste Fideles, John Francis Wade. Everything you ever wanted to know about the song can be found <a href='http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/NonEnglish/adeste_fideles.htm">here</a>. <small>Adeste Fideles laeti triumphantes, Veníte, veníte in Bethlehem. Natum vidéte, Regem Angelorum: Veníte adoremus, Veníte adoremus Veníte adoremus Dóminum</small> </lj-cut> Aaargh gotta go RL, I'm singing in the church choir and I need to leave RIGHT NOW if I wanna get parking.

Comments

[eljuno.livejournal.com]

10. I say 'where appropriate' because one of them is the Carol of the Bells. I generally only hear this in its instrumental incarnation. Lovely piece, though.

I read this, and immediately started singing it. The last time I sang it was a decade ago, and I was a Soprano. My pulled vocal chords thank you.

[prodigal.livejournal.com]

I thought it was "venite ad Bethlehem." It has been many years since I last had a hardcopy, though.

[tibicina.livejournal.com]

In that context 'in' and 'ad' mean roughly the same thing. It's the difference between 'into' and 'towards'. That said, I'm pretty sure that 'in' is correct, but it's one of those words that could easily get changed without most people really noticing, because it still scans and means the same thing.

[prodigal.livejournal.com]

Cool. :)

[lizzyrose89.livejournal.com]

5. Stille Nacht (Silent Night), Joseph Mohr lyrics, Franz Gruber music. There is something very lovely about familiar songs in their original languages...

We have to listen to this one on the last German lesson before Xmas every year - my teacher has a thing about it. Unfortunately the song is sung by scary lil boys whose balls haven't dropped yet...

Things with String!

[lwood.livejournal.com]

Apropos of nothing:

Mathematician crochets chaos (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/4099615.stm).

*big evil grin*

-- Lorrie

[tibicina.livejournal.com]

*poke* And why didn't you not guess in my lyrics quiz, since you've got two of the songs on your list? Ok, probably some silly think like not nocticing it or not having time. Details.

Also, you're right, I haven't usually see the two Civil War verses... I also usually see the verse that you give as the third verse as the last verse... weird.

[camwyn]

I'm pretty sure the full set of verses is the original poem, and that they cut the Civil War material and moved the ringing chime verse to the end when they set it to music. ANd, yeah, I didn't see your quiz.